Services

Hope and Change after Incarceration

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"My mindset started to change," recalled Kendrick when thinking about the time that's passed since the HandUp launch in July. "You're picking me up for work, we're never late...we're learning life skills, we didn't have life skills before, we were dependent on drugs...we have a clean mindset now."

The 2022 HandUp Program is serving 5 men at moderate to high risk of recidivation - going back to a state of incarceration - here in that state with the highest incarceration rate in the world. These gentlemen, along with their other cohort members, statistically face a 1 in 3 chance of going back to jail or prison, and a staggering 66% statistical unemployment rate for previously incarcerated people.

"I have family that helps but I feel like a burden to them," says David Chambliss, " I chose this program because I want to try and do it on my own. When you come home from jail you're starting all the way over, and when you are starting all the way over, it's so easy to go back into the old lifestyle and fall into bad habits. This program helps with housing, jobs, work ethic, and is beneficial all the way around. It's easy to fall victim and this place uplifts you."

"I'm getting the resources I'm needing, the people I need to, to get on my feet. I want to own my own business, that's my goal." says Rechail Johnson.

Johnson believes in helping others and discovering what resources are out there for men and women who have similar lived experiences. "I come back and share what resources are out there that I learn about so that we can share information. I like to come and talk to the other guys and they help me too."

Just like Rechail, Kendrick and David have goals for their careers after the program ends in December.

David: "I want to get my degree in engineering, buy a house, and have a relationship with my kids."

Kendrick: "Mr. Rechail is helping me get resources, and I want to get my TLP and drive trucks. But I need to build up my skills to that. I want to see the ball drop, the golden gate bridge!"

Each of the men feel a sense of gratitude for their participation. "Thank you for accepting someone like me into this program." says Kendrick. "I was never a church guy, but after listening to the pastor and Mr. James, they're speaking about God in real life terms. It's soul searching. Once we go to a program that helps us learn who we are, it's so inspirational. I never thought I'd be in a program where people like me. 

"The staff is talking to us and encouraging us which we all need. I'm thankful." says Rechail.

With the HandUp program here at the Christian Outreach Center, generational cycles of trauma, violence, hardship, and incarceration are broken. Minds and hearts are changed and lives are transformed. The COC is walking hand-in-hand to meet the needs of men leaving the Justice System in Baton Rouge. And this is just the beginning! 

Stay tuned for the transformative journey of David, Rechail, and Kendrick, as they continue to learn and work in the program. Their work in changing their lives isn't easy but it's easier as we cheer them along the way and give them the support they need!

Click Here to Learn More About Our Prison Re-Entry Programming

Our DoorDash Partnership Is Providing Free Groceries!

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We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with DoorDash! You may know them as your convenient access to Chick-fil-a at your front door, but with this new COC partnership they’ll be offering much more to those struggling in our community. Keep reading for details posted by local news source, BR Proud.

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A modern-day meals on wheels is coming to the most underserved communities in East Baton Rouge.

“With your paycheck, you’re killing yourself with a couple of jobs and it’s just still not stretching. So let us come along and help you,” said Christian Outreach Center Executive Director Brian Sleeth.

Areas known as food deserts have no or limited access to grocery stores. The Christian Outreach Center will soon see more relief as DoorDash becomes a key player in the problem.

“According to Together Baton Rouge, we have 75,000 residents in our community who live in an area designated as a food desert,” stated Development Director Matt Pham.

Sleeth said Baton Rouge Hispanic grocery store, Ideal Markets, will supply the food to 50 households.

“For places like North Baton Rouge or even Mid-City or downtown Baton Rouge… we want to be able to get fresh produce and food to people who have otherwise no access to it,” Sleeth explained.

Once a week DoorDash will pull up and drop off the groceries directly to your household. They say the program will run indefinitely and as long as the resources are available.

“Our job is just to be a listening ear to understand what the community needs and then to address those needs, and that’s what this program is all about,” said East Baton Rouge Parish District 5 Councilman Darryl Hurst.

Hurst is doing his part by bringing resources from Top Box to what he says is a great out-of-the-box concept.

“One option is for us to focus on snacks for the kids and the other one is to focus on actual meals actually sustained for the entire week,” he said.

“It’s to nourish someone’s physical body so that they can move themselves ultimately towards self-sufficiency,” added Pham.

With the price of living continuing to climb, they say the partnership with DoorDash was something the community really needed.

“I believe in private-public partnerships when you talk about companies giving back. If you have the resources, they’re willing to take the resources to your people at no cost to your community,” said Hurst.

“You’ve got groceries so high and gas edging toward $5 a gallon. It’s put a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t have been in these circumstances in need,” explained Sleeth.

Deliveries will begin July 1 and residents in the Greater Baton Rouge Area are invited to apply for this free service by calling (225) 377-8582 or emailing christianoutreachcenterbr@gmail.com. Emails will be followed up with a call from staff.

Interested in seeing our video segment with BR Proud? Check it out here.