Jesus Set The Captive Free, Inc. is a faith-based non-profit organization established in December 2000 and officially incorporated in 2001. JSCF is based in East Point, GA. Our 501c3 tax-exempt status was authorized April 2006. Our Director Barbara Williams sees the rate for ex-offenders relapse into criminal behavior climbing very rapidly. It became painfully clear that incarceration and the cycle of recidivism are indicators of a weak value system and lack of faith based mentoring.
JSCF’s executive board and volunteers have been certified in the Aftercare Program administered by the Georgia Department of Corrections. This certification has enabled JSCF to begin computer classes. JSCF’s first program, Spiritual Mentoring” has been offered since 2001 to inmates through our alliance with Catholic Social Services. We realize that the work with ex-offenders must begin while they are incarcerated and throughout their return to the community. In 2003 JSCF entered into a partnership with Hosea Feed the Hungry and East Point Community Action Team (EP-CAT). Both organizations embraced Barbara William’s vision and extended their support and admiration. Reverend Williams has received the “Seed Sower Award” for her work with EP-CAT. She also received the “Unsung Hero Award” from the 100 Black Women of Atlanta, and many more. (Attach.3)
In 2000, the National Alliance to End Homelessness announced A Plan, Not a Dream: How to End Homelessness in Ten Years4. In 2002 Atlanta, Georgia began the arduous task of developing a 10 year plan to end homelessness. Jesus Set The Captive Free, Inc. answered the call for Faith Based organizations to embrace Georgia’s 10 year plan. JSCF has since modeled the plans core principles by forming strategic partnerships with numerous agencies throughout the region
The 10 year plan rests on the shoulders of “The Continuum of Care” which is designed to provide the resources required to move a homeless person to self-sufficiency. The Continuum of Care has the following components—outreach and assessment, emergency shelter, transitional housing, appropriate supportive services, permanent supportive housing and permanent housing, .emergency prevention services are Shortening Time of Homelessness5. Shortening the time that people spend homeless is paramount. By providing education and resourceful access to supportive services while incarcerated and during reentry the rate of recidivism and crime in our communities will be reduced.
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