Our goal is to help ex-offenders become productive members of society.
As part of their responsibility with Prison Outreach of Delaware, Chaplain Steve and Tim Santa Barbara lead Broken Beginnings Aftercare for ex-offenders. Each participant is given one-on-one attention through life preparation counseling.
- Prison Outreach of Delaware has ministered to inmates since 1963 by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving as chaplains and volunteers in our prisons here in Delaware. Our Broken Beginnings Aftercare Ministry is a vital piece of the puzzle in helping ex-offenders live for Christ and become disciples leading to a life of victory.
- An effective aftercare ministry begins when the person is still incarcerated. Their training starts behind the bars, through Bible studies, chapel services and intense one-on-one life preparation counseling.
Why Do We Need Aftercare?
According to the National Re-entry Resource Center, 95% of all offenders eventually return to society. That’s your neighborhood, your cities and towns.
Broken Beginnings Aftercare Ministry continues with training that began behind the bars. We help the offender by mentoring and making them accountable as they go through the difficult stages of re-entry.
Every Ex-Offender Needs the Following
- A personal relationship with God
- A support group
- Reconciling of relationships
- Transportation
- Employment
- Further education
- Church family
- Housing
- Clothing & Food
Information About Our Meetings
Broken Beginnings holds meetings on Sundays for ex-offenders. These weekly meetings include:
- Food and fellowship
- Personal sharing and prayer time
- Worship
- Bible study
How This Is Accomplished
Evangelical Ministerial Counseling
Emphasizes building relationships with and challenging them in their walk of faith in Christ.
Discipleship Counseling
Focuses on assisting individuals in the basic rudiments of their Christian walk through the teaching and application of Scripture.
Self-determination
Helps individuals to understand the consequences of the choices they make. These choices affect their spiritual walk with God. This focus helps ex-offenders to set goals and work toward that which will positively influence their personal life, their families, their church, and their community.
Personal Accountability
Teaches ex-offenders that personal accountability (personal responsibility) is necessary in all areas of life. This often requires honest feedback from others who have their best interest at heart.
When a person is released from prison, Broken Beginnings provides direction and encouragement as we network with community resources to assist in a smooth transition back into society. This connection is vital to the rehabilitative process.
Each individual is encouraged to become a member of a local church where he can begin to build a support network that will aid him and his family in his recovery.
Kenny’s Graduation Ceremony
I first met Kenny at the Plummer Center in Wilmington in the middle of 2013. He immediately went to work in the kitchen and began attending our Bible studies. Before coming to the Plummer Center, he spent years down at Vaughn Correctional Center with Chaplain Tim Heald. Chaplain Tim let me know that Kenny was headed to the Plummer Center. Once at the Plummer Center, he was very consistent in attending our Bible studies.
Toward the end of his six month stay, his diligence paid off, and he was accepted into the Culinary Arts Program offered at the Newark Food Bank. After Kenny’s release from the Plummer Center, he completed his courses and graduated. The video clip is his short speech at his graduation ceremony. I have to say that the food that the graduates prepared was the best Caribbean food that I have ever tasted. Kenny is involved at his church and employed in his field.
TESTIMONIALS
The Prison Outreach of Delaware is making a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals, families of inmates, and former inmates by teaching the gospel and giving hope.
…You really helped me through that time period of my life… [you] also gave a good example for what I want to do… working with teens who have had trouble.
This act tells me that I really need Jesus in my life to lead my steps and control my thoughts. I surrender to His will. Not because I got caught but because I choose to LIVE instead of EXIST.
Inmates need some compassion and to hear that God can and will forgive them and change their life. Thank you so much for caring about the forgotten.
Please visit this link to hear more testimonies from families and inmates.
