Please join me in raising funds to support Keeping Families Connected Inc. Any amount you can give will help make a difference. Thank you! USE WHAT YOU’VE GOT MINISTRY KEEPING FAMILIES CONNECTED. INC.

3549 Boulevard Pl.

Indianapolis, In 46208

[email protected]

317-924-4124

Mission Statement: Keeping Families Connected is a faith-based organization whose mission is to ensure that families maintain contact by providing transportation for prison visitation and through promoting a holistic approach to family wellness. 

Vision Statement: Keeping Families Connected is a Nationally recognized model for improving the lives of families impacted by incarceration in the state of Indiana. We provide quality transportation to correctional facilities, prepare the formally incarcerated for successful reentry and offer other family support services. We accomplish this by being fiscally responsible and through collaborations with an established community organization.

More than 9000 Marion County residents are incarcerated in state correctional facilities. In the next 12 months, the Indiana Department of Correction expects to release over 4000 inmates to our community. Multiple studies suggest that there is no greater predictor for successful offender reintegration than connection with one’s family and community; yet during incarceration, most offenders lose all contact with their families. Often family members have no access to transportation to enable them to visit their loved ones in prison. Indiana has 18 adult correctional facilities and four juvenile correctional facilities. These correctional facilities are all located outside the Marion County areas. One hour to 3 hours away from Indianapolis, rural areas. Where there are no city buses, Greyhound, or even Mega buses that travel to those areas for visits. Keeping Families Connected Ministry’s proposed programs address five inter-related needs in the community that will help to reduce crime- 1) addressing the negative factors that contribute to recidivism; 2) preventing intergenerational incarceration; 3) reducing gun violence; 4) Virtual visitation/video chats and 5) providing the tools to strengthen families. Keeping Families Connected is an imperative service in Indiana because so many inmates’ family members have no transportation to reach them. It is for this reason that Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministries is so important: it provides inexpensive transportation for family members as well as sustenance. There is no competition, Use What You’ve Got Keeping Families Connected Ministries is the ONLY business of its kind in Indiana. It’s founder Cecelia Whitfield is passionate and dedicated to the cause; a trait that ensures the company’s success. 

Providing the Tools to Strengthen Families: While strong family units are important elements for successful reentry, few resources are dedicated to this issue. In addition to the trauma of incarceration itself, these families may suffer from loss of income, humiliation, insufficient resources to care for themselves and their children, and disrupted family life. This can include disrupted education for school-aged children and parental neglect. Research has demonstrated that inmates with family connections during incarceration have a better chance of thriving than those without. Family contact does not only help the family members but the inmates as well. Research has correlated family involvement with reduced criminal activity, less drug use, and better employment outcomes. Such studies have gained much attention over the past couple of years, and many communities nationwide are placing greater emphasis on family engagement during and after incarceration. Research has demonstrated that family and friends are a returning prisoner’s most valuable source of support. Anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of newly released offenders rely on their families immediately after release This is why the work that Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministries does is so important. 

Holiday Assistance Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry organizes a toy and clothes give-away each year around Christmas with donated goods and financial support from churches, businesses, and volunteers. In a single year’s support over 200 children ride or use our service to visit their parents. The emotional and psychological effects on prisoners’ children are among the primary factors for intergenerational involvement in the criminal justice system. Studies indicate that the increasing number of children with incarcerated parents may constitute one of the largest at-risk populations in the United States. The holiday assistance promotes a time of fun and building new relationship with other children. Youth who have mothers and fathers who are in prison seek a positive connection with adults who will inspire, guide, understand and not overly restrict them. 

Re-entry program: The reentry coordinator is a formerly incarcerated young man who has successful reentry himself. The re-entry program will engage their families and community as a source of support for the released prisoner. Of the 7,000 inmates from Marion County in the state’s correctional institutions, 4,467 inmates will be released back to Marion County. The Indiana Department of correction (IDOC) estimates that 49% of the inmates to be released back to Marion County will commit new crimes and be back in prison within three years. Newly released prisoners face many challenges when reentering their communities and neighborhoods. 8 Often unable to participate in the economic mainstream due to further punishment and restrictions beyond the correctional facilities sentencing, ex-offenders often find themselves in worse situations than when they entered prison. The shame and misconceptions associated with incarceration often alienates ex-offenders from their families and communities... yet these support systems are vital for successful reentry. Substance abuse among prisoners and ex-offenders also presents challenges to reentry. Studies shows that most prisoners have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, yet few received treatment upon release, despite the research indicating proper treatment can reduce recidivism rates “Improving the availability and quality of substance abuse represents an important opportunity for intervention and prevention. There need to be more low-cost programs to provide treatment in neighborhoods where drug behavior exits.

 Annual Women’s Retreat: UWYGPM facilitates an annual women’s retreat to foster a support system for women and promote healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. At least 20-25 women attend each year and are taught coping skills as well as ways to manage depression, guilt, and anger. This program is designed to help change the thinking process and empower people/ women. We believe that to reduce repeat offenders, the incarcerated must have a support system of family members and community that show them that life can be lived differently than what they are currently exposed. The women’s retreat also offers an intensive focus on self-care. The goals are to help recognize strengths that are already present as well as the importance of burnout prevention in the face of so many family needs. To empower these hurting mothers, wives, and grandmothers. To help them experience peace and give them hope and a new vision for their lives and their loved ones who are incarcerated as well as their children. Most low-income women never get to travel to or experience the beauty of nature. These retreats help these women move from powerless toward personal well-being. Everything is FREE.

We also have a Men’s Retreat and Fishing for the guys.

Therapeutic Benefits

• Stress Relief and Mental Health Improvement: Fishing is a calming and meditative activity that encourages mindfulness, helping participants to relax and reduce stress. It can be a natural form of therapy, particularly helpful for those who have experienced trauma, anxiety, or depression.
• Connection with Nature: Spending time outdoors has been shown to improve mental health and foster a sense of peace. Nature can serve as a healing environment where individuals reflect on their life and work towards personal growth.

2. Building Social Support Networks

• Peer Bonding: The shared experience of a retreat, especially one involving an activity like fishing, allows participants to build camaraderie, trust, and support. These connections can be crucial for men who may lack strong social networks after incarceration or while dealing with difficult circumstances.
• Community Reintegration: For ex-offenders, reintegration can be challenging, especially when trying to connect with society. A retreat setting provides a supportive environment where they can gradually rebuild social skills and confidence.

3. Skill Development and Personal Growth

• Learning New Skills: Fishing itself can be a new skill for many participants, providing a sense of accomplishment. Learning to fish can teach patience, focus, and perseverance, which are valuable qualities for facing life’s challenges.
• Life Skills Training: In addition to fishing, the retreat can include workshops on life skills, financial literacy, communication, or conflict resolution. These skills are essential for long-term success in re-entering society and avoiding recidivism.

4. Reducing Recidivism and Encouraging Positive Change

• Alternative to Risky Behaviors: Engaging in meaningful recreational activities like fishing helps keep participants occupied in a positive way, reducing the likelihood of returning to harmful behaviors.
• Motivation to Stay on Track: Retreats can serve as motivational events that inspire men to pursue positive changes, continue their rehabilitation, and set goals for the future. Success stories from previous participants or mentors at the retreat can further reinforce the desire to stay on a productive path.

Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry has many tiers of operational procedures it must complete each year including financial, volunteer, and technological. Financially, Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry must adhere to all taxation and insurance laws including deposits to the Indiana Secretary of State, I.R.S. paperwork, and other legislative responsibilities. As a not-for-profit organization, Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry puts on various events each year including appreciation breakfasts, fundraising banquets, Christmas parties, women’s retreats, Men’s Retreat and educational classes. Finally, technologically Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry must keep its social media pages and website updated. EIN: 32-0004371.

"Thank you for your generosity. Your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of the families and friends of the incarcerated who are striving to overcome their past and build a brighter future. Together, we can make a difference."

Cecelia Whitfield, Executive Director

317 -728-2518