SWANSBORO PRISON MINISTRY

ABOUT

Inspired by our Prison Justice Study, members of both Reveille and our partner Koinonia Community Church have started a prison ministry.

UPCOMING EVENT

Prison Ministry Dinner Programs, April 8 and 15
Join Reveille United Methodist Church and Koinonia Community Church for evening programs in Reveille’s fellowship hall on prison ministry. On April 8, Rev. Jim Melson will discuss the history of mass incarceration. On April 15, Pastor Jay Scruggs will talk about the importance of prison ministry. A dinner will be served at 5:30 pm before each program. Register to attend

MINISTRY PARTNERS

AFOI (Assisting Families of Inmates)
Started as a ministry of Second Presbyterian Church, AFOI is now an independent nonprofit organization. AFOI helps prevent the breakdown of relationships between the incarcerated and their families by providing meaningful visitation, family support, and children’s services. Reveille has worked with AFOI’s Milk & Cookies program in Swansboro Elementary.

Reveille provides quarterly meals for families taking AFOI’s free buses to visit their incarcerated loved ones in Virginia’s state prisons. We also hold periodic donation drives to provide supplies.

REAL LIFE
Founded by Dr. Sarah Scarbrough when she saw the reentry challenges inmates faced while working at the Richmond jail, REAL LIFE runs a reentry program for men and women who have substance abuse challenges. REAL LIFE provide a comprehensive program that helps folks with recovery, employment, education, and life skills. Clients live in one of their 11 houses during the 7 months it generally takes to complete the program.

Reveille supports REAL LIFE with volunteer events and periodic donation drives to provide supplies.

PATH REENTRY PROGRAM
PATH Reentry was founded by Andrea Edmunds, a former parole officer, and Anthony Gomez. Andrea served as Anthony’s parole officer and advocated for him to receive a second chance after serving 24 years in prison. PATH Reentry’s mission is to help men like Anthony who have served lengthy prison sentences. They are committed to providing housing, peer mentoring, and transitional services to help returning citizens successfully reintegrate into the community.

Reveille holds periodic donation drives to provide supplies and other items for PATH Reentry’s three transition homes.

WRITING LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Rev. Jay Scruggs, pastor of our Swansboro partner Koinonia Community Church, inspired all of us with his personal testimony at the Prison Justice Study held at Reveille in early 2025. Pastor Jay asked us to write letters of encouragement to three men he personally knows in the federal prison system. Click here to learn more and sign up.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Jill Gaynor or Nadja Gutowski for more information.