Pre-Release Education and Support

We believe that a change in a person's behavior begins in the heart. Without a moral and spiritual change of the heart our clients will likely return to the life they knew before incarceration, one that will lead to additional criminal activities. Our training material and workshops are based on biblical principles and examples. Our material combines both the practical and spiritual to present a balanced approach to life that encourages the women to seek not only practical growth, but spiritual and emotional growth that will come from a close relationship with God.   /files/images/womeninprison1.jpg

 /files/images/womeninprison2.jpg  Through our comprehensive pre-release classes we provide women with the truth of God's word and the spiritual and practical support needed to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Pre-Release Education and Support gives the women the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of who they are in Christ while preparing for reentry into their families and communities. 

Life Skills Education

  • Learn that they are valued and loved by God, regardless of their past.
  • Focuses on the basic and fundamental issues of self image and value.
  • Develop life skills critical to successful reentry and growth

Active Parenting Now!

  • 8 week in depth parenting eduction series offered through a partnership with COBYS Family Services.
  • Topics include increasing communication skills, building responsibility, understanding and redirecting misbehavior, character and self-esteem.

Community Reentry Class

  • Designed to prepare the women for reentry to their families and communities.
  • Develop a written plan that details their individual reentry goals and how they plan to reach them.
  • Discover their personal aspirations and dreams.

Steps to Sexual Health

  • 8 week series offered twice a year in the prison through a partnership with Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services.
  • healing, empowerment and education necessary to value and make healthier choices with their bodies.

Pre-Release Counseling

  • Provides the women with individual attention and assistance in finding solutions to problems related to reentry.
  • Opportunity to get to know the women and build a relationship that can be a source of support and encouragement as they begin to make life changing decisions and gain insight into their life situations, needs and attitudes
  • Continues through incarceration until release when reentry case management begins.

A Mother's Voice

  • New in 2006, a reading project sponsored by Lancaster County Prison and available to the Mom's in our program.
  • Read a book on tape to their child and we take the personalized story on tape along with a copy of the book to their child.
  • Designed to give Mom's the opportunity to communicate with their children in a nurturing memorable way.

Women of Courage

 

New in 2008 B.I.R.D. Ministries will be overseeing the Lancaster County Prison  women's book group " Women of Courage" . This group of 8-10 women meet once a week  for an educational interactive book study combined with videos. music and guest speakers.