Isaiah House
Catholic New Creation, Inc has successfully opened the first of four planned transitional homes; the Isaiah House project. Isaiah House is a place where recently released men can find sanctuary, a kind word, spiritual guidance, health services, a place to lay their head, and employment opportunities. Assistance is available for utility deposits if needed, tools for the new job, work boots/clothing, and public transportation. It is also an environment of accountability, responsibility and servitude to our community.
The Isaiah House project is the culmination of years of experience dealing with prison ministry. We recognize the need to assist newly released men make the difficult transition back into society. The board of directors of Catholic New Creation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, is committed to providing aftercare through the Isaiah House project. All of the board members are experienced prison/jail ministers and understand the dynamics of the correctional system. The board believes that the Church, through its call to the mission field, is to be a catalyst for bringing healing and hope to those who have been released from the chains of incarceration; that Jesus is present in all people regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they have done; that it is only through prayer and reconciliation that former felons can hope to change their lives; that men who are able to commit one year of their lives to a faith based environment will chose not to return to a life of crime and violence.
Housing
The Isaiah House Project has been approved by the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice to provide housing for our brothers transitioning from incarceration. We are currently able to house only ten residents; however we recognize that this falls well short of our community's need. At least three more facilities are essential to address the alarming rise in the recidivism rates.
Employment
Offering the opportunity for employment is an important component of the client's case management plan. Isaiah House has partnered with a large number of employers who will not reject the client based on prior incarceration. Part of the case management plan involves training for employment interviews, i.e. dress, positive attitude, eye contact and conversational skills. Job interview appointments are set by the case manager. The client must make arrangements to meet with the employer at the appointed time.
Family Reunification
Many clients have alienated themselves from family members. For those who wish to reconcile with family, the case manager will contact members of the client's family and seek approval for the reconciliation effort. With approval, the client meets with family members facilitated by the case manager. The goal of reconciliation is not only to bring them together, but to relieve the stress of behaviors that existed before incarceration. Certainly having a strong family relationship will make the process of transition less stressful.
Parish Connection
It is the belief of Isaiah House that the clients cannot make a holistic transition from the chaotic prison life without a commitment to change. In order to help the client make this commitment to a change of thinking, a change of heart, he is offered the opportunity to attend the parish located in the local neighborhood. It is hoped that the client will find the parish community helpful in his transition experience.
Counseling
This component of aftercare is needed to assist the client make sense of the newly discovered freedom. Remember that those who are incarcerated are told what to do from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep: when & what to eat; how to walk down the hall of the prison; when to exercise; when to report for work; what to wear and what items they can store in their tiny housing area. When our client is released from incarceration, the case manager provides assistance with learning how to make day-to-day decisions,i.e. what toothpaste to buy, or what to eat or what clothes to wear. Some clients require on-going alcohol/drug abuse counseling. The case manager schedules the client for these services and monitors the client's progress. Some clients require mental health assistance. They are taken to a program that will help them deal with the difficulties they face.
Please visit our Isaiah House Wish List for more information on how you can contribute to the practical needs our ministry.
