What We Do
Our purpose is to serve the formerly incarcerated who are lost, homeless, in need of food, clothing, shelter, second chances, and provide them the means and motivation to rebuild their lives. As a Christ centered, faith based, prison aftercare program, we endeavor to help our clients avoid prison returns by a renewing of their minds in Christ, via role modeling, addiction counseling, and mentoring programs. Given that 99% of our clients suffer from addictions, recovery from addictive illness is promoted, including active participation in Twelve Step programs.In the Commonwealth it is no secret there is a major drug epidemic. This has caused the prison population to become a massively growing problem. Per the Kentucky Department of Corrections Inmate Profile Data, they currently house over 23,000 inmates. Over 95% of these offenders will be released from prison. Tragically, many have been released to communities across the Commonwealth with little programming or counseling to enable them to make better and lasting choices.As a result of Prodigal Ministries’ encouragement and support, clients will be better equipped to cope with the daily stresses of life, refrain from substance abuse and avoid the cycle of criminal activity to meet their needs. This, in turn, helps their children and contributes to ending the generational cycle of incarceration. Without significant intervention, more than two-thirds of offenders are likely to return to prison because they are not equipped to cope with life in our society.Positive, supportive re-entry is in the best interest of the community with respect to public safety, a more fully employed population, a decrease in substance abuse activities, and decrease in crime rates. With proper support, guidance and social networking, individuals returning from incarceration can contribute great value to the community.
Second Chances
We believe in second chances! Prodigal’s re-entry program helps to increase public safety, lower taxes, revitalize communities and help stop the generational cycle of addiction, crime and incarceration. Our intent is to give every person a feeling of self-belief, confidence and self-worth so they can come to realize their full potential. We believe every human being is priceless, both to God, and to society. On average, a client’s typical stay is 3-6 months, while a year long commitment or more, is of much more benefit to them. It is quite amazing when you watch the broken take all that they learn, along with all that they are, and put all the pieces together, and begin to rebuild their lives. Miracles are not out of the ordinary at Prodigal Ministries, and we are blessed beyond measure to be a part of all that God does with just a few mustard seeds of faith!
Lifestyle Needs
We believe the difference maker for Prodigal Ministries is our four avenues of approach in providing healing and hope to our clients. Specifically, we address their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs within our programs and transitional living homes. For the most part, our clients are not well due to drug and/or alcohol addictions, and have made poor choices – which are often generational. We have found that client advocacy, accountability and support in a safe and secure environment, brings transformation that is undeniable. Our clients in four transitional have much freedom, with just the right amount of love, discipline and guidance to encourage them to keep going forward to achieve their goals. True transformation begins at the point of reconciliation with Christ.
Stories of Success
In 28 years’ time, Prodigal Ministries has touched more than 900 lives. The success stories we have included here are such a small representation of the lovely people we are privileged to call friends and forever family. You should know that as each of these much loved former clients muster up the courage and faith to continue going forward, they are also making a tremendous difference in the world and in the communities we live in!
Prodigal is faith-based, but will, and does, work with anyone who has a true desire to change their life. What our program achieves makes a significant impact in the lives we touch. We have found the recidivism rate for those who choose to embrace all Prodigal has to offer, is significantly lower than the state average.
Not only does Prodigal make a difference in the lives of our clients, but also in reducing the crime rate, and likewise, reducing financial debt for taxpayers across the Commonwealth.