Nonprofit groups aims to reduce recidivism rate
The Springfield State Journal-Register
(Springfield, Illinois) January 27, 2007
A community-based nonprofit corporation that helps prison inmates
and people formerly incarcerated invites the community to volunteer
in its organization. LORENZO and BEVEY LOUDEN founded TOWER OF
REFUGE INC. in 2005 in Springfield.
Its purpose is to reduce the rate of recidivism in
Illinois
through various programs and community effort. The organization
provides several re-entry services to help people who are in prison,
former inmates and their families. Programs and services include
education, employment readiness, health education, Bible study,
family reconciliation and housing assistance.
For example, the organization is facilitating community re-entry
services at the Logan Correctional Facility in
Lincoln and is partnering with another group at the
Jacksonville
Correctional
Center
in mostly transitional services.
"Our re-entry services are a little different. We spend a lot more
in-depth time with the re-entry services. Our program is designed to
cover their last 24 months of incarceration," said Bevey Louden, the
organization's director of programs. "The idea is to help them get
prepared for life on the outside and to begin to make that mental,
physical and emotional adjustment although they're still
incarcerated."
The Loudens' personal experience with incarceration is among the
reasons they founded Tower of Refuge. Lorenzo, the executive director,
is an ex-felon who was sent to prison at the age of 19. He served 17
years behind bars, having been sentenced to six to 18 years for
conspiracy and 50-60 years for a contract murder under an
indeterminate sentence. He's been out of prison since 1994.
"We have collectively been doing volunteer services of many
different types. I've always been drawn to those who have the most
severe need and who seem to be overlooked," Bevey Louden said. "My
brother was incarcerated, and as he approached his release, we began
to understand the complications all over again of finding him a
place to go, what was an acceptable program for Department of
Corrections, how do you help him evolve." The Loudens decided to
address such needs on a larger scale through Tower of Refuge.
Volunteers are welcome to help in various ways, including
rehabilitation of two houses the organization will be acquiring. An
individual is needed to coordinate donations. People also are needed
for fundraising. Tower of Refuge
is funded mostly through donations.
"We don't want this to be something that is a handout for them. It's
a charitable organization, but the charity is that what we're giving
you will sustain you. It will not just feed you for today," Bevey
Louden said.
Tower
of Refuge
also seeks to reconcile family relationships and protect the
integrity of neighborhoods. "This program isn't just about the
individual. It's about the entire community," she said.
For more information, contact
Tower of Refuge Inc. at P.O. Box 6422, Springfield,
IL 62708;
phone and fax, 492-9497; or e-mail info@towerofrefugeinc.com.
The Web site is
www.towerofrefugeinc.com.
The Loudens also do speaking engagements.
Tower
of Refuge
participates in the Central Illinois Recovery Coalition.