Newsletter Story: Welcome Home!

Last week I sat down with one of our new male residents. Jerry* is in his mid-fifties. He said, “the last 35 years of my life can be defined by drug addiction and a TDCJ number.” In and out of prison, he had found Jesus along the way through one of many ministries faithfully sharing Jesus inside Texas prisons and jails.

As I sat with Jerry, he looked around in disbelief. In less than 24 hours he had gone from a sterile prison environment to a beautiful new home with a soft couch, brand new floors, air conditioning, and a fridge full of foods he had not seen in a long, hungry time. Best of all, he had come to a home with TROM staff and fellow residents who communicated God’s love to him through open arms and practical help navigating the many tasks new residents have to accomplish.

In talking on the phone with family members, Jerry said he cried when he described the home he was in and the welcome he had received.

Jerry’s experience is multiplied many times as we receive new men and women into the program at Texas Reach Out. If Jerry sticks with the program, he has a high probability of transitioning successfully through Texas Reach Out into society - a sober and godly man, a productive citizen, and a faithful father and/or husband.

I am pleased to report that in the past few months our residents are staying with us longer, increasing their chance of success. With a few exceptions, the men and women in the homes are staying with us, learning God’s Word through Bible studies and church, and growing in their jobs.

Through your generous support and faithful commitment to the residents of Texas Reach Out, God is blessing with changed lives. We are so grateful that you have journeyed with us through a tough 2020. God tests, and we respond in faith. God blesses with His Kingdom advancing in the dark places. We see this every day at Texas Reach Out. Thank you for being His light and our partners. Without you, Jerry would not have a wonderful, safe, sober place to stay where God is able to do the heart work so needed to successfully reenter our world.

Dale Brown, Executive Director

*Name changed for privacy.

How can you help welcome new residents?

When new residents arrive at Texas Reach Out, they are given one $25 gift card (HEB or Walmart) and one 7-day bus pass as part of their welcome packet. If you would like to donate funds to be used for gift cards or bus passes, click the link below! Gift cards can also be mailed directly to Texas Reach Out at PO Box 17006 Austin, TX 78760.

In addition to a gift card and bus pass, new residents also receive a welcome bundle with a variety of goods to help them settle into their new home. If you or a group are interested in assembling welcome bundles, email us for more information.