In addition to prisoner reentry being recognized as a national need, developing self-sufficiency within our communities has been increasing globally. This project intends to be a national model, utilizing proven therapeutic communities and adding to that basic premise the idea of sustainable living and business development. It will not only reduce recidivism as proven by the existing transitional therapeutic model, but also provide a community atmosphere for those whose lack of community involvement may have been the major contributing factor to their original deviant behavior and incarceration. This is a smart on crime approach to reduce offenses against the public and promote successful reentry that can later be nationally replicated.
Not only is there an enormous need to increase the capacity of community reentry facilities for returning local, state, and federal inmates in the U.S., but these limited programs have been hit by worsening economic conditions. With this in mind, we are developing this pilot program based on the proven record of specific therapeutic community models, which have been internationally recognized and replicated. This program would create a sustainable, self-sufficient community using returning prisoners to build agriculture and business for a group of people that not only can be completely self-sufficient, but also provide products and services to the surrounding localities and even subsidize local nonprofits or government service agencies.
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AdvoCare intends to use a four phase approach to developing this model:
First Phase – the first phase of this project is to raise money for the program while also a.) sponsoring sustainable agriculture workshops in numerous areas; b.) participating in sustainability and rural farming seminars; and c.) participating with local exchanges to create networks within chosen communities.
Second Phase – the second phase of this project will include hands on training for transitioning prisoners using local farms and businesses identified during the first phase.
Third Phase – during the third phase, one or more transitional therapeutic communities will be chosen to collaborate in developing land for a self sustaining farm that can provide for the needs of the program participants as well as contribute to the needs of the surrounding localities.
Fourth Phase – in this final phase it is the intent to utilize the land adjacent to the farming area to develop businesses and housing that can sustain the program itself, as well as program participants and their families, both with agricultural resources and revenue while at the same time providing an economic boost to surrounding areas.
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This model is intended to boost the ideals of actively contributing to community, self sufficiency, and charity that can be used in many different program models which may include crime prevention plans, alternatives to incarceration, and corresponding prison programs in addition to transitional facilities.
It is AdvoCare’s goal to raise $500,000 for this project prior to January 1, 2011.
Your contributions are needed and
appreciated!