The Second Chance Program from St. Vincent de Paul

The goal is for formerly incarcerated participants to become faithful citizens, loving family members and economically self-sufficient.

Second Chance places volunteer “Companions” and Professional Case Managers with select individuals seeking a way out of the cycle of incarceration. The program helps individuals prepare spiritually, intellectually and socially for successful living in the “free world.”

Join the Second Chance “Companion” Team

We are seeking “Companions” for our Second Chance Companion Program. We offer “Companions the opportunity to share their life experiences with persons seeking a mentoring influence in their lives. Second Chance is an effort from St. Vincent de Paul that is a solutions based opportunity that will transform lives, help to end crime, and make our communities safer.

A US Dept. of Justice Study says released prisoners who have had the benefit of being helped by a “Companion” were 39 percent less likely to return to prison, twice as likely to find a job, and more likely to stay in a recovery or educational program.

 “Companion” Qualifications

Be at least age 35, mature, & interested in helping people, be emotionally stable, dependable, compassionate and faithful. Our “Companions” are friends and role models who provide a listening ear, are a point of accountability, and advocates. “Companions” are not therapists, social workers, parole officers, counselors or banks.

 Background Information on Released Incarcerated Adults

Every year, about 3,600 formerly incarcerated men and women return to King County from state prisons. Over half of all released prisoners are re-incarcerated within three years.

Approximately 50 percent of released prisoners have a job secured at their release. About 40 percent of released prisoners have a high school diploma. Over 70 percent of released inmates suffer from drug or alcohol addiction.

The call for the Second Chance Companion Program is to restore the Christ like potential of people and thus restore justice to the community. The mandate for this vision resides in the Gospel of Luke: “Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and now has been found”. Luke 15: 23-24

 Volunteer, Give, Advocate.

We invite you to become a part of our program and consider joining us as a “Companion.” Please visit our website www.svdpseattle.org for an application. We can arrange a presentation for your group. We encourage you to consider giving financial support to St. Vincent de Paul Seattle/King County. We’re a registered 501(c3) organization. Your tax exempt donation will help fund our Second Chance Companion Program, our Neighbor Survival Help Program and to help our neighborhood conferences to make in-home visits to help people in need, and our Food Bank which provides 1.6 million meals per year.

 Thank you for your support!

 Thomas Wagner, Director of Human Support Services
St. Vincent de Paul Seattle|King County

5950 4th Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98108

P: (206) 767-9975 Ext. 1121
E: thomasw@svdpseattle.org
www.svdpseattle.org

 St. Vincent de Paul Mission

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic volunteer organization, leads individuals to join together to offer person-to-person service to the poor and the suffering. And in doing this work, we all enrich our lives spiritually.

 About St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul Seattle/King County was started in our area in 1920. We have over 50 Catholic Parish-based neighborhood volunteer conference groups providing person-to-person in-home visits to people needing help. We serve everyone who needs help without regard to religion, faith, race, color, creed, national origin, or sex. We have big hearts and we’re business-like stewards of the investment donations people entrust with us. About 95 cents of every dollar goes directly to help people, with only 5 cents going to administration.