Amazing Grace. Lives Transformed - We Raise Foundation

Amazing Grace. Lives Transformed.

Last September, three men stood together before a packed crowd at the Community Warehouse gala in Milwaukee, Wis. They raised their voices in “Amazing Grace”—a hymn they once sang together in prison, where they found spiritual freedom in Christ. Now, they sang as free men, living in joyful hope.

This transformation stems from the help of a $100,000 three-year GrantsPlus Grant from We Raise, which your generous giving made possible. Through intensive workshops, skills training, mentoring, and community support, Partners in Hope—a Community Warehouse program—helps formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society.

One of the men singing at the gala was Frank, who also shared his testimony with the audience. “The man you see standing before you right now is not the man I used to be. What you see is a work in progress that’s going to continue,” he began.

Like all Partners in Hope participants, Frank attended a one-week, intensive, reentry workshop, which covered basic skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Upon completion of the workshop, participants continue to receive education and skills training and, after three months, they are given assistance in securing a living-wage position. A case worker oversees progress, a mentor provides friendship and spiritual nurture, and an accountability partner holds them responsible.

For Frank and others, Wednesday night “Huddles,” meetings permeated with love and acceptance, are the highlight of the program. Many reentering society from the prison system find Huddles crucial for success. It’s here that participants, graduates, police officers, and community members share dinner and candid conversation, enveloped in grace and second chances.

“They’re never judgmental,” says Jimmette, a former program participant. “They always made me comfortable talking about my past and how I can grow so I don’t make the same mistakes again. They taught me to confront my past criminal mistakes.

“They made me feel comfortable sitting next to an officer in uniform so we could get to know one another and try to learn from each other,” Jimmette continues. “The mayor of Milwaukee even took time to sit and talk with us and reassure us that if we are willing to help ourselves, they are willing to help us, as well!

“Partners in Hope doesn’t just talk about being helpful. They really show up!”

Your support provides crucial programming, but even more—it provides possibility where society too often offers none. The Partners in Hope program helps restore and give back what crime strips away-freedom, dignity, purpose.

The night Frank sang “Amazing Grace,” he wasn’t only celebrating personal redemption. He sang as living proof that grace and compassion transform. In chorus with him stood evidence of barriers overcome, promise unleashed, and lives ablaze with new opportunity. The song was for you—for those whose giving fuels radical new beginnings.

 

We work hand in hand with Christian non-profits to end poverty, violence and inequality in our communities. Take action today and raise up those in need.