KEYSTONE MINISTRIES (MS)

Program Description
Keystone Ministries is a reentry aftercare program that was established to address the multiple needs of former offenders by focusing on helping the total person. Keystone is a self-contained program set up to be non-threatening both socially and economically; it is designed to retrain up to 50 former offenders and/or parolees. By using a network of departments, Keystone attempts to educate, support, and train the individual while helping him develop relationships with staff members and the community at large. The program's multiple components include church, family services department, educational department and vocational department.

The target population is nonviolent men who show an interest in Christian values and are willing to work with the program, including drug and alcohol treatment. Potential clients hear about the program through word-of-mouth from other inmates; in some cases, jail and prison staff use Keystone. In several cases, Keystone has been chosen as an alternative sentence to prison. The application process begins with a letter to the program from the inmate and includes a thorough background check and personal interview.

Keystone Academy , the entry point into the program, is the place where clients begin to identify the life skills necessary to change their habits and behavior patterns to reenter society successfully. The program begins immediately after release and lasts for 60 days. During that time, Keystone transfers skills, knowledge, and techniques to the clients utilizing daily 12-step support groups, personal counseling, and religious instruction and discipleship in order to help them become productive citizens. In the Academy the individual is provided with all meals and lodging; an educational director and vocational director oversee his progress. Also, clients undergo apprenticeship training through which they learn marketable skills, learn to deal with personal finances, and study for the GED, if necessary.

Program Goals
Keystone's mission is to assist newly released former offenders as they reenter society by enabling them to overcome their addictions and live clean and sober.

Networking, Partnering, and Collaboration

Though many of the departments are self-contained, many outside organizations, churches, and individuals actively support Keystone's efforts. These include local grocery stores that donate food as well as several 12-step programs. Also, Keystone maintains an excellent rapport with local law enforcement agencies that are used in an advisory capacity.

Outcomes
Since picking up its first client on May 1, 2002, Keystone reports that 22 former offenders have participated in the program. The organization is tracking its clients' progress and will continue to collect data as the program grows.

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