The Theotherapy Project :: Faith-Based Prison Ministry

The Theotherapy Project networks with some excellent ministries and organizations in Middle Tennessee that are committed to the recovery and successful re-entry of former offenders. Whether providing a highly effective mentoring program prior to release, offering individualized counseling or getting people and groups mobilized to offer very real and practical help for former offenders, these organizations provide services and resources designed to help former offenders and their families achieve success.

Leaving the Cocoon Mentoring Program

Someone defined the word “help” as the ability to empower others without enabling them. Leaving the Cocoon mentors have a passion for women who have lost their way, who have failed, or who feel unloved and unwanted. These women need a sister, a friend or a “mother” who will believe in them. At Leaving the Cocoon, mentors invite these women to see an Amighty God who will accept and love them where they are.

Vicki Harvey, Executive Director LTC

While program participants are still incarcerated, LTC offers initial life skills assessments which are made on site in prison. Bible studies are conducted for those in the program as well as opportunities provided for them to participate in field days and Holiday activities. In addition, trained lay counselors work one on one with their “mentees”. Once the participant is released from prison, trained LTC mentors help with life skills develoment, budgeting, parenting skills, self-esteem building, workshops, learning proper hygiene, linking the participant to helping agencies, provide job readiness training and help the participant learn how to make effective and wise life choices. In the words of Vicki Harvey, “Our mission is to show Christ-like compassion to the needs of the incarcerated and help them rebuild their lives outside prison. We desire to reach out to women caught in addictions and troubles. With this in mind, we are helping the newly released “butterfly” to reach her potential.” Leaving the Cocoon is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit ministry partner of the Good Neighbor Foundation, LLC. All donations to Leaving the Cocoon are tax-deductible. Link to Leaving the Cocoon.

Leaving the Cocoon Counseling Office

Malinda Wilson, MA

Leaving the Cocoon Counseling Office provides confidential counseling services to individuals, couples, families and groups. Malinda D. Wilson, MA specializes in re-entry and transitional issues for those coming out of prison as well as for their families. Whether you are dealing with depression, struggling through grief, facing single-parent and/or marital issues, trying to overcome eating disorders, domestic violence or other issues, Malinda offers highly skilled and compassionate services to those who need help with life’s challenges and will work on a sliding scale with those having financial issues. Contact Malinda via email at malinda@leavingthecocoon.net or by clicking this link: LTC Counseling

Good Samaritan Network

The Good Samaritan Network is a collaboration of non-profit, civic, and faith-based members who agree to provide certain services to individuals who are released from correctional facilities. Each member will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which spells out the nature of the partnership. These services may vary depending on location, congregation, and availability.

Faith-based, non-profit, and civic organizations are asked to join this groundbreaking project that will have the potential to help over 6,576 people who leave the Tennessee Department of Correction each year. Many of them leave with no job, no money, no family, and some without a place to live. For more information, please contact Emily O’Malley-Laursen, Good Samaritan Network Coordinator, TDOC at (615) 741-1000 ext. 8177 or via email at Emily.OMalley-Laursen@tn.gov. Link to The Good Samaritan Network

Project Return

Project Return provides a broad range of assistance and support to anyone with a juvenile or criminal record, aid in the transition from incarceration to the community to ensure a chance for success, and education to the community and clients that offenders are human beings first and offenders second. The agency’s vision is “to stop the waste of an ex-offenders lifetime and elimnate that cost to society.” Link to Project Return

The Next Door

The Next Door is dedicated to helping women in crisis, equipping them to develop lives of wholeness and hope. The Next Door addresses the physical, mental, spiritual and life skills needs of women and their children in two locations in Nashville, TN. Since May 2004, over 450 women have had the opportunity at the original downtown location to experience a six-month curriculum designed to prepare them for living independently and establishing stable families. Link to The Next Door

Matthew 25

Since 1986 MATTHEW 25 has been “helping men who are helping themselves”. Yearly, MATTHEW 25 provides over 240 men transitional housing, meals, a drug and alcohol free environment, structured programs, and referral services to help them maintain employment and independent housing. Currently, 60% of those who enter MATTHEW 25 stay at least 60 days, maintain stable employment, and move into permanent housing. Link to Matthew 25.