About R.I..F.T.

R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today's Prison Complex:

A working strategy of collaborative research and developmental efforts, specifically aimed
at the successful reintegration and social empowerment of the formerly incarcerated.

A diverse community approach committed to the avenue of outreach for the disadvantaged population known as the "formerly incarcerated"-both men and women, as they journey forward through the progress and process of becoming reintegrated back into their communities.

Bridging the gap from Prisons to Purpose: Fostering seeds of hope for our nations "Returning Citizens".  Promoting a new way of life in Freedom through emotional, economical and spiritual development, restoration and transformation. 

At R.I.F.T. Reaching Behind Bars, we are a network working together with community leaders, non-profit organizations, legislators and volunteers, family members, friends and the very 'Citizens" who are coming home from penal institutions nationwide.  Collectively we are striving for a more sensible approach to a Prisoner Re-entry Model that actually works!

The R.I.F.T. Mission:

To empower, encourage and enlighten the formerly incarcerated toward social and economical advancement, before and after release.  Working in a unified collaboration with city and state agencies
and organizations nationwide, that are committed to community and economical development -NOT excluding the ex-offender.

With efforts from organizations and individuals throughout the United States, we strive collectively
to assist in the successful reintegration of the disadvantaged minority population known as the formerly incarcerated, as they venture forward on their personal paths of becoming productive, contributing
members of society.
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R.I.F.T. Founder & Executive Director:

There is actually quite a lengthy story as to the decision of forming R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today's Prison Complex: Preferring to keep the entire history saved for another day, and instead focusing on the core of what R.I.F.T. truly stands for is in fact a better service to the population R.I.F.T. 
is committed to serving: Ex-Offenders, those who are currently incarcerated, the families of those incarcerated, the wrongfully convicted, those condemned to death row across our nation, and the youth who are vulnerable and at a dangerous reach to the hands and practices of our juvenile justice system.









The process and journey of shaping R.I.F.T. began in 2001 as I began my studies to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice with a second major in Psychology. That alongside my personal interest to explore and further develop my passion for writing about things that really matter, those very things that across my own personal life experiences, are the subjects people would more often would rather either sweep under the rugs of conscience and keep hushed away from open and honest dialogue.

The type of matters that would challenge a person to look at their own conscious realities and understandings of the world around them. Upon completing my studies and achieving my degree, I basically purposed myself to push beyond the limits of what many had rather said to me that: I was  "reaching for the impossible!" Well, in my own personal lifetime I came to understand that we as individuals are only as accomplished as we purpose ourselves to be!

Thank goodness I learned the meaning of [dream busters], because I intentionally shrugged off those statements about what was impossible for me and I pushed forward and applied my personal life history into the very heart of my passion which is to be of [service] to those who are vulnerable, pushed aside, discriminated against and literally held back- and or are forced against the walls of lowliness and despair.

Doing so with the [willingness] on my part to accept that it would literally require me to begin at the
bottoms of many challenging factors that come into play when one sets out to step up to bat for those who are disadvantaged and the very working systems in place in our nation to keep these individuals down.

In 2008 I was employed in a position with the Texas House of Representatives, a position that enabled me to become more aware of the shape of our current criminal justice system from an administrative level, as well as the functioning dynamics affecting ex-offenders. In 2008 I quietly began to map out a plan to apply my heart that is primarily driven for service to the very specific area of Prisoner Reentry efforts in our nation.

Beginning in Texas I began to engage with others, those that I refer to as [champions] of social conscience, professionals, legislators, organizational heads and volunteers, and those who are directly impacted by the very barriers that are indeed set in place to undermine a whole and successful transition into our communities- ex-offenders themselves and their families.

What we all share in common on this path is that collectively we are fundamentally driven by the heart of compassion and regard of another human life and their hardship. Therefore, we all are set out upon the long and winding course of making a difference in the very lives of those who have ever been convicted of a crime against society in some form or another. Weaving into these efforts the insights, wisdom and grace to somehow brainstorm together-with open minds, open hearts and an open understanding toward the successful fruition of seeing the true success of all humanity.

The R.I.F.T. journey has seen its highs and lows. In this line of work you literally come face to face with the reality of discrimination, bigotry, greed and indifference. You literally come face to face with some of the darker and most often hidden sides of human nature such as callousness, hatred, and judgment. 

Across the R.I.F.T. journey we literally come face to face with some of the most notoriously noted individuals who have played their roles in unspeakable crimes against society.
Across the R.I.F.T. journey, I have personally come face to face with the very mirror of my own human nature and my own personal conscience.  Across the R.I.F.T. journey, you also come face to face with the very real shape and state of our organized churches. There is a real difference between Religious based and Spiritually based entities.

In this line of work you also come face to face with the [heart] and unfortunately the absence of [heart] organizations. In this line of work I have become re-defined as to my personal purpose and existence in life; how I am called to play a role in my personal relationship with my fellowman or woman, regardless of where this fellowman or woman may be. I have a personal belief that some of the greatest hardships and experiences in one's life may very well be some of greatest, most monumental milestones.

In 2009 I officially launched R.I.F.T. Today, R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today's Prison Complex- is no longer a concentration centered on the State of Texas, but is now Reaching Behind Bars nationwide and internationally. The Prison Complex is a universal reality.

Shedding light, love, hope, peace and the Lord's promises to those who are broken, lost, struggling to rebuild themselves spiritually and economically, no matter where a person has been or is in someway still affected by the dynamics of the criminal justice system, that is the R.I.F.T. emphasis!

One thing R.I.F.T. Reentry Initiatives For Today's Prison Complex is NOT about is to be in the business of making money off of the blood, sweat and tears or circumstances of those very individuals we are set out to [serve] That is where R.I.F.T. stands apart!

I have met many who have inspired me to believe in the success of the R.I.F.T. concepts. One quote stands out like a beacon of influence to me: "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

R.I.F.T. Reaching Behind Bars of FACEBOOK:

http://facebook.com/Hope4ExOffenders