PRISON FELLOWSHIP: Virginia

Transformative power
The Transformative Power of God’s Love

A little boy approached James Browning at an Angel Tree® party to ask if he too could have a gift. This child had tagged along with some friends, but unlike the other children, his parents were not incarcerated.

"We could not refuse him and gave him a gift," James says.

By Emily Harris Greene
January 3, 2017
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In Awe of Angel Tree

For one family, Angel Tree is a treasured—but sometimes heartbreaking—holiday tradition.

As the holidays approach, most children’s thoughts turn to gifts. As an adult, I am of course thinking about this Advent season, and the birth of Jesus. In all honesty, though, my thoughts are also turn to having our grown children home with us, what activities I should plan, holiday baking traditions, meal planning, how much can we fit in the course of a week?

By Martha Ackerman
December 19, 2016
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Seeking Effective Solutions for Juvenile Justice in Virginia

For youth in Virginia’s juvenile justice system, incarceration has too often meant being held in large, overcrowded facilities far away from their families and support networks. This approach has led to high recidivism rates in the state, and a lack of hope for those stuck in a cycle of crime.

By Steve Rempe
August 24, 2016
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Chef Donates 50 Dozen Cookies to Prison Fellowship

A version of this post originally appeared on the West Belmont Place website, and is used here with permission.

Jim Heigl and Tanie Guy prepare to help bake 600 chocolate chip cookies that will be shared inside prison.

Executive Chef Chris Ferrier of  the West Belmont Place Event Center in Leesburg, Virginia, opened his kitchen to volunteers from Prison Fellowship for the baking of 50 dozen chocolate chip cookies.

By Lori Stertz
May 4, 2016
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Working for a Second Chance

Based just outside of Washington, D.C., in Alexandria, Virginia, Together We Bake is more than a typical bakery.

In addition to producing granola, cookies, and other baked goods for grocery stores and restaurants in the metro D.C. area, Together We Bake creates something much more lasting—second chances for women, many of whom are attempting to reenter the workforce after a period of incarceration.

By Steve Rempe
May 3, 2016
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‘Restorative Radio’

For many family members of incarcerated men and women, the barriers to staying in contact with their loved ones behind bars can be tough to overcome.  Separated by long distances and inflexible schedules, these families ultimately lose touch with each other, depriving prisoners of the support and encouragement needed to make a break from past behavior and to successfully endure the time spent in prison.

By Steve Rempe
March 16, 2016
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Support for Justice Reform in Virginia

A pair of recently released surveys reveal broad support for proposed criminal justice reforms in the state of Virginia.

On February 10, Prison Fellowship and the Charles Koch Institute released a report showing that justice reform is a top priority for more than one-third of Virginians, with 36 percent of respondents placing it in the top five most important issues to them.

By Steve Rempe
February 12, 2016
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Prison Fellowship and Charles Koch Institute Release Results of New Virginia Public Opinion Survey on Criminal Justice

Results show Virginians support policies that improve public safety, reduce costs, and respect the human dignity of all individuals.

Lansdowne, Va and Arlington, Va. – As Virginians consider what is next for criminal justice reform, Prison Fellowship and the Charles Koch Institute today released the results of a public opinion survey on criminal justice.

By Prison Fellowship
February 10, 2016
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Angel Tree Having an Impact in Local Communities

Christmas is only a few days away, and already we are hearing great stories telling how Angel Tree is transforming the lives of men and women behind bars and their families.

In James Island, South Carolina, Angel Tree volunteers at Harbor View Presbyterian Church have been providing gifts to the children of prisoners on behalf of their parents for many years. 

By Steve Rempe
December 22, 2014
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SPECIAL OFFER: Order ‘The Special Guest’ and Support Angel Tree

Lee Allen, author of the popular book  The Special Guest: A Christmas Story, and his wife Donna Campbell Allen (the illustrator for The Special Guest) are sponsoring Angel Tree this Christmas season. The Allens‘ goal is to raise $100,000 through a promotion called the “12 Days Before Christmas: $100K Challenge.”

By Jason Bruce
December 11, 2014
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