POC Ministry provides a
faith-based program of re-entry services designed to assist men coming
out of prison through the transition back to civilian life.
When a man
decides he’s ready to change and asks for help, a member of POC staff
meets him at the Jacksonville bus station on the day of his release from
prison. He’s brought to one of POC’s two transition houses, Jericho and
Victory, where he’ll reside in a comfortable residential home,
surrounded by other men who are eager to give him their support.
He
resides there for up to 10 weeks, and it is the base of operation from
which most re-entry services are provided, including clothing, food,
personal hygiene items, transportation to and from required reporting
and appointments, 12-step recovery meetings, counseling, providing for
medical needs, finding a church home, assistance in securing meaningful
employment, financial responsibility, independent living skills, and
anything else necessary to get a man back on his feet.
A POC staff
member resident leader resides in each transition house and provides
guidance and direction for the men in their new outlook on life — a
feeling of dignity and self-respect. And through it all, they continue
to pray for him and with him, showing him the awesome power of faith and
God’s love.
Following his stay at the transition house, the man is eligible to move
into Second Chance Apartments, a modest eight-plex facility, where he
can reside for up to eight months in a furnished two-bedroom apartment. A
POC staff resident leader also resides at the apartments and provides
continuing direction and support for the men residing there.
Each week starts with a Prayer Meeting on Monday morning and a “Walking
the 12-Steps with Jesus” addiction program that night. Every fourth
Friday is an Ex-Offender’s Reunion meeting and pot luck supper for
men who have come through the program to find continuing support.
