The Program
The JUMPSTART Experience
In cooperation with our donors, churches and the community, JUMPSTART disciples current and former prisoners and assists with re-entry to society. We accomplish our mission through Community Partnerships to address the spiritual, educational, employment, healthcare, housing, and family relationship needs.
The Inside Program introduces the person of Jesus Christ to participants and helps them discover a greater purpose for their lives.
“God drew me to himself to hear His word with what He knows I love so much – the guitar. I know the absolute truth of His word and I was saved in 1997. I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to be a part of a program that is designed to help us discover God’s purpose for our lives as well as prepare us for re-entry into society one day. There is no other program like JUMPSTART and it has been very helpful to many of us in a variety of ways.”
Rob Carter, Current Inmate
The distinguishing attributes of our program are:
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A 40-week intensive discipleship process
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Unique, peer-to-peer assessments that ensure accountability and drive growth
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Class curriculum focused on transforming lives through: worship, fellowship, discipleship, mentoring, serving others, living with purpose, and re-entry education.
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A stress on daily living out our core values of accountability, responsibility, and submission to authority
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1,000 participants enter the program annually, with a 40% average successful completion rate. Those who drop out and don’t complete the 40 weeks are welcome to take it again the following year. But of the 400 who DO FINISH, they have a 96% success rate of staying out of prison.
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Over 100 well-trained volunteers facilitate classes on a weekly basis
JUMPSTART Inside Program
JUMPSTART Outside Program
The Outside Program provides a safe and stable environment for people in transition after incarceration. This 12-month, Christ-centered program offers our participants:
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Low-cost, safe and stable housing
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Individual case management
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Access to physical, mental, and dental healthcare
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Transportation to service providers, employment, and shopping
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Permanent and meaningful employment at a living wage
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Financial stability training
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A recovery program for chemical dependency
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Individual mentoring
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Community engagement
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Healthy recreational activities
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Spiritual growth opportunities
We also partner with service providers who engage in monthly group case management with our JUMPSTART participants.
“Through JUMPSTART, I found my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I became a JUMPSTART leader on the inside of prison and now I am the beneficiary of their housing and outside ministries. God is working on the inside and outside of our prisons.“
JD, Former Inmate
JUMPSTART Results
“Although God reached out to me simply through a Bible, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, JUMPSTART provided a community to help me grow. I learned about accountability—having someone to confide in, to challenge and encourage me. It was big for me. The program became integral to who I am today and what my relationship with Christ looks like.”
Eric W.
The Stand Together Foundation recognizes JUMPSTART as a Catalyst nonprofit organization for the work we are doing to impact communities and for transforming lives in prison to reverse the trends of recidivism.