WHETHER YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND/ OR HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS AN EMPLOYED MEMBER OR A RELEASED INMATE OUR GOAL IS THE SAME:
LOWER ARREST RECIDIVISM for a safer community; re-unite families; and open doors to SUCCESSFULLY change habits and life-styles to THRIVE instead of SURVIVE.
GOAL - MISSION - PURPOSE
Our Goal is to lower the arrest recidivism rate in McHenry and Lake Counties- saving taxpayers dollars while strengthening families, teaching the benefits of accountability, work ethics, money management, healthy friendships and lower the repeated crimes rates in the community.
Our Mission is to connect with inmates released from jail/prison entering McHenry or Lake County and be ready to give these “Re-Entry Candidates” friendship, encouragement, and guidance when facing many barriers to essentials such as safe adequate housing; steady employment; available transportation; mental health assistance and repairing hurt family relationships.
Our purpose is to develop an on-going team of successful veteran Re-Entry Candidates living sober, sane, stable lives who then share their friendship principles to the new Re-entry Candidates thereby continuing a cycle of even lower arrest recidivism rates in McHenry and Lake Counties in the years to come.
BASIC POLICY: NEW LIFE TRANSISTIONS of NORTHERN IL and CELEBRATE RE-ENTRY
Build a stable community by assisting released inmates (renamed RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES) who are accountable and committed to a new life experience.
New LIfe Transitions of Northern Illinois is a registered NFP Corporation in the State of Illinois and registered as a (501(c)(3).
Celebrate Re-Entry provides Christian faith based services to New Life Transitions clients as needed.
NLT-NIL and CRE are not connected to any “religious” denomination and understands each human has their own freedom of thoughts.
CRE accepts “non-believers” as Re-Entry Candidates. However, management, programs and principles are based on Biblical doctrines. (see “Biblical Principles” tab)
Appearances; first impressions; beliefs, or non-beliefs; race; gender; sex orientation, & age will not influence acceptance into NLT-NIL and CRE programs; COME AS YOU ARE.
NLT-NIL and CRE often opens doors to those never arrested but seeking a similar Re-Entry: the homeless; recovering addicts; and others needing a “renewal of the mind”.
THE IMPORTANCE OF “RE-ENTRY” PROGRAMS
A popular attitude: “Really - convicted criminals can’t make it on their own when released? After taxpayers have already “provided” three meals, a bed, and some medical care during their sentence time, we really need to do more? Didn’t they learn anything while in jail? Their problems do not concern me or my family.” Here is what the numbers tell us:
Per the “Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council” (Summer 2018):
Those on probation for misdemeanor: 19% are re-arrested within one year; 37% are re-arrested within three years.
Those on probation for felony: 17% are re-arrested within one year; 35% are re-arrested within three years.
Those released from prison: 17% are re-arrested within one year; 43% are re-arrested within three years.
Total cost will be $5 Billion dollars in the next five years. ($151,662.00 per event).
Per the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA):
Research has shown that aiding in successful reentry can reduce risk of recidivism….Many experience difficulties meeting needs such as employment, behavioral health treatment, and housing. In addition, effective reentry programs and services are few and far between….Nonetheless, research indicates well-designed reentry programs can reduce recidivism…improving and expanding reentry programs may be one strategy to reduce risk of recidivism and increase quality-of-life for returning individual.
(An Overview of Evidence-Based Practices and Programs in Prison Reentry (December 2019)
ARREST RECIDIVISM COST BILLIONS. friendship not so much.
HELP NLT-NIL and CRE PROVIDE “FRIENDSHIP” to those struggling to re-enter:
Are you an Interested Community Citizen? Come join our mission in a role that executes your gifts, talents, and purpose. Go to “Ways to Help”
Do not have time? Consider a convenient ONLINE donation or send a check.
NEW LIFE TRANSITIONS of northern il and celebrate re-entry is searching for:
a volunteer Executive director to serve six months re-launching a new re-entry platform INCLUDING NETWORKING WITH LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES.
a corporate secretary to assist in storing documents, drafting meeting minutes, and MANAGING administrative records.
2 additional board members with interest in social services; counseling; or NFP fundraising;
volunteers interested in event planning; RE-ENTRY RESEARCH; ASSISTING BOARD MEMBERS IN ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS; AND/OR BIBLE-BASED PROGRAMS
E-mail: dlearned@celebrate-reentry.org;
Donations: online or send by u.s. mail
Checks payable to CELEBRATE RE-ENTRY NFP.
MAIL TO: CRE, P.O. BOX 146, MCHENRY, IL 60050