Learning to Live Initiative

In partnership with the Department of Corrections, Hope in Jesus Ministries has developed a faith-based re-entry component for the inmate population. The Learning To Live Initiative is a faith-based rehabilitation program taught from a Christian viewpoint. This series of instruction is designed to build fulfilled, productive citizens, and reduce inmate recidivism. The program is based on “Living Free”, a faith -based curriculum of Turning Point Ministry.

Personal Integrity I

This course begins with the assumption that all of us have to deal with addictions of some kind (substances, behaviors, or relationships). Teaching will focus on turning our faith to God to help us remove the hindrances that control us. Inmates will be encouraged that a better way of life is possible despite their giving up hope of getting better.

Personal Integrity II

Continues to address positive life-changing through a faith-based strategy. Methods of dealing with addiction and steps to sobriety are described in detail.

Decision Making

Also known as Free to Grow, this course focuses on ways to let go of the disappointments of the past so that a new future can be opened. This course touches on many areas of daily living.

Anger Management

We find many otherwise nice people behind bars who have ruined their lives because of one act in which they did not properly handle anger. This class teaches the inmate how to recognize and face anger as an emotion and how to be in control of their own anger issues.

Perseverance

Also known as Overcoming Loss and Grief, this class provides an outline for realistic expectations and processes for coping with various degrees of loss and grief. It examines the important dynamics underlying successful relationships and handling the losses in life.

Resolving Conflict

Resolving Conflict instructs participants to be peacemakers using a faith-based construct. The topics of identifying causes of conflict, resolving conflict, and causing an improved outcome following conflict are the key principles of this course.

Statistics

We surveyed inmates, gauging their agreement with certain statements before and after participating in a Learning To Live class. The subsequent data reflects the percentage of men who affirmed the statements as true.

Before learning to live

The Bible is a resource to change my life.

50%

God can change my way of thinking about addiction and overcoming setbacks.

38%

I read the Bible often.

50%

After learning to live