There are many ways to help the Prison Ministry Program. It is an excellent and rewarding opportunity to give of yourself and to help others in need. Men and women returning to the community from our prisons and county jails face many obstacles: lack of housing, difficulty finding employment, drug and alcohol addiction, and so forth.

The Reentry Project of the Prison Ministry Program assists these persons with such basic needs as clothing, toiletries, transportation, rental deposits, and emotional support. This kind of assistance can often make the difference for a man or woman between a return to prison or a successful reintegration into the community.

People can help by volunteering for the Program, sending a donation of needed materials or funds (see below), and by praying for the Prison Ministry Program and the people that are helped in the program.

Volunteering
Some examples of ways people can volunteer are: mentoring prisoners, assisting with liturgies in the prison, and tutoring prisoners. For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Laura Ford at lford@adphila.org or 215-331-3640.

Donation of Needed Items
Many of the men and women returning to the community from the prisons need some very basic necessities, such as:

Shampoo
Deodorant
Soap
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
White Socks (Men’s and Women’s)
Clothing

Please consider donating some of these basic items to the Prison Ministry Program. Donations are received at 7340 Jackson St.; Philadelphia, PA 19136. Please call Laura Ford to arrange a time for bringing donations to the office.

Donation of Funds
The Prison Ministry Program is grateful for any funds that you would like to donate to help the men and women who are preparing to reenter society. All donations are utilized with prudence and responsibility, for the good of the reintegrating men and women in our program. Some examples of things that we utilize funds for are: weekly train passes, I.D. cards, and initial housing rental payment.

If you would like to donate to the Reentry Fund of the Prison Ministry Program, checks should be made out to “Prison Ministry Program” and sent to the attention of: Laura Ford, 7340 Jackson St.; Philadelphia, PA 19136. Donations are tax-deductible.