Released and Restored

A Re-Entry and Restorative Justice Ministry offering restoration and healing to

Ruth Karlsson - Executive Director

Phone - 402 806 - 0565

e-mail: ruth@releaseandrestored.org

Mission Statement: To provide inmates and ex-offenders access to the tools and support systems they need to learn how to live moral, ethical, and legal lives in our communities; how to restore family relationships harmed or broken by incarceration; and to renew their lives.

Our goal is two-fold:

1. Assisting ex-offenders in their efforts to lead a life of crime behind and become contributing members of our communities;

2. Public Safety

Our communities are safer when fewer crimes are being committed.

Fewer crimes are committed when ex-offenders who have been released from prison don't commit new crimes.

Ex-offenders are less likely to commit new crimes when they have the skills necessary to live moral, ethical, and legal lives within our communities.

In Matthew 25, Jesus gives His followers a practical illustration of what being in ministry is all about.  He talks of the "last of these".  Statingthat what they do to the "least of these" is those in prison.

This ministry provides a unique opportunity for everyone to be in ministry, for everyone to put their faith into action.

There are so many ways you can be involved.

Pray for this ministry.

Donate clothing household items, furniture, paper, ink, the study books we use;

Become a volunteer, we'll teach you how;

Provide transportation to families of inmates for visitation.

Mentor an ex-offender practically and spiritually, encouraging him or her to live a moral, ethical and legal life.

Invite us to do a study with your group to learn more about the exciting opportunities to serve in this ministry.

Support this ministry financially, by becoming a regular monthly donor, or with a one-time gift.

Our Ex-Offender Re-entry Program will provide the following opportunities for ex-offenders to learn those skills:

1. Life-skills that teach the following skills: good decision making, conflict resolution, budgeting, goal setting;

2. Employment Resource Center that;

- Teaches application and resume preparation,

- teaches interview skills,

- provides connections to employers who are willing to hire ex-offenders,

- teaches good employee skills such as: timeliness, good worth ethic, attention to detail, integrity,

- provides connections to other professionals who can teach specific job skills such as: carpentry, medical transcription, carpet-laying;

3. Support groups following the AA 12-step/sponsor model; and

4. Mentor programs where mentors make a minimum one year commitment to mentor an ex-offender before and after release.

Success is Safer Communities and Restored Lives

Restoration occurs when criminal thinking has been replaced with a desire to live a moral, ethical, and legal life in the community.