Next Thing Reclaimed, Inc. began because of a young man in a Bible Study at the county jail. His life growing up, like many others, was difficult. His parents were of different faiths so he was confused about what to believe. Eventually his father killed his mother and through some other events his father died.
During weekly Bible Studies, he began to understand that God had a better plan for his life than the one he was living. He was released from the county jail believing just that and determined to turn his life around. A few months later, he was back in the Bible Study at the county jail. His head was down in shame as he explained what happened. He didn't have any family. He didn't have anywhere to live. He didn't have a job. And soon he didn't believe God had any plan for his life.
Sadly this led him back into crime which led him back into the county jail which led him back into the Bible Study. At the end of his story he added that it was his 20th birthday.
My heart broke, thinking of this young man determined to change his life, not knowing how, not having any support and returning to the county jail on his 20th birthday.
This story is told over and over again. I don't have anywhere to go but where I came from. The only people I know are the ones that helped me commit the crime. I want to change but I don't know how.
It is those men, their stories, desire to change and the difficulties they face when released from incarceration, that the concept of Next Thing Reclaimed, Inc. as a Community Based Organization developed.
It is the mission of Next Thing Reclaimed to provide faith based transitional housing and programs to assist men during their reentry process. In providing these services, the residivism (return to jail) rate will lower. In providing these services, the cost to the community is reduced. In providing these services, the safety of society is increased. In providing these services, families can be reunited.
Together With your generous donation, we can make a difference that will not only change the lives of these men and the communities they live in but also future generations.
