Look back at every major transition in your life— good or bad— and it probably has more to do with a PERSON than an “raw” decision.

Or, to say it another way, PEOPLE are a profound influence on our lives.

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Here’s why:

God is relational AND we are created in His image. That means we are relational beings…

… and we weren't designed to “do life” alone.

❤️‍🔥

Relationships are an accelerator when it comes to re-entry, too…

So, we try to keep our graduates connected to OTHER graduates, others who’ve walked the same terrain, who have figured out some things AND ALSO are working on others.

⭐️

Out of prison?

One of the biggest factors we’ve seen in who makes it and who doesn’t is sobriety— get rid of the addiction.

Another big factor?

Relationships— surround yourself with people who are moving in the direction you want to go. Don’t even TRY to swim against the stream. Find a current you can stay in and keep moving.

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For more info:

Call 205-780-6211 or visit the following links.

Shepherds Fold = www.ShepherdsFold.org

Apply to become a resident = www.ShepherdsFold.org/apply

Discover ways to get involved = www.ShepherdsFold.org/help

Donate to the ministry = www.ShepherdsFold.org/donate

Prison re-entry (in fact, any kind of personal development) is hard if you think you need to be perfect in order to make progress.

But that’s not how it works.

We don’t need to be “perfect.” We just need to “tip the scales” in a positive direction.

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In time, the weight accumulates, momentum grows, and we accelerate our progress forward…

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Here are a few things that “tip the scales” in your favor—

(And, pro tip: the addiction issue = THE magic bullet that takes many men out. Pay attention to it. Deal with it.)

💥💥💥

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For more info:

Call 205-780-6211 or visit the following links.

Shepherds Fold = www.ShepherdsFold.org

Apply to become a resident = www.ShepherdsFold.org/apply

Discover ways to get involved = www.ShepherdsFold.org/help

Donate to the ministry = www.ShepherdsFold.org/donate

Sometimes people forget that “the free world isn’t free.” That is, you must literally consistently choose your freedom— and content for it.

Take the Children of Israel, for instance…

… they found themselves free from slavery yet complained— and relished how great their days of slavery were…

Um. No.

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The “good ole’ days” weren’t so good. In fact, they were the environment we prayed to get out of…

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Such is the case with prison re-entry.

It’s easy, when you get out, to forget how good you actually have it.

And to forget how the hassles you handle now ARE THE VERY things you prayed for in the past.

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In this episode we talk about four more barriers to re-entry:

5️⃣

6️⃣ The Sentence = creates a record that eliminates some jobs and future opportunities

7️⃣ Addiction = = dealing with the root issues, lest the bad fruits continue returning and creating more chaos— is the #1 reason for re-offending

8️⃣ Change = the shift to the “free world” is abrupt— especially with the pace of change in society— you return to a different world than than one you left

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For more info:

Call 205-780-6211 or visit the following links.

Shepherds Fold = www.ShepherdsFold.org

Apply to become a resident = www.ShepherdsFold.org/apply

Discover ways to get involved = www.ShepherdsFold.org/help

Donate to the ministry = www.ShepherdsFold.org/donate

Prisoners face specific barriers when they transition into the “free world.” We mention them NOW, because…

1️⃣ The recidivism rate is astronomically high (i.e.., 65-70% return within 5 years), and

2️⃣ The barriers are all predictable— if we know what they are, we can make a plan to navigate them.



So, let’s break them down. Here are a few…

 #1, Expectations = felons expect one thing from the family & friends while they expect another… leading to conflict

⛺️ #2, Housing = = must have a “safe place to land” away from the hurts, habits, and hangups of the past

🚗 #3, Transportation = = vital to getting to and from work, home, probation officers, and more

🪪 #4, Identification = = required to begin work, but most must “rebuild” their documentation from scratch

Note: you can navigate ALL of these…

… but it’s helpful to know what they are, so you can make an intentional plan and begin living by design instead of default.



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For more info:

Call 205-780-6211 or visit the following links.

Shepherds Fold = www.ShepherdsFold.org

Apply to become a resident = www.ShepherdsFold.org/apply

Discover ways to get involved = www.ShepherdsFold.org/help

Donate to the ministry = www.ShepherdsFold.org/donate

Prison re-entry is a task like no other…

… because you deal with imperfect people in an imperfect society who navigate their way from one imperfect world to a completely different imperfect world.

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Or, to say it another way: the “free world” isn’t like life behind bars. There are different rules, different expectations, and different ways of navigating each…

… and without a support system in place, 65-70% of previously incarcerated persons find their way back to prison within 5 years of release.

😳

Enter Shepherds Fold.

We “do” transformation from “the inside-out.” Because re-entry is FAR MORE than just a change of address from inside the prison to outside in the free world…

… it requires an internal personal shift.

💥

Let’s talk about it.

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For more info:

Call 205-780-6211 or visit the following links.

Shepherds Fold = www.ShepherdsFold.org

Apply to become a resident = www.ShepherdsFold.org/apply

Discover ways to get involved = www.ShepherdsFold.org/help