Description

Prisoner & Family Ministry































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































LSSI's Prisoner and Family Ministry (PFM) serves those who are incarcerated, their families, and people released from prison. The goals of this programming range from maintaining or building a relationship with their children to developing life and employment skills, and returning to their community.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Re-entry Services for Returning Citizens































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Re-entry Services for Returning Citizens is a multi-faceted program that supports people released from prisonreturning citizensas they transition back into the community. Re-entry Services connect returning citizens to needed supportive assistance and helps them successfully adjust to living back in their community. All of the core components are designed to provide transitioning individuals with job knowledge and experience, a support system, and a stable life.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Information and Referral Services































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Returning citizens meet regularly with an outreach worker to create an Individualized Capacity Plan for their future. All life needs are addressed, including employment, education, housing, personal needs, and family relations.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Employment Skills School (ESS)































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































A 23-day, computer-based program, the ESS curriculum was developed by LSSI in collaboration with Southern Illinois University Work Force Development. Especially designed for returning citizens, ESS has a teacher student ratio of 1:3 and covers all aspects of employment training, from resume writing to interview skills.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Green Re-entry Opportunities (GRO)































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Working with churches and community organizations, returning citizens plant, maintain, and harvest community gardens. The harvest helps to feed their families and other families in need through local feeding programs.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Supportive Services from Local Churches































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Churches are invited to help returning citizens by providing:































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































    Hygiene kits































































































































































































































































    In-kind donations as needed































































































































































































































































    Meeting space































































































































































































































































    Individual support































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































On request, LSSI provides training for congregations interested in helping their own loved ones who are incarcerated and expanding their ministry to returning citizens in their area.




























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Mission Statement: Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) brings healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities.