After serving more than twenty years Victor* was released from prison. With no ID, no phone, and no familiarity with the internet or modern living, he found himself sleeping in an empty building without food or a plan. He considered returning to what was familiar, but having come from a rough neighborhood this would not have been best for him. Victor needed immediate services to help him transition back into society.
Victor approached a pastor, sharing his plight of having no food or money, having spent his last bit of cash on transportation. The pastor gave him $20 and a business card for Love In the Name of Christ of Montgomery County (LINC MoCo).
The next day, Victor arrived at the LINC MoCo office. Through the intake process, we discovered that Victor was a veteran who had served our nation. He was diagnosed with PTSD, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and struggled with depression. He was desperate and needed immediate help. We quickly connected him with an organization that serves veterans. They were able to provide him with his veteran’s status, an ID card, housing, work, and a supportive community.
When Victor was released, he had no family, community, or connections, putting him at great risk of returning to prison. In the United States, recidivism rates are among the highest in the world, and over 40% of individuals return to prison within the first year. Victor’s story is a powerful example of how the church, in partnership with Love INC MoCo, can bridge the gap between incarceration and freedom.
It is crucial to have available resources for men and women coming out of correctional facilities. The church is uniquely positioned to offer people like Victor a second chance. Love INC of Montgomery County fills the gap by asking the right questions, identifying the next steps, and connecting individuals to the right church, community faith organizations, and government services.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim for the prisoners and recover of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Luke 4:18
We have a special obligation to serve those who have served our nation. Veterans need physical, mental, financial, and emotional help. If you know anyone coming out of incarceration or veteran in need, please connect them to a local church, LINC MoCo, and other resources to help integrate them into the community and prevent a return to prison.
*Names and images used are fictitious.
