Foundation of HOPE

I volunteered for Foundation of Hope Inc for 5 years as a teacher of women in the pre release program.

It was not easy for me as I am an introvert, but once every other week for one hour I taught anger management.

One of my own family members struggled with mental health and addiction and would probably have been incarcerated, but this family member had a lot of supports. Some people do not have those supports.

I was grateful for a chance to give back and help shape the successful return to society of these individuals enrolled in Hope’s classes. And I loved that Hope’s faith based program was welcoming of all faiths.

I hope my lessons were a healing experience for the humans I interacted with. I know it was a healing experience for me.

Thank you Hope!

I will continue to contribute to Hope’s work to support struggling humans in Hope’s various and expanding programs; diversion programs for youth, prerelease classes for incarcerated individuals, and after care programs for those entering back into society.

Thank you again Foundation of Hope Inc. for all you do to reshape our incarceration system into a place where individuals can actually be rehabilitated and ultimately lead successful fulfilling lives.

Chris K.

As a former inmate at the Allegheny County Jail, I can tell you my truth about this program. I applied for this program, and was denied because of the nature of my crime. I know this: Jesus never turned someone away. In fact, he spent the majority of his ministry with people society shunned. I had not yet even been convicted of a crime, mind you.

This flagrant personal rejection, a written dialogue of which I still retain documentation because of how shocked I was (and hurt still) , serves as proof of a major flaw of this organization.

I can say, with confidence, that every group I have been a part of before and after my Hope Pod denial was edified as a result of my participation. And I am blessed for what benefits the programs have given to me. Blessings you chose to withhold from me.

My Lord, and the one you claim to serve, would not have done such a thing. He DID not. What a shame you did.

Sometime this past winter, I attended a Foundation of Hope fundraiser. Those gathered heard about the concept of helping inmates who had been released (those who had served their "time") in NOT RETURNING TO PRISON. I remember clearly the story told by a mother who had been incarcerated. She talked about having worked at McDonald's when in high school. She went on to say that she is still working a McDonald's but is now "taking care of my daughter and myself ON MY OWN" because of the Foundation of HOPE program. I have always said "hope" is my all time favorite word. It causes one or many to live life differently. When this young woman and mother spoke, I felt a wonderful chill move through me. Hope caused this one individual to choose a new road of living for herself. In so doing, she also became a light of hope for her daughter. I HOPE that this organization will continue to grow in it's outreach to those in need of hope at the Allegheny County Jail and grow in its finances to do so. Please donate.

I have been involved with the HOPE ministry for about 8 years as a member of the Jail Project Committee and as a teacher in the “Confronting your Stinkin’ Thinkin’” cause. I have listened to the participants as they reveal their confused youth and their misspent years after dropping out of school. I have seen miraculous changes in most of the HOPE men. This change is born out in the fact that the recidivism rate for HOPE participants is less than 15%, while the rate for others is around 70%.
HOPE graduates have learned that a dark past does not need to become an empty future, and that mistakes are not burdens to be carried but to be understood as a platform for new days, and that just because the world has its share of A-holes doesn’t mean you have to be the toilet paper.
Thank you for considering HOPE as a cause worthy of your support.
Review by Rev. Bill Hower.

I believe that not all crime that is committed for the purpose of getting drugs should result in prison time or as much prison time. I also believe that this ministry is a move in the right direction and that a ministry like this one should not be considered treatment, but pre-treatment.

Our nation's Declaration of Independence says "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights… among these… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." No distinctions are made for those who may have made bad choices and are helped to redirect their lives and move forward as positive contributors to society.

This is where the Foundation of Hope shines! People who emerge from incarceration through Foundation of Hope programs increase their rates of success in society by nearly 70% over those who do not! Our society cannot afford "throw away" people. By helping "the lease of these" realize their full potential of positive human beings in a world that needs them, Foundation of Hope helps us all!

I Graduated from "The Hope Pod" in Alleghenyy County Jail in May 2010. I was Released in October 2010. The Influence of HOPE followed me out the door. Am I all better now? No, Change takes time. Do I still make mistakes? Yes, I am learning a new way of life and everyday I learn more. Did I learn how to think differently? Yes I did. What was, and still is the strongest lesson in my mind is "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words" and believe me, that is a tall order to ask of anyone but it is burned there, in my thoughts and in my prayers. I was Voted onto the the Board of Directors as a full Voting Member in February 2012. My Voice is one of several Peer Members on the Board. Today I hold Certificates in: Suicide prevention QPR. Wellness Coaching, Mercy Behavioral Health. Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Certified Peer Specialist, The Bell Of Hope, Mental Health Association of SEPA, Institute for Recovery & Community Integration. Above all, A Confirmed Member of the Holy Catholic Church. On the Hope Pod, We didn't "Rot In Jail". We were busy, all the time, everyday in classes, all day. HOPE inside, made all of us both Classroom ready and Workplace ready. HOPE taught us how to be better Parents and active members of the Community, How to control our emotions especially Anger management. How to better understand Addiction. The Aftercare Program "Catches us before we fall" upon release because getting released from jail is just as traumatic as getting locked up in Jail. We need your help to continue to provide Trained, Experienced Mentors for our Aftercare Program. When Jesus spoke of the day that God would separate the Sheep from the Goats, his words were " I was sick and in Prison and you visited me" Anything you give will be the same as visiting those in Jail by providing the reassurance that they have a number to call upon their release other than the old numbers that influenced their initial crimes. Every donation offers a new way of life for those recently released which in turn creates safe changes to our community as a whole. I appreciate your consideration and your Loving generosity. Thank You and Peace be with you,
Leland Chalmers Raymaley III. -Chipper- 724-989-7477 lelandraymaley3@gmail.com

The HOPE program is just that, "HOPE",

H - helping
O - other
P - people
E - excel

I consider it a honor to be apart of this program. I've experienced restoration, transformation, and inspiration in the lives of the inmates. As a volunteer I appreciate the opportunities given me to make a positive difference. This program is amazing and God sent. It has inspired my life in multiple ways as well.

Thank you Hope Program
Evangelist Alvina Smith

Volunteering at the jail has been so inspirational. Knowing that this program is impacting the recidivism rate of inmates makes me want to support it ever more! My favorite activity has been delivering Christmas gifts.

HOPE is giving inmates a faith based program to enable them to stay out of jail and become productive parents, spouse, and productive members of society. The recidivism rate is less than 20 returns to jail for every 100 inmates. The Allegheny County jail recidvism rate is over 50 returning inmates for every 100 inmates.

I am teaching in the HOPE program, and it does literally provide those served with hope, a hope that they can become stronger and be able to make positive changes in their life. We see smites beginning to form and a genuine sense of caring for their fellow HOPE participants. They begin to express gratitude to each other and search for a better sense of who they are and who they hope to become. Not everyone has an easy beginning in life and the HOPE program gives these people a belief that they are worthwhile members of a bigger world.

As a donor and volunteer, I witness firsthand the impact my giving has on the lives of the incarcerated adults in the Allegheny County Jail. The program participants are heart-warmingly devout, thankful, and determined to change the course of their lives, and I am consistently honored to help them on their journey. My life is enriched because of the men & women of HOPE, and I encourage you to learn more about this impactful non-profit, which truly reduces the rate of recidivism. I love sharing stories of my HOPE involvement, and piquing interest in this unique and one-of-a-kind giving opportunity.

I have been honored to be a small part of this organization to provide support and resources to the inmates. I believe that this program allows men and women to focus on difficult subject matter and build confidence that they may be able to make better choices when they are discharged from ACJ. I have witnessed individuals feel empowered by this program and hope that it continues.

I've had the opportunity to be a part of a handful of HOPE's graduations and I've seen how this program has helped women understand what it means and looks like to start fresh and make the right decisions for their sake of their futures and families.

This is an amazingly effective organization. I am astonished by the "bang for the buck" of this dedicated group of people. Although the administrative staff is small in numbers, they have assembled a large group of volunteers who have work tirelessly to give guidance, comfort, support, a helping hand, whatever it takes to help people build a new and better life.

I have mentored an inmate through HOPE, I teach in the HOPE program, and I'm on nthe board just to let you know of my belief in this program. We have a 70% recidivism rate vs. over 50%b for the jail. Men and women are deciding to redirect their lives and become better people and citizens through HOPE. It creates a new foundation of thinking and behavior that many of them were not aware of previously. I have had several men in my class say it was the first time someone really seemed to care about them personally. Your dollars are well-spent if you support HOPE.

I am a financial supporter of HOPE because it helps an under served population with intentional education and tools to ensure success. The most impressive stat to me is the low number of inmates who have participated in the program and return to jail vs the general population. This program is well organized and managed to serve the diverse needs of those who are too often forgotten. 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

It's been my privilege to serve as a prison ministry volunteer at the Allegheny County Jail from First Lutheran Church for the past three years, and as a board member of the Foundation of HOPE for two years. The Foundation of HOPE is considered to be one of the best programs of its kind in the nation. Through a strong network of volunteers, HOPE had a direct impact on the lives of men and women who, separated from the rest of the world, are often forgotten.

The Foundation of Hope is one of the most successful and impressive non-profit organizations in our area. The impact touches not only those incarcerated, but also volunteers, donors, and anyone who is looking for an answer to reaching those who need hope. The participants are helped to build their faith, which is such an important tool in re-building a life. They receive the tools necessarty for transitioning to a new life, and support along the way. Compared to the recidivism rate nationally, this program's rate is unbelievably lower. Other institutions in this sector would do well to model after this inspiring example. I have heard former prisoners, volunteers, and staff members speak about the impact of the Foundation of Hope on their lives, and they all shared great enthusiasm for the program. The staff is hard-working, totally dedicated, and should be praised for their impact on the lives of others.

I have been impressed by the intentionality of the program. H.O.P.E. stresses the important things one must do to get on with your life. The tools they receive in the program give them a strong foundation to go back to the community and contribute to it. It is truly well named...it gives hope!

They have been there for me when all the cards where on the table and I Iost my hand. No other group does as much work from inside prison to life out side of prison !! Two thumbs up !

As a financial supporter I care a lot about results. I have had conversations with Foundation of Hope participants and mentors and can attest to their enthusiasm and belief in this program. Men and women point to Foundation of Hope as the pivotal difference in their successful post-incarceration life. Statistics bear this out with reduced recidivism amongst individuals working in this program. I will continue to support Foundation of Hope and encourage others to do so too!

I have only been with Foundation of Hope a few months as an instructor & mentor. I first went into it a bit scared not knowing what to expect. Very quickly that subsided and I now want to spend as much as my free time as possible mentoring & teaching. The personal results I have seen mentoring make me feel I am doing something very rewarding and fulfilling. When a person asks me how soon I will be back to meet with them, it shows I am touching their lives in a positive way. Money cannot buy that.

The Foundation of Hope is an ingenious program that goes above and beyond the call of duty. Whether it be through their services during sentencing or for aftercare services, they give nothing but compassion and hope to the people going through the program. They make people feel like individuals who can make it through their circumstance instead of a person who is helpless because of circumstance. This Organizations is a true blessing to the community.

The Foundation of Hope is a well led and creative ministry to incarcerated men and women who want to truly change the direction of their lives and move to a higher plane. I have not only been a volunteer for 3 men, but also brought 30-40 newer clergy to the Allegheny County Jail for information and dialogue about this superb effort.

I have been a mentor in both pre- and post-release HOPE programs for the past few years. I consider it one of the most important things I do. In my work, I have come to know many incarcerated and previously incarcerated men and women. I have come to love them as I hear their stories, I participate in their struggles, and am inspired by their courage. Most come from disadvantaged backgrounds and learning about their history, one has to wonder how they could have NOT ended up in jail. The HOPE program provides critical pre- and post-release resources that allow these individuals to rebuild their lives and re-integrate successfully into society, in a healthy way. Thus, the program supports not only offenders and ex-offenders, but also the community at large. It is a vitally important resource for our society; the program's success rates speak for themselves. Please donate!!!

I have taught in the HOPE program for women and found it to be an amazing way to transform the lives and hearts of these people. The program teaches them so many valuable life skills to how to change their lives for the better!

I donate to and work for the Foundation of HOPE and could not think of an organization with a better mission. I started out as an intern and then a volunteer and finally sought employment because of my deep commitment to, and support of, the work done by the Foundation of HOPE. Lives are being transformed, families are being strengthened, and communities are being made safer because of what God is doing through this program. I count myself lucky to be a part of it.

I am an intern for the HOPE program at the Allegheny County Jail. The first couple of days I was able to interact with the inmates by following around some of the volunteer chaplains and seeing first hand the encouraging words that were spoken about different problems that the inmates were experiencing in the jail and in their outside life. The following weeks I spent most of my time filling request orders that the inmates sent to the chaplain offices. There were times when I felt that some of the inmates sounded very ungrateful for everything that we provide for them, from hygenic products to reading materials to all forms of religious materials that we were allowed to give them. I think this organization is very grounded in their want to help anyone that is seeking help and it makes me wish that the jail administration and even government provided them with better support in accomplishing their goals. One of the best things that I got to experience through the organization was the graduation of several female HOPE members. The speaker seemed to touch everyone's heart and thoughts in some way and I truly believe that those inmates benefitted from hearing the speaker's story. I think that the HOPE pods and program actually do help reduce the rate of recidivism for the inmates who choose to participate.