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Three CAPA Sites Receive Funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation printer-friendly

One exciting aspect of the work in which Christian Association for Prison Aftercare (CAPA) is currently engaged is its growing partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF). AECF has consistently demonstrated a significant commitment to encourage and equip houses of worship and faith-based organizations to serve those affected by the criminal justice system. AECF carries out its work in this area through its Healing Communities model. Healing Communities is a guide that was developed for an interdenominational Christian audience. This model seeks to engage congregations in restoration and healing people in their own congregations who have been affected by crime and incarceration. It does this by transforming hearts and minds, creating a sense of welcome inclusion, reducing stigma and shame, and building networks of support that start in houses of worship and expand to the community at large. Joseph Williams, founder and president of CAPA, was among the faith-based leaders called together by AECF in the initial discussion regarding the need to create such a model.

CAPA has had the opportunity to promote this model within its community of ministry leaders for the past three years. CAPA leaders from across the country have enthusiastically embraced this very practical model. As reported in a previous article, three CAPA sites have begun to implement the Healing Communities model in their respective locations. Those sites include the National Women's Prison Project - Baltimore, MD, Northland Church - Orlando, FL and Welcome Home Ministries - San Diego, CA.

The enthusiasm and commitment of these three sites has not gone unnoticed by AECF. Earlier this year the leadership at AECF decided to offer funding to the lead organizations in these sites. Each site was given a grant in the amount of $10,000 to carry out its Healing Communities work. Because of the flexibility of the model the sites have the opportunity to develop their initiative in a way that addresses the unique needs of their respective communities.

Beginning this year, the national Healing Communities initiative will be managed through the offices of the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation (PLF) under the direction of Rev. Dr. Wilson Goode, Sr. PFL is a member organization of the Leadership Foundations of America (LFA) which is an international network of local faith-based organizations. Each leadership foundation brings together local faith and community leaders, churches, social service groups, and other organizations to tackle the most difficult problems facing the poor.

Dr. Goode served as Philadelphia's first African American mayor from 1984-1992. He currently serves as the Chairman for the Leadership Foundations of America and the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation. He is the director and organizer of the nationally acclaimed Amachi Program, a national faith-based mentoring model for children of incarcerated parents. Because of his innovative and ground-breaking work, in 2006 he received two prestigious awards: the Civic Ventures $100,000 Purpose Prize and the Philadelphia Inquirer's Citizen of the Year.

Dr. Goode's leadership will certainly enhance the work of Healing Communities as it steadily spreads across the country. CAPA is pleased to work with such a great Christian leader and with AECF, one of the leaders in the foundation community. Certainly, many congregations will be greatly blessed as a result of this very important work.

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