Volunteers of America's Correctional Programs
With the changing leaves and dipping temperatures, autumn symbolizes the periods of transition experienced by all of us. While we usually think of spring as a transitional time of rebirth, the fall can represent something of even greater substance. This is the traditional time of the harvest, when the fruits of our labors during the preceding year come to fruition. It's also a time of preparation, as we move from the time of plenty into the barren winter. This is a great metaphor for life – you work hard and strengthen yourself so that you are better prepared during times of challenge and adversity.
At Volunteers of America, we help our clients navigate their own personal periods of transition and adversity, helping them harvest their inner strength and prepare for the challenges ahead. This is especially true in our correctional programs, which we have operated for more than a century. With programs including residential re-entry centers and monitored home release, we help those people leaving the correctional system to successfully transition back to society and work to change some of the personal problems that led to incarceration in the first place. And Volunteers of America's work with the incarcerated doesn't stop at the prison gate. Incarceration takes a significant toll on families, and especially children. Many of our programs aim to preserve the relationships between children and their incarcerated parents. For those leaving prison, we want to ensure they have stable and supportive homes where they can return to build productive lives and avoid future criminal activity. For their children, we want to end the cycle of intergenerational poverty and incarceration that plagues many families.
Everyone deserves a fresh start and a positive future, but preparing for success often requires a lot of hard work and guidance. In this season of change, when we look forward to the joy and blessings of the holidays, please support us in our work to move people in need from situations of adversity to productive and happy lives.Learn more about Volunteers of America's programs to help the most vulnerable.
Mike King
President/CEO