Stay Current with the latest Project RETURN News & Events
Learn about the Vow to Succeed Program
A client's view of the Annual Banquet
Reflections on the Annual Banquet
Pictures from the Annual Banquet
Learn about the The New Man Project
Read the Employment Update
Read about the Golf Tournament
Partnering with Vow to Succeed Program
Innovative Program Helps Youth and Adults Focus on Healthy Relationship Building
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $1.7 million grant renewable for up to three years to continue and expand the successful Vow to Succeed Program through the Center for Self-Sufficiency. This program was first developed in 2006 through a 5-year, $5.5 million federal grant in support of the Healthy Marriage Initiative, which was established to create recognition and awareness of the importance of positive relationships through outreach and community educational programming.
“We are very pleased to receive the funding for our continued efforts in this area,” says Angela Turner, president and CEO of the Center for Self Sufficiency. “The work we do, in collaboration with our partner agencies in the greater Milwaukee area, provides essential support for youth and adults in incorporating healthy relationships and marriages into their lives and fostering economic stability.”
The Center for Self-Sufficiency works with faith- and community-based organizations as well as schools to provide classes to youth, singles and married couples in the areas of healthy relationships, marriage preparation, marriage enhancement and teen pregnancy prevention.
“Project RETURN is very excited to be a partner in this continuing initiative,” says Wendel Hruska, Executive Director of Project RETURN. “The partnership and collaboration that is developed with not only the Center for Self Sufficiency but the other partner agencies will be invaluable to us and our clients. We are extremely honored to be a part of this collaboration.”
The Center for Self-Sufficiency will work with more than a dozen partners, and appreciates their support and the support of Eloise Anderson in particular. As Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, she was instrumental in developing a partnership between the Department of Children and Families and CFSS for this project to improve services to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-eligible families and to create an effective domestic violence and child maltreatment service network.
With this funding, the Center’s Vow to Succeed will continue offering a variety of programming in the community, from full-day workshops to retreats and evening classes. All programming is free and open to the public. For more information on the Center for Self-Sufficiency and its Vow to Succeed program, including educational topics, upcoming events, community partner locations and how to get involved, visit the Center for Self-Sufficiency or call (414) 332-0050.
Through the Eyes of a Client
On October 22, 2011, Project RETURN’s 31st Annual Celebrate the Return was hosted by Marquette University. The event was a great success, celebrating 31 years of service to the community while sharing the successes and challenges of prison ministry with volunteers, supporters and past clients. Below is a letter received at Project RETURN shortly after the event from a client of Project RETURN sharing her thoughts.
Dear Project RETURN Staff:
I wanted to take a moment to extend my gratitude for the recent invite to your 31st Anniversary Celebration but even more importantly for your hard work and dedication to such a necessary and important cause.
As a current offender, incarcerated here at Milwaukee Women’s Correctional Center, I can attest to how easy it is to feel overwhelmed, hopeless, forgotten, and frustrated during confinement, especially as my release date approaches. Listening to the speakers throughout the evening’s event on the 22nd brought me a certain degree of comfort and assurance about what lies ahead. To know there are not only people out there who genuinely care about inmates but who work tirelessly to help make our transitions back into society smoother is truly amazing and encouraging. You all are miracle workers!
Back in March I came to Project RETURN from the Milwaukee Women’s Correctional Center where I was able to utilize your services to secure employment with a local company. I will continue to work there upon my release and because of my job I have had the opportunity to save some money for my re-entry into society, as well as learn new job skills and to meet some great individuals.
I have been in prison for four years and currently down to double digits of my count-down, only 96 days to go! Please expect a phone call from me upon my release. I feel it is important for me to give back and I would love, Love, LOVE the opportunity to volunteer for your organization.
Thanks so much to each and every one of you for all you’ve done and continue to do.
Most Sincerely,
Megan
(name changed for anonymity)
Reflections on "Celebrate the Return" by Rachel Muck
Project RETURN’s “Celebrate the Return” benefit was a truly inspirational and successful occasion due to all who attended. The event was hosted at Marquette University on Saturday October 22nd, 2011, with the help of Marquette Professor and Project RETURN Board Member Dr. Ed de St. Aubin.
The celebratory night included a silent auction of an array of donated Packer pictures, handcrafted items by inmates, and gift certificates to a variety of Milwaukee locations.
I was honored to be a part of the rousing conversation and opportunity to volunteer along with three other Marquette seniors, and to be a part of such a wonderful event.
Throughout the evening we were blessed with the stories and courage of the men and women who have survived the hardship of incarceration as a result of their bad decisions, not being bad people. Keynote speaker, and former Green Bay Packer, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, along with other noted speakers, such as Project RETURN Executive Director Wendel Hruska, stressed the fact that we are the ones capable of supporting these men and women to regain their confidence and ability to live a life of prosperity and overcome the challenges they’ve faced.
As a first time attendee of such an event, I was amazed at the faithfulness these men and women have found through their time in prison, such as the Lord says, “...I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:35-36). These men and women have shown such perseverance in correcting their wrongs and becoming healthy, new, and strengthened members of society.
If the people involved in Project RETURN could open my eyes in one night, I can’t even imagine what progress and support can be accomplished in a whole year. I look forward to working on further projects and services with Project RETURN.
*****
Note: Rachel is currently a senior at Marquette University, scheduled to graduate in December, 2011.
Scenes from Celebrate the RETURN
There is a New Man in Town
Project RETURN is excited to be partnering with a unique ministry in the Milwaukee area called The New Man Project. Its purpose is to provide support, education, training, and employment opportunities for “released citizens” from prison, with the objective of reducing recidivism, stabilizing families, decreasing homelessness, and improving public safety.
This will be accomplished by opening a men’s resale shop, selling items such as hunting and fishing gear, tools, hiking and back packing equipment, fitness and other sporting goods. The store will also have an artisan area where products made by released citizens will be sold, including new and repaired furniture, turned bowls and wood carvings.
In addition, there will be classes offered by local craftsmen and business professionals. They will impart their knowledge and help develop the skills necessary in those returning from incarceration, so they can be competitive in today’s marketplace.
The desired goal is to create opportunities for released persons to obtain sustainable employment, so they can become productive members of society, or as Psalm 68:6 states, "…He leads prisoners out of prison into productive lives."
If you would like more information about The New Man Project, donate items or equipment to the resale shop and training centers, or become a ministry partner, please visit The New Man Project website, or contact Mike Oberbrunner via email at mike@thenewmanproject.com or phone (262-442-5889).
Employment Update
We are excited that 110 Project RETURN clients found employment in the first six months of 2011!
Employers in a wide variety of fields, such as auto part delivery, landscaping, and home construction, are pleased with the positive attitudes, and quality of work provided by our clients.
Our staff of Andre, LaVealea, Teri and Brian diligently worked in developing resumes, making employer contacts, and referrals. With these efforts, our clients such as Bradley, Curtis and Monti are developing stories of the success of people coming out of prison.
Your ongoing support helps to make this happen.
Check back often in Success Stories, as some of our clients share their encouraging stories with you
Annual Golf Tournament
On July 22, 2011, Project RETURN was the sponsored charity at the Elmbrook Men’s Ministry Golf Outing. This is the second year in a row that Project RETURN has been the sponsored charity. This year, instead of hosting two separate outings, Project RETURN combined the two. The result was the largest golf outing ever associated with Project RETURN.
This event, graciously hosted by Western Lakes Golf Club in Pewaukee, boasted 76 golfers – 19 separate foursomes. In attendance were members from Elmbrook Church, supporters of both Project RETURN and Elmbrook Church, staff and volunteers.
The event was sponsored by 39 local organizations who sponsored holes, the driving range and the beverage carts, while also donating products for the goodie bags provided to each golfer.
Participants in the event endured an hour long rain delay. Despite the wet start, when golf began the clouds parted and participants were able to enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable round of golf, one with a purpose. Participants met and talked with staff, clients and volunteers from Project RETURN to discuss the mission and how they could get more involved. Participants purchased raffle tickets for wonderful prizes while also bidding on items in a silent auction.
Project RETURN would like to thank all those involved in making this event possible. We would also like to thank Western Lakes Golf Club for being such gracious hosts and Elmbrook Men’s Ministry for their continued support. We are looking forward to more partnerships in the near future.