The Jericho Road New Life Program is
designed for both believing and unbelieving clients. For the former, the
program will lead them into a deeper faith and trust in God. For the latter
group, the program will introduce them to the Christian faith and exhort them
to repent of their sins and turn to Christ for God’s mercy. The New Life
Program is designed to equip the clients for living responsibly within the
community and to find the needed resources to live independent and productive
lives.
We
receive clients from all backgrounds and varying life problems. Men and women
who have been living on the streets or woods, those coming out of prison or
jail and others are equally provided the opportunity to volunteer for this
eleven month program. Participation in the life skill classes, bible studies,
worship and chapel services, educational programs (GED, trade school, college)
and work therapy programs all contribute to the clients attaining
self-sufficiency and responsibility for their lives and future success.
Future
program plans include a Family Life Program, similar to the current program for
men and women, targeting women with children. This, too, would be a minimum
nine month program designed to equipment mothers for working and providing
their children’s needs. Parenting skills, educational training, job placement
and family management classes would be provided for this client group. The goal
here would be to assist these single mothers in finding employment, safe
housing and child care services (as needed) sufficient to enable the family to
live a productive, independent and self-sufficient life. This program would
also be Christ-centered and designed to help them know Him as their Lord and
Savior.
We hope to build
this facility on our Howell Avenue property in the next few years. The plan
would call for housing up to 48 women and children. Construction of the new
facility would include: 10 bedrooms with toilet, sink and shower, two bunk beds
and a twin bed; a meeting room, play room and front porch. In addition, the
current Women’s Shelter building would be expanded to include: commercial
kitchen, dining hall and laundry room for serving clients of both shelter
buildings. The current Food Barn ministry would be moved to another location
within the county. The barn would be removed to make room for a play area for
children and an outdoor picnic area for residents and visitors.
