Director’s Comments February 2020

“What makes in2Action so successful?” is a question I am often asked, and this past week a staffer for Senator Blunt asked the same thing. I discussed with Hannah the “old” way of thinking which includes “if they do not have a job nothing else matters”, “if they do not have a place to live nothing else matters”, “if they cannot get off drugs nothing else matters”, and on and on. And of course, these solutions come from the employment experts, the housing experts, the addiction experts, and on and on. Not only are these “solutions” very self-serving, they turn out to be no real solution at all. It’s not hard to step back and realize that yes, people released from prison need all these things and more. But they need them all at the same time…otherwise, nothing else seems to matter.
So, what is up with in2Action? We have a 5% recidivism rate for people who stay engaged in our program for six months compared to a nearly 30% rate for everyone else in Boone County over the same time period. At the risk of sounding arrogant, that’s amazing. Nobody has that kind of impact on this population. I think Hannah, like many others, is asking the right question.
To start, in2Action is a Christ-centered program. For those of you who do not want to hear that, please read on just a few more sentences. While we do provide incredible opportunities for those we serve to grow in their faith, I think what makes the bigger difference is how the faith of our staff and volunteers impact the way we serve our participants. If I were to respond to the question “What makes in2Action different?” I would say RELATIONSHIPS. Real relationships.
For sure, in2Action provides residents everything listed above and more, and we provide it all at the same time. But our confidence is not in that alone. We believe what people need even more than all those “things” is a person. And that’s what we do at in2Action. Our volunteers and staff at in2Action do everything from providing rides, to individual counseling, to teaching life skills, to bringing over monthly meals. Everyone is taught, however, that the tasks they do are very simply a means (or an excuse) to develop meaningful relationships with the people we serve.
Make no mistake, I am very grateful for those who serve this population 8-5 Monday through Friday. This is a tough population and we will take all the help we can get. But we must understand that all the training, education, certifications, or even experience cannot compete with the helper who truly cares, who truly loves, and who truly believes they are part of a much bigger story. The relationships which lead to the outcomes we see at in2Action can only be born out of a transformed heart and a love for our creator and for all who He has created.
I am aware of those who dismiss or even oppose Christ-centered interventions. I love you; I really do. I welcome your efforts to build a better community and a better world. What is happening at in2Action, however, is nothing short of miraculous. To all our supporters, you can count on in2Action to continue full speed ahead on our current course and my prayer is that our outcomes tomorrow will be better than our outcomes today.