THE FRIENDSHIP CONNECTION
Meeting the Need
The Center for Independent Learning, Inc. at 1480 Raymond Road, Jackson, Mississippi, 39204 is uniquely designed to help women returning to society with a specific focus on reducing recidivism.
Inspired by an ex-offender on the difficulty of the re-entry into society, Church Women United sponsored the original effort. To meet that need, cooperation from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, the Mental Health authorities and the courts had ensured the program's viability.
On January 29, 1990, the residential treatment facility, The Friendship Connection, was dedicated. By 2002, more than 500 women have received services.
The incorporated Center for Independent Learning, chartered by the State of Mississippi, provides a residency training program for women released from prison with drug/alcohol abuse histories. The excellent results have assured further basic funding from some of the sponsoring agencies.
Additional funding for the educational needs and follow-up care, such as, registration fees for seminars, workshops and training courses, is much needed to further insure their ability to lead lives of credit to their communities.
Over the years, the board of directors has consistently been made up of community leaders from business, government, welfare, education, church and communications.
Of invaluable worth has been the help of the "graduates" of the program who give a hand wherever possible. This encouragement and example inspire the clients to help others in turn. The "graduates" have made The Friendship Connection facility a launch pad for a whole new life. That is a credit to their families and communities.
Alcohol/Drug Counseling
The Friendship Connection strives to provide a quality counseling program within a therapeutic environment, including individual and group counseling and family counseling on an as needed basis.
Education
The Friendship Connection provides the opportunity for clients to improve their literacy level by encouraging participation in the agency sponsored GED preparation/testing and Life Coping Skills classes.
Job Placement
The Friendship Connection assists and encourages consumers to seek and maintain employment. The facility provides referrals and aides in the transportation, clothing and obtaining of legal documents needed to verify employment eligibility.
Housing Assistance
The Friendship Connection has associations with several housing authorities that range from helping pay the first month utilities/rent to home furniture, gift baskets, etc..
Aftercare Program
In 1993, The Friendship Connection added an aftercare program. The agency added additional support for the graduates by having a weekly support group and bi-weekly individual sessions. The aftercare program has grown innumerous over the past years and continues to provide positive support to the community.
 The Friendship Connection |
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