Starting a Transitional Living Program for Ex-Offenders: A Guide by Shelter From the Storm
Shelter From The Storm
How to Start
a
Transitional Living Program for Ex-Offenders
Jeffery Cobb, Director, Shelter From the Storm, Inc
.
Background
Jeffery Cobb, Director
Bethel SDA Church, Gainesville, Florida
◦
Vision of Prison Ministries director, Nathan Edwards to
establish a transitional program for ex-inmates who were
ministered to while incarcerated.
◦
Program initially established Under Prison Ministries
Department of church
Opened on November 1
st
2001 in rented House in
East Gainesville neighborhood
Became an independent ministry (Not-for profit
corporation)
Eventually purchased house
Expanded to women’s program
Lawn Service
Thrift Store
Getting Started
Assemble team of people who will serve as board
members for the organization
◦
Desirable for the director of the program to be an
ex-offender or ex-addict to best relate with the
residents
◦
Active church members with passion for soul-winning
◦
Individuals who are willing to do the actual work of
making the program operational
◦
Sacrificial in their commitment (willing to work for
free)
Develop plan to incorporate as a not-for-
profit organization
◦
Helpful in raising funds and getting grants
◦
Required for establishing 501 c 3 status with IRS.
See IRS website for details
(
www.irs.gov/charities/charitable)
◦
Requirements differ from state to state on how
to incorporate
◦
In Florida, Articles of Incorporation must be filed
which include by-laws
Getting Started
Finding a Facility
Understand local laws and ordinances regarding communal living.
◦
In Gainesville, FL there are restrictions on the number of unrelated
persons living in the same house
◦
In the unincorporated areas around Gainesville (Alachua County)
there wasn’t a restriction
Halfway house
◦
We chose to not designate the house as a “half-way” house
◦
Required additional regulation by state agencies
◦
We are not set up to provide services that would normally be
provided in a halfway/transitional living facility
◦
We provide a home with a spiritual environment and the
requirement to attend continuing Bible studies
Finding a facility
Neighborhood selection
◦
Important to locate area that is not known for drug
activity
Start small
◦
3 bedroom 2 bath can accommodate up to 5 residents
(House manager and 4 residents)
◦
Office space (if possible at facility)
Rent or Buy
◦
We rented for 3 years to get established, then
purchased
◦
If someone wants to donate a house to the ministry
that’s great
Funding
House is the biggest initial expense in the program
Solicited funding from local church and church
members
◦
Bethel allocated a monthly amount to fund housing and
utilities
In order to secure grants and funding from other
sources it’s best to apply for 501-c 3 status from the
IRS (separate from SDA Church either locally or at
Conference level)
Fundraising Activities
◦
Visiting different churches and talking about the program
and it’s needs
Residents donations for room and board
ASI-Adventist Service and Industries
Became a member of ASI which is an
organization of Adventist business people and
organizations that provide funding for projects
around the world
ASI has a national organization and union-level
organizations (SFS is affiliated with ASI-
Southern Union)
Received over $25,000 in funding from ASI
(national and Southern Union) over the years
Request funding on a regular basis through
application process (asiministries.org)
Supporting Business
Established businesses to support SFS
Lawn Service (ASI Start up funds)
◦
Offered employment to residents
◦
Provided source of funding for the program
Thrift Store (ASI Start up funds)
Furniture delivery service
SDA Organizational Support
NAD Personal Ministries
Southern Union Prison Ministries
Southeastern Conference Prison Ministries Director
Florida Conference Prison Ministries Director
Recruiting residents
Chaplains in correctional facilities
Local prison ministries leaders
Church members
Through website inquiries
Conclusion
Questions?
Contact Information
◦
352-336-7462
Establishing a transitional living program for ex-offenders involves assembling a committed team, incorporating as a not-for-profit organization, understanding local laws, and finding a suitable facility. This comprehensive guide outlines key steps and considerations for setting up such a program. From initial planning to navigating legal requirements and neighborhood selection, it provides essential insights for creating a supportive environment for individuals re-entering society post-incarceration.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Shelter From The Storm How to Start a Transitional Living Program for Ex-Offenders Jeffery Cobb, Director, Shelter From the Storm, Inc.
Jeffery Cobb, Director Bethel SDA Church, Gainesville, Florida Vision of Prison Ministries director, Nathan Edwards to establish a transitional program for ex-inmates who were ministered to while incarcerated. Program initially established Under Prison Ministries Department of church Opened on November 1st2001 in rented House in East Gainesville neighborhood Became an independent ministry (Not-for profit corporation) Eventually purchased house Expanded to women s program Lawn Service Thrift Store Background
Assemble team of people who will serve as board members for the organization Desirable for the director of the program to be an ex-offender or ex-addict to best relate with the residents Active church members with passion for soul-winning Individuals who are willing to do the actual work of making the program operational Sacrificial in their commitment (willing to work for free) Getting Started
Develop plan to incorporate as a not-for- profit organization Helpful in raising funds and getting grants Required for establishing 501 c 3 status with IRS. See IRS website for details (www.irs.gov/charities/charitable) Requirements differ from state to state on how to incorporate In Florida, Articles of Incorporation must be filed which include by-laws Getting Started
Understand local laws and ordinances regarding communal living. In Gainesville, FL there are restrictions on the number of unrelated persons living in the same house In the unincorporated areas around Gainesville (Alachua County) there wasn t a restriction Halfway house We chose to not designate the house as a half-way house Required additional regulation by state agencies We are not set up to provide services that would normally be provided in a halfway/transitional living facility We provide a home with a spiritual environment and the requirement to attend continuing Bible studies Finding a Facility
Neighborhood selection Important to locate area that is not known for drug activity Start small 3 bedroom 2 bath can accommodate up to 5 residents (House manager and 4 residents) Office space (if possible at facility) Rent or Buy We rented for 3 years to get established, then purchased If someone wants to donate a house to the ministry that s great Finding a facility
House is the biggest initial expense in the program Solicited funding from local church and church members Bethel allocated a monthly amount to fund housing and utilities In order to secure grants and funding from other sources it s best to apply for 501-c 3 status from the IRS (separate from SDA Church either locally or at Conference level) Fundraising Activities Visiting different churches and talking about the program and it s needs Residents donations for room and board Funding
Became a member of ASI which is an organization of Adventist business people and organizations that provide funding for projects around the world ASI has a national organization and union-level organizations (SFS is affiliated with ASI- Southern Union) Received over $25,000 in funding from ASI (national and Southern Union) over the years Request funding on a regular basis through application process (asiministries.org) ASI-Adventist Service and Industries
Established businesses to support SFS Lawn Service (ASI Start up funds) Offered employment to residents Provided source of funding for the program Thrift Store (ASI Start up funds) Furniture delivery service Supporting Business
NAD Personal Ministries Southern Union Prison Ministries Southeastern Conference Prison Ministries Director Florida Conference Prison Ministries Director SDA Organizational Support
Chaplains in correctional facilities Local prison ministries leaders Church members Through website inquiries Recruiting residents
Conclusion Questions? Contact Information 352-336-7462
