TESTIMONIALS
Incarcerated Citizen Testimonials
“I plan on setting small, achievable goals for myself and taking more responsibility for my actions.”
“I plan on reestablishing my moral values upon my release from jail. As far as my personal life is concerned, I plan on living a clean and sober lifestyle and I plan on setting small, achievable goals for myself and taking more responsibility for my actions. I’m more aware of how my actions have affected the people in my community.”
“Please just know that you are appreciated.”
“I would like to take this time to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for all of your hard work on my appeal. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. Please just know that you are appreciated.”
“I’m learning a lot about myself”
“I came to this program because I realized that I needed to make drastic changes in my way of thinking. This program is helping me to do so. I’m learning a lot about myself and I hope to utilize what I’ve learned and formulate a plan before I get out.”
“I am able to stay away from negativity and better recognize bad situations. I’ve started taking small steps and small goals.”
“I don’t have all the anger I used to carry around with me.”
“Well, I don’t have all the anger I used to carry around with me. The HOPE Program let me learn how to ask God to take it all away so that I can change my life. Now I can talk my problems out and I know if an argument occurs, I can walk away.”
“I feel like it made me a better father to my kids and a strong believer in Jesus Christ more than I was.”
“Since choosing to come to this pod, I have slowly gained a tolerance for people of other faiths and people I don’t like.”
“HOPE is a great program.”
“HOPE is a great program. It teaches you to think before you act, to weigh your decision before hand, and to care for one another to strive to benefit in everything.”
“I actually stop and think…”
“When something agitates me, I’m not so quick to act out from it. I actually stop and think about what I should say or how I should act before acting.”
“I felt accepted and felt as I was part of a family. I have received help and peace.”
“I am ready to start to give back to the community for a change. To help more than take.”
“I am not going to take life for granted anymore…”
“I plan on starting to make and keep a budget for my money when I get out. Something that I’ve never done before. I am not going to take life for granted anymore and I am going to start spending more time with my family.”
“I have been taught and now realize the alternatives of not falling back into addiction.”
“I plan on using the financial life skills that was taught in the program to better finance my spending habits. I plan on recognizing the triggers of my addiction and steer far from it, because I have been taught and now realize the alternatives of not falling back into addiction.”
“God had other plans.”
“HOPE pod was one of the best changes I have made in my life, and I am thankful for everyone that’s involved because, without HOPE, I was on a dismal path of self-destruction. But, God had other plans.”
Volunteer Testimonials
“The most rewarding part about serving as an After-Care Mentor has been the opportunity to have heart-felt conversations with people who really want to have them.”
“The HOPE Program meets them in that place…”
“The most rewarding part of working with HOPE participants is witnessing the development of men and women who will not only be able to survive, but to thrive outside of jail. For some of these people, society has failed to help them develop character. The HOPE Program meets them in that place, and begins to build up a strong foundation of character that society couldn’t give them.”
“It’s only by God’s grace that I am where I am today.”
“I was in the state penitentiary for 20 years. I’ve now been in the ministry for 28. “It’s only by God’s grace that I am where I am today.” I had a desire to change my life, and He saw that and was faithful. I tell the men I mentor, “If you trust in God, God will make a way.”
“When you leave the person you’re mentoring and he asks you ‘When are you coming back?’ instead of just saying, ‘See you later,’ you know you are making an impact in his life.”
“I’m glad to be a part of being there to help them better their lives…”
“I really enjoy connecting with people, especially with other women on the women’s POD. I believe that the content being taught is very meaningful, and very impactful. I’m glad to be a part of being there to help them better their lives … I enjoy showing them how mindfulness can be useful to them, and how learning to master their own thoughts and learning to stay grounded can improve their quality of life on the inside and the outside, and keep them from coming back to the prison.”