OBK has been steadly moving forward since it’s inception in October 2013 when it met with prison ministers, social service providers and volunteers to form a planning committee to establish a reenty home for returning citizens. In 2014 the OBK Board of Directors was established and an Advisory Board named to provide further expertise in the areas of prison ministry, social services and ecumenical faith based services.
The next major milestone was the incorporation on August 25, 2014 of Our Brother’s Keepers of Southern Illinois in the State of Illinois under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act. During the next months the focus was on preparing the documents for IRS submission as a “not-for-profit” corporation.
We are please to announce that on June 25, 2015, Our Brothers’ Keepers of Southern Illinois received the IRS tax exempt status from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This qualifies OBK to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts. The work continues to find and assesss the suitability of various housing units that would provide a home like atmosphere where the returning citizens could continue his rehabilitation while working to reenter the commnunity as a productive citizen.