In June of 2015, the St. John Neumann (SJN) chapter of SVdP started a ministry at the Delaware County Jail (DCJ).  Many of the inmates we serve are first time offenders; others are dealing with addiction issues. Both situations are vital for faith-based initiatives.  We quickly learned the depth of need that inmates required from our spiritual resources.

     Our main message to the inmates is to remember two basic things:

             1. We are all no more than saved sinners.  

             2. No one needs to be defined by their time in jail. 

     This starting point is our communion with the inmates.

We follow up with this messaged by offering material needs to returning citizens.  We lead a Navigation program inside DCJ that works within the ecumenical community of the city of Delaware. Navigation is often a needs assessment for the inmates, but also an educational mentorship with other ministers.  We cover topics from preparing for job interviews to anger management.  

Continued Accompaniment

     In 2018, our ministry started LEAF. This program is a support group for families of the incarcerated.  LEAF is originally based out of the Diocese of Cleveland where they had tremendous success uniting families.  We worked closely with the Columbus Diocese's ARCH team to put a program of our own together at St John Neumann.  

     It is through our Navigation Needs Assessments that we realized that nearly half of the men leaving jail did not have a safe housing option. We had been trying to place men in shelters, but none were in Delaware County near the jail where the men had obligations to fulfill in regards to their release.

     Delaware St. Mary’s and St. John Neumann's SVdP conferences teamed up to start to learn about what it takes to develop a shelter for men.  We have begun to focus on the general need of sheltering men leaving local incarceration. This blog will provide further information about this program, and the returning citizenry that is served by the programs mentioned above.

     Please reach out if you have questions about our jail ministry, or if you or family members have needs as a returning citizen.  

     Delaware County Men’s Shelter and Jail Ministry can be reached at: 740-833-6057