Let's Start

Let’s Start, a branch of Criminal Justice Ministry, is a program dedicated to assisting women in transition from prison life to society. It is unique in that it is coordinated by women who themselves have been through the criminal justice system. 

Let’s Start offers the following: 

• a weekly support group facilitated by a formerly incarcerated woman; 
• individual follow-up and referrals to participants; 
• weekly activities (tutoring, computer learning, crafts, games) for children when their moms are participating the the group sessions; 
• presentations and performances of “Stories of Hope” to educate the public about issues affecting women ex-prisoners and their families; 
• bus trips to the Vandalia Women’s Prison for children to visit their incarcerated mothers; 
• a parent education program designed to meet the unique needs of formerly incarcerated mothers; 
• individual and group work for 25 children whose lives have been impacted by parental incarceration; 
• and a micro-enterprise program which requires participants to take part in a five-hour financial literacy course.