The ministry operates on a shoestring budget, the majority coming from individuals and businesses, with a few grants from foundations. There are only three paid staff people (one part-time). The heart and soul and backbone of the ministry are the four full-time members of the continuing services staff who earn a modest stipend from the Ministry. They all came into the program from prison and dedicate one year of their lives to serve POC. Here are some of the ways you can help us accomplish our program.
Jobs
Our guys are good, hard, dependable workers with good work skills in construction, masonry, carpentry, repair and maintenance, lawn care, restaurant, warehouse and similar type work. If you know of any work available and are looking for a good, hard, dependable worker, please call the office at (904) 358-8866.
Household Items, Clothes
Our men arrive to the ministry on the day of their release from prison with only the clothes they are wearing. We keep a clothes closet with decent and presentable items in all sizes to help outfit our men.
We also have need of household items for our transition homes and for helping out men who are graduating from the program and going off on their own. Appliances, furniture, housewares, electronics and other household items are all appreciated.
Toiletries and Cleaning Products
We welcome any donations of items the men can use for personal grooming (soap, shampoo, shaving cream, deodorant, etc) as well as for cleaning the homes (laundry detergent, dish detergent, bleach, cleaners, etc).
Sponsorship
You can help reduce crime in Jacksonville “One Man At A Time” by sponsoring one ex-prisoner through our award-winning program. Sponsorship includes:
• Costs of his lodging and food for the 12-week stay in one of our transition houses
• Cost of transportation for him to job interviews and probation appointments
• Cost of his participation in our 12-step recovery program
• A Bible given to him upon graduation
Sponsorship may be paid as $900 upfront or $300 during each of the three months the man is in the program. We also welcome companies or individuals who want to join together to sponsor a man (i.e., two companies each pay $150 per month; or four friends each pay $75 per month).
Donations
Donations of any amount are welcome at all times. Please contact our office at 904-358-8866 to donate or send your check made payable to POC Ministry to PO Box 28159, Jacksonville, FL 32226. All donations are tax deductible.
