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CAPA Award for Excellence in Prisoner Reentry Ministry printer-friendly

By Christian Association for Prison Aftercare

CAPA is pleased to announce that the first ever CAPA Award for Excellence in Prisoner Reentry Ministry was awarded to GROW Ministries of Moline, Illinois. This was presented at the CAPA National Conference that was recently held in Milwaukee, WI. The $5,000 cash award recognized GROW for being the most influential non-profit organization to educate their local area for prisoner reentry. Organizations across the country were asked to submit in writing how they impacted prison aftercare in their communities. From those submissions several organizations were chosen to move to the second round and complete additional questions in the review process.

GROW Ministries is the only Faith-based transitional housing program in the 350,000 population, Quad City area. They assist women in crisis through Domestic Violence Counseling. Their transitional living program takes women from incarceration to independence. Their van ministry provides transportation for the homeless and their newest program helps victims of human trafficking.

GROW Ministries was founded by Janet Wolfe, in 2005. After much research in their local area it was discovered that no other organization provided reentry services for women. GROW's domestic violence counseling program equips women to become agents of change in their relationships.

Ms. Wolfe wrote the following regarding what receiving this award meant to her organization:

"GROW Ministries, is very grateful for the confidence that CAPA showed us by giving us the very first grant ever! Because GROW is the only prison aftercare organization in our area directly helping women who get out of prison or jail, that money means we can continue to provide services, keep our doors open, and help women in crisis to change their lives and never go back to prison again. Before this grant, our whole organization had been praying for God to show up with enough money to continue our vision. We are doing huge things with very little money right now. But the Lord provides, and He used CAPA to do so."

CAPA was thrilled to have been able to recognize the diligent efforts of GROW Ministries by providing them with this award. This is our small way of providing inspiration and encouragement to those who serve in this vital ministry. We have not yet secured a donor for a 2011 prize. If you have the means and God places it on your heart to sponsor the 2011 Excellence in Prisoner Reentry Award, we would love to hear from you. You may contact the CAPA office at (313) 875-3883, ext. 11 or email us at jwilliams@nccoinc.org.

For more information on GROW Ministries, please call 309-757-9088 or visit our website at www.growministry.org

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