Eaglevision Ministries, Inc. 814 North Washington Ave Lansing, Michigan 48906,

Eaglevision Non-profit Faith-based Community-based Social service agency Specializing in ex-offender issues Grant funded workforce development programs Partner with Capital Area Michigan Works!

Motto: Bringing Help and Hope to Individuals, Families and Communities!

Eaglevision History Incorporated in 2003 Emerged from 20 years of jail ministry at the Ingham County Jail First program 2005 for 82 ex-offender females had a 62% employment rate and 0% recidivism Strong community involvement

Eaglevision Workforce Development Programs Adult WIA program includes a female re-entry program Dislocated Worker/NWLB program WIA Youth program for high school drop-outs ages years Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (MPRI) Program, employment Youthbuild for drop-outs ages years interested in construction

GED Graduation- May 2009

Workforce Development Opportunities Advanced training in high demand Jobs College degrees and certifications Paid work experiences for youth On the job training subsidies Work related clothing and supplies Transportation, supportive services

Other Eaglevision Programs GED Completion Cyberschool Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention groups Community Service Opportunities Family Reunification

All Female SA Treatment Program

Eaglevision’s Vision Transitional housing for youth Technology based learning program Women’s shelter/transitional living program Restaurant Management Training program Protocol Project

Youth Serving at the VOA

Veteran’s Standdown 2008

Youth in Class

Youth on the Job

Christmas Shopping at Eaglevision!

Empowering Ex-offender Females L.Bouknight MD, D.Ralston BA,MA Mental Health, Alcohol/Drugs/Health Issues Employment/Training/Education Expungement Relationships/Parenting/Domestic Violence Money Management Summary/What Works?!

Common Mental Health Issues It has been recognized that the incidence of mental health diagnoses is disproportionate in the jail/prison populations Diagnoses include Anxiety Disorders including: Post traumatic stress disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Panic Anxiety/depression

Common Mental Health Issues Con’t Depression Bi-Polar (Manic-Depressive illness) Personality Disorders including borderline personality Schizophrenia Issues of sexual abuse and low self esteem ADD and ADHD

Alcohol /Drug Disorders Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol early Stunted emotional maturation Self medication of mood disorders Marijuana, amphetamines Cocaine Heroin Prescription drugs, vicodin, xanax, etc.

Fallout from Alcohol/Drugs Addiction Losses Loss of self esteem, prostitution Loss of children, protective services Loss of health, Hepatitis C, B, HIV/AIDS Loss of employment Loss of freedom, incarceration for criminal activities Loss of family Loss of housing, homelessness

Losses Continued Loss of coping skills- There is only one trick (solution) in the trick bag- drugs. Every emotion is “medicated” even the pleasant ones. “Prison” spirit “Poverty” spirit

Other Health Issues Cervical cancer Tuberculosis Hepatitis/HIV/AIDS Endocarditis Gastritis/PUD/Anemias Stroke/MI Seizures

Money, Money, Money Dysfunctional use of money related to drug addiction Using $1000-$1500/day of cocaine does little to aid understanding of budgeting and money management Distortion of the value of money Long term planning is not a part of the life of an addict or person with a “prison” spirit

Money con’t Money (paycheck) is frequently a trigger for drug relapse Dysfunctional use of money in guilty parenting Money will be spent rapidly to avoid negative use “Bad” banking and poor credit history is a barrier to checking accounts

Money Management Must be taught and re taught Guided shopping trips with lists, point out impulse shopping Budgeting with percentage guidelines for categories such as rent, food, clothing, transportation, utilities, etc. Financial workshops, Savings incentives Planning, planning, planning!

Getting Started in Re-entry Start small, incorporate as a non-profit with a simple mission Clothing closet, food kitchen, hygiene items Assistance with pre-employment steps: birth certificates, state ID’s, drivers licenses Counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment groups

Getting Started Continued Ex-offender support groups Mentoring programs for ex-offenders GED completion programs After school program for children of offenders Mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents

Getting Started Continued Grants for financing programs include federal dollars, private, & local dollars Assemble a cadre of people with different areas of expertise such as workforce development, accounting, grant writing, public relations, lobbying, therapists, & ministers Write vision and mission statements

What Works?! Relationships change behavior “Education” does little to change behavior Over use of incarceration leads to more crime because of the “breakdown of social and family bonds that guide individual away from crime, remove adults who would otherwise nurture children,

What Works Continued Deprive communities of income, reduce future income potential and engender a deep resentment toward the legal system” Lower crime rates are linked to increases in the local police force, decreases in unemployment, higher wages, & higher graduation rates

What Works Continued 10% increase in graduation rates results in a 9.4% reduction in the index crime rate and a 5-10% reduction in arrest rates through the increased wages associated with graduation Individual-level empowerment! Family-level empowerment! Community-level transformation!

What Works!