It's a joy to know we have good people in our community who care enough to make a difference in other peoples' lives.
For lots of individuals, it's always been two steps forward and
three steps back. They've never experienced the kind of support
needed to live life as some of us know it.
A great movement is now underway locally for women after they have
completed rehab. You may have noticed activity downtown on the square
in Monticello over the past few weeks on the corner next to The Quilt
Shoppe.
Efforts are being made to open Restoration House. Restoration House
is the result of a newly faith based non-profit organization, New
Beginning Foundation, established for the sole purpose of providing
transitional housing after rehab for women.
The foundation is in conversations with possible partners and the
board is seeking funding through grants and other resources.
Before the end of 2019 the board met with DECO Architecture and they
now have a better understanding of what it's going to take
financially to open the doors.
The cost involved was more than originally expected and until all
monies needed are acquired, they will be moving forward with a
website, community networking and continuing work at the jail.
Restoration House co-founder, Elwood Bradley, is the chairman. He
truly wants a better life for offenders who have completed their time
in rehab.
This type of positive influence within our community has been a
vision of Elwood's for years.
He is not only the chaplin at the Wayne County Detention Center,
Elwood is the Portal Instructor for the New Direction Re-entry class.
He is MRT certified and serves as a GED Instructor at KCTCS. He also
recently completed additional training.
The board speaks highly of Elwood, stating that he has been faithful
to visit, mentor and minister to inmates at the Wayne County Jail for
more than 20 years.
Bradley has found that there are many repeat offenders.
When speaking to inmates about being re-incarcerated, time after
time, their stories are similar.
Many offenders have attended a short, court-ordered rehab and after
their recovery, they have returned to a home environment, not helpful
in staying clean. More often than not, it's been abusive and
discouraging situations for them.
When coupled with not being able to find jobs, qualify for housing
and having few applicable life skills, the repeat offenders fail to
rise above the cycle that they have often been born into and can't
get away from.
Elwood knows MRT therapy works. It's a systematic step by step
treatment strategy to increase moral reasoning and changes behaviors
and decision-making errors in offenders that led to incarceration,
addiction, and mental health issues in the first place.
MRT combines education, group and individual counseling, and
structured exercises designed to foster moral development.
Studies show a reduction in the relapse rate of offenders 30-50
percent for periods up to 20 years after release. Re-arrest and re-
incarceration rates can be up to 65 percent lower than expected. If
offenders want to stay clean, the transformation is truly amazing.
The program helps them make changes in their thinking and realize
what potential they have in maintaining a positive and healthy life
free of crime.
In formation of the non-profit foundation, the board of Restoration
House decided to focus on women coming out of jail or rehab first,
but they do hope to have a men's home in the future. This caring
group of people want to help their residents find hope, encouragement
and a new beginning through Christian mentorship.
The board understands that lasting success can be found through an
opportunity of living in a safe environment while pursuing education
and employment opportunities. They hope to give these women hope to
rise above their circumstances.
Statistics show that many addicts leave rehab drug-free, but lack
basic daily life skills. At Restoration House, the women will be
taught through example— how to create goals and care for themselves
personally, through exercise and diet. They will also be given
educational opportunities through SkillsU, and KCTCS, as well as have
off site counseling.
Restoration House is also in search of funding to open an on site
restaurant where the ladies will be given the opportunity to create a
reference for future employment. Not only will it build their resume
through second chance employment, but they will be learning
interpersonal skills that will build confidence for their future. The
end goal is to provide a true home environment where a foundation of
trust and hope is built for their residents. The foundation wants to
decrease the incidents of relapse by offering hope beyond rehab.
We often lose sight of what really matters—love and kindness to our
fellow man. Anyone interested in contributing to this worthwhile
cause or lending a helping hand may contact them through Facebook
messenger (for now). They will soon have a website and telephone
number available.
The board has made a change to their online search after multiple
sources inquired about the foundation being associated with
ministries of a similar name. Instead of searching the web for New
Beginning Foundation, Inc., they ask that you log on to Restoration House of Kentucky.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.