Love Beyond Incarceration

When Andrew walked in The Salvation Army’s Oberlin Service Unit seeking food assistance, he was basically homeless and weighed just 96 pounds. As he met with our staff, his story began to unfold.  Andrew had served our country in Afghanistan, but due to injuries and trauma, he began self-medicating and became addicted to heroin. As he continued to share his story, it was clear he was caught in a cycle of addiction.

We encouraged Andrew to continue speaking with us.  We shared with Andrew that The Salvation Army had programs that could help him if he wanted to turn his life around.  Andrew accepted our invitation, and allowed us to walk alongside of him on the journey to a healthy life. Through The Salvation Army’s 49-9 Project, we were able to place him in both The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter and detox program at our Harbor Light Complex, and then once he was clean, he entered our Adult Rehabilitation Center in Cleveland.  Here he would stay for three months working on finding employment and getting stronger mentally and physically every day.  We worked with several courts to help him begin to clear up legal issues stemming from his addiction.  It fills our hearts to share that Andrew is now sober, free from legal issues and working as a Peer Specialist with a local recovery center.

During this time, we also developed a relationship with Andrew’s mother who had been devastated by her son’s addiction and legal troubles. Through many conversations, she was able to make peace with the situation and follow his progress to sobriety. They now have an amazing, strong and supportive relationship. 

What was a very proud moment concerning Andrew once he became an adult?

“It was always just Andrew and I, and once he made the decision to enter into the Military, I thought his world would be so fulfilled.”

Once Andrew was released and he came back home, did you see a difference in him?

“Yes, he had hurt his back after doing two tours in the Military, and it was hard for Andrew to cope with no meds and a mother telling him to go to work and use the skills he had learned while stationed in the Military.”

What was starting to happen with your relationship with Andrew? When did you discover he had an addiction?

“Having an only child and starting to see his moods change and just thinking that it was from transition from the military, I just couldn't pinpoint where the disconnect was with him. We have always been so close his whole life. Thing’s started to spiral really quickly.”

What was starting to happen with your relationship with Andrew? When did you discover he had an addiction?

“My whole world just got flipped upside down. I was now watching my son lose weight, be angry, and I would help him out financially because I didn’t want to get a call, that he was dead from being on the streets. I no longer slept at night. I was sick to my stomach every day. My eating habits changed, my work knew I was trying to help my son, but all I knew was he was now living on the streets, or on some drug dealers couch.”

Andrew came into my office weighing 96 pounds and looking for food. I knew what I was looking at concerning Andrew, and I needed to act fast. I contacted you with Andrew’s permission and you cried because Mark and myself were offering him a chance to get some help. As he had many times before. That started several years of in and out of rehabs. Meeting you for breakfast and hearing the new updates about Andrew, I always thought of my own boys and my struggle as a single mother.

“Pure relief!! I must thank The Salvation Army and you and Mark for giving him an opportunity to have a life again. I sleep all night now. Andrew is a Peer Support Specialist with an organization, and he has learned of the compassion that you shared with him. Mark transporting him, and my son being able to always count on an organization that see’s a need and you do whatever you can to help. I know at anytime he can relapse, but I just know he won’t. I have no more stomach pains, or anxiety about what Andrew is doing. If a couple of day’s go by and I haven’t heard from him, I don’t get nervous or start calling him over and over anymore. I know he is out there helping other’s and without The Salvation Army, my son probably would not be alive.”

The Northeast Ohio Salvation Army (NEOSA) is expanding the 49-9 Project Prison Ministry as correctional facilities move from under the shadow of Covid-19.

The program was started in 2013 using Director Mark Fahringer’s own experiences in the correctional system and a family member’s tragic experience being held hostage by a released offender.

“That situation really pushed me,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone else to have to go through that if I could make a difference.”

Based on Isaiah 49:9, the program immediately began to grow and had reached 6,000 inmates by the time Covid-19 closed Ohio prisons to outside programs.  

Despite the suspension of programming in the institutions, the 49-9 Project continued to provide financial assistance to individuals being released from prisons in Northeast Ohio during the pandemic.  

The 49-9 Project is now reentering institutions to once again facilitate classes focusing on faith-based programming to help individuals realize their inner strength and move past their crimes.  Practical classes including job searches, resume writing, and interviewing skills are also in the works. Once released, inmates will be linked to Christian worships and pastoral care opportunities at local Salvation Army Corps Community Centers while continuing case management and mentoring within the program.