The E-Faith Link is a broad coalition of faith and community based organizations
[FBCOs] whose sole purpose is to assist formerly incarcerated persons
in their effort to successfully reintegrate with their families
and into their respective communities. FBCOs within each region
will be given an opportunity to participate in innovative programs
like the “E-Faith Link” and “E-Jobs.” It was originally hoped that Virginia’s Office of Faith Based & Community Based Initiatives [or another appropriate agency] would assume oversight and implementation
of this innovative program, since its “outside the box” thinking
shall prove an invaluable interactive resource. The E-Faith Link has the potential to provide connectivity
not only for formerly incarcerated persons and service providers,
but a host of other volunteerism applications as well.
The E-Faith Link is an electronic database of various faith entities, business, public and private organizations, and individuals
committed to providing much needed resources and assistance, primarily
for transitioning men and women, desiring to become productive
and contributing citizens of Virginia. The overall goal of E-Faith Link is not to proselytize, but to
connect people of faith with an appropriate faith institution of their choice. Therefore, our website provides regional access to the E-Synagogue, the E-Mosque, the E-Church, etc. However, this potential does represent a significant opportunity
for the various faith institutions to extend their outreach efforts
and appeal to persons of like faith.
For example, a Catholic organization in Northern Virginia might
offer reduced rates at their daycare facility to Moms who need
to go on job interviews; a church in Tidewater might be amenable
to allowing their fleet of vans to be used to provide transportation
to job interviews. Perhaps a Mosque in Central Virginia may assume
responsibility for conducting quarterly JOB FAIRS.
In addition to E-Jobs being a forum for job providers and formerly incarcerated job seekers
to converge regionally; E-Jobs will also tap into established job resources [i.e., Virginia Employment Commissions, Workforce Investment One-Stop Centers, job readiness organizations, etc]. Potential employers will be able to identify pre-certified [and
pre-screened] employees for part time or full time hiring. This link will contain necessary forms and other resources pertinent
to the $2,400 WOTC. This link shall also contain updated information on federal bonding [insurance protection], barrier crimes, career readiness certification awareness information, etc.
Career Readiness Certification (CRC) is another potentially excellent program in which our state
has not done an adequate job marketing. In short, CRC is designed to pre-qualify or pre-certify Virginia’s overall workforce, utilizing bronze, silver and gold levels to identify job readiness.
CRC is available after completion of a WorkKeys ® assessment, which is given at local One-Stop Centers, community
colleges, and other approved sites. The Virginia Reentry Initiative seeks to extend this program to
Virginia’s prisons and jails [and simultaneously help create much needed awareness to employees
and employers via seminars and workshops concerning these and
other dormant statewide possibilities.
A document prepared by Virginia Prisoner Reentry Policy Academy illustrates succintly this problem: "It has become obvious that many problems that offenders face cannot be remedied by the agencies created to deal with that population alone. Many programs (housing, treatment, employment and training, social services, mentoring, etc.) administered by other state and local agencies are continuously providing services to this population, but without the interface and coordination necessary to maximize success and efficiency." Note: Emphasis by this author.
Virginia is one of seven states participating in the National Governors Association (NGA) Center For Best Practises involving prisoner reentry issues. Consequently, Virginia has several pilot reentry sites at various regional jails across the state wherein inmates in transition are shipped near home to participate in 45 days of transitional education, and 45 days of work release programming. In order to help facilitate successful reentry, DOC has structured memorandums of understanding with various social service providers, relative to mental health and substance abuse, housing and employment issues, etc.
The E-Faith Link provides the infrastructure for various entities of faith to participate in this process. Statistics indicate that the first few days and weeks is the most critical period for formerly incarcerated persons. The E-Faith Link allows institutions of faith (and individuals) to "meet people at the gate." This represents the greatest need in prison ministry today. Prison ministry is so much more than going inside the wall with a song, three points and prayer.
If you're interested in participating or receiving more information on The E-Faith Link, call Reverend Gunn at (434) 528-0435 or email gunn52@verizon.net