Success Stories

Our Brothers’ Keepers of Southern Illinois provides a holistic, multi-faceted approach that supports a returning citizens’ transition back into the community. Full integration in the community is demonstrated by a stable lifestyle which includes the necessary identification, dignified housing, and employment with reliable income, possession of life skills, a willingness to be sober / addiction free, and strong family and faith-based relationships. We have heard of many success stories through our work in this reentry ministry and will share some of these that we have been involved with.

Literacy Success!

Janice has read over 27 biographies in addition to completing the Language Olympics literacy instructional series. We are so proud of all of our literacy students, and our volunteer instructor Colleen.

Nothing is set in stone

By: Brandon Craighead Musings

To the brother’s and sister’s living behind bars I come to you with a message of hope, inspiration and motivation.

I was once behind these same walls (Menard for 16 years) serving a life sentence that I received as a juvenile. Instead of allowing my predicament to define I instead choose to use my time to elevate myself beyond my circumstances. What I was dealing with, as you’ll doing now didn’t provide much hope for success but I didn’t or wouldn’t allow that to deter me. I lived every day of my time behind those walls planning, praying and preparing for the day that I would be released because I knew one day it would come. Never once did I believe that jail would be the end for me and those that know me will vouch for that. We all know that not much is provided to us to inspire hope so we do what we need to not lose it. Once we walk out that door we are for the most part left to fend for ourselves which in most cases leads to individuals coming back. It is incumbent upon you’ll, as it was for me, to take advantage of whatever avenue you can grasp to educate yourself, to ensure that when you do get out you can be a success.

Some may look at their situation and say what the hell is he talking about, I’m goanna die in this place, and I won’t argue with you. You have the right to believe how you want, but remember I once had the same sentence and look at me now. Nothing is set in stone and the future holds no guarantees except death.

Every last one of you’ll have a unique gift and that gift is to be and do whatever you set your mind to. There’s goanna be a lot of obstacles put in your way to block your progress but confidence and faith is essential to whatever you do in life. The system only wins if you give upand conform to their expectations. I know what I’m saying may sound far-fetched but I am a prime example as is a whole lot of dudes and ladies of where new thinking can lead you to. From Natural Life to Freedom. The only way I was supposed to leave there was in a box but instead I walked out on my own two feet.

While I was in there I constantly researched and looked for people and organizations that assist returning citizens. While there I didn’t know how I was goanna take care of myself when I got out. You would be amazed at how many organizations and program that exist out here to help. Effort that’s all that’s required.

I am praying for each and every one of you. Those I know and those that I don’t. I know the struggle you’ll is dealing with and I empathize because I lived that struggle. Keep your head up and keep the faith. Nothing is for certain and set in stone.

Faith

By Ernest Rice-Bey

There are many different ways by which one can start to make a difference in the lives of others, but the one true and most important way starts with loving one’s own self. Yes, the good that anyone does for others will cause that person to develop strength and
character, thus bringing about a change in one’s own life.

This is what I learned in prison; in order to better myself I had to become selfless and seek to make a difference in the lives of others who seemed to be struggling to find or stay on the path of what is called “doing the right thing”. Doing the right thing will cause one to be a better person inside the prison and will prepare you for when you are released. You won’t have to struggle very much if you work on yourself while in prison.

We all have our two selves: Higher and Lower Selves. The Higher Self is Justice, Mercy, Love and Right. The Lower Self is what the Higher Self is not, it breeds hatred, slander, lewdness, murder and everything that harms.

We must learn to think with our Higher mind in order to escape the illusions of the world. We are all social beings, the enjoyments, comforts and the pleasures of life are yours to claim as long as you remain within the confines of doing that which is Right. Having this mindset is what helped me during my time in prison. I enjoyed the ease and tranquility of my heart while also rejoicing in the happiness and prosperity of my neighbor. I decided that I would no longer be a part of the revolving door of recidivism, so I had to begin working on building character starting
with Faith, by first believing that it could be done.

The chains that bind us are best illusions. If we stand and use the power of will, these chains will fall like worthless rags, for Faith is stronger than the stoutest chains man can ever make.

Re-entry Program is ‘an Outlet for Good’ Ivan Carmona Interview at OBK/LSSI Reentry Opening

By Christopher Orlet, Editor of Messenger, Belleville Diocese

“If it weren’t for the re-entry program I’d be back in jail,” Ivan Carmona says.

Carmona spent seven years behind bars at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling. After his release he prayed he wouldn’t have to return to the streets of south Chicago. “I knew if I went back to Chicago I’d be right back in the same chaos,” he says.

Carmona’s prayers were answered. A social worker hooked him up with a re-entry program in Marion, Lutheran Prisoner and Family Ministry. The result has been life changing.

During those seven years of incarceration, Carmona studied botany and grew vegetables on the prison grounds. Now he grows food for local public schools and food pantries in the food deserts around Cairo as part of a green reentry opportunities program.

Carmona was one of those in attendance May 11 at the opening of a cooperative program that provides reentry services for ex-offenders. The new criminal justice ministry, sponsored by Our Brothers’ Keepers of Southern Illinois, which organizes re-entry services for the Diocese of Belleville; Lutheran Social Services, and New Life Community Church in East St. Louis, where the program is housed, is an example of three local religious groups coming together to make a difference.

“How fitting that these services are offered at a place called New Life,” says Father Christian Reuter, OFM, who along with Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman, started Our Brothers Keepers of Southern Illinois.

According to Lou Slapshak, OBK secretary, the new ministry connects ex-offenders with vital services that promote successful reintegration back into their community. Ideally, the services will give ex-offenders jobs skills and experience, a support system and a stable life.

“Without these things nearly all who are incarcerated will return to their communities without the necessary help and about half will be locked up within three to five years,” Slapshak says.

According to organizers, ex-offenders meet regularly with an outreach worker to create a plan for their future. All of their life needs are addressed, including employment, education, housing, personal needs and family relations. Services include a 23-day, computer-based program that covers all aspects of employment training, from resume writing to interview skills.

Father Reuter calls prisoner reentry–from death in confinement to freedom in society–one of the pathways to new life. “Reentry ministry makes us midwives for rebirth,” he says.

Meanwhile, Slapshak says Our Brothers Keepers of Southern Illinois is moving forward with plans to build a re-entry home in East St. Louis that will house six ex-offenders who will live as a family. “We’re providing the services first, but we will continue the search for the home,” he says.

Carmona, who has two young daughters, says the program “gave me an outlet to put my energies to something good.”