PRISON FELLOWSHIP EXPANDS OUTREACH TO INCARCERATED WOMEN
Acquisition of Florida-Based Daughters of Destiny Allows Prison Fellowship Greater Opportunities to Reach Women Who Are Incarcerated or Have Reentered Their Communities After Prison
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 5, 2017—Prison Fellowship® announced today it will broaden its ministry to incarcerated women through the acquisition of Daughters of Destiny. The Florida-based organization has a network of more than 800 volunteers in 26 states. Prior to this acquisition, Daughters of Destiny was founded in 2008 by a husband and wife team who have both served time in prison.
Annie Goebel, Daughters of Destiny co-founder
“Prison Fellowship helps hundreds of thousands of incarcerated men and women each year experience Christ-centered, holistic life transformation,” said James Ackerman, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship. “Acquiring Daughters of Destiny and incorporating some of their time-tested teaching and discipling methods into our approach to serving hundreds of thousands of women in our nation's prisons will help us introduce even more incarcerated women and teen girls to God's life-transforming love.”
Daughters of Destiny is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, works in 289 correctional facilities and offers ongoing assistance to more than 20,000 incarcerated and released women. The ministry equips local churches, women's groups and individuals to lead incarcerated women out of personal and spiritual brokenness by sharing the love of Jesus.
“I am so thankful God is moving Daughters of Destiny to a larger platform by joining Prison Fellowship,” said Annie Goebel, Daughters of Destiny co-founder. “As a former prisoner, I believe inside every incarcerated woman is a little girl still believing lies about her dignity and self-worth. I am honored to represent her as Prison Fellowship and Daughters of Destiny bring hope and healing to many more incarcerated women and teen girls throughout the U.S.”
Mel Goebel, a former Nebraska and Colorado state director for Prison Fellowship, founded Daughters of Destiny in South Dakota, where he also met his future wife, Annie.
Annie and her husband Mel had separately forged paths of destructive behavior at young ages, culminating in prison stints before finding new direction through personal journeys of faith. They also experienced the support, love and mentorship of Christians who accepted them despite their criminal pasts.
Prison Fellowship will integrate Daughters of Destiny's program best practices into its existing outreach to women in prison. Annie Goebel is joining Prison Fellowship as part of the transition.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
For interviews with Annie Goebel or James Ackerman, please contact Jim Forbes at (703) 554-8540 (direct) or (304) 780-5628 (cell).
ABOUT PRISON FELLOWSHIP
Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. With 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive and just society.
REMEMBER THOSE IN PRISON