11/9/12 - A fundraising dinner for a local jail outreach program attracted more than 600 people to Crystal Gardens last night. The Forgotten Man Ministry is a Christian outreach program founded in 1963 which focuses on providing counseling, education, and evangelism to inmates of the Michigan prison system. Chaplain Allan Reiman tells WHMI that Forgotten Man aims to provide structured and well-trained support for inmates both within the jail system and after they are released. It operates in 36 jails across the state, including the Livingston County Jail. The program is endorsed by Sheriff Bob Bezotte, who spoke at last nightâs fundraiser about the success the ministry has had with counseling and rehabilitating inmates. Last nightâs dinner included testimonials from former inmates of the Livingston County Jail as well as family members who had benefited from Forgotten Manâs services and gone on to become responsible citizens who give back to the community. Speakers also discussed programs being offered by Forgotten Man around the state which they said has been found over the past four years to lower an inmateâs projected recidivism rate from about 80% to less than 30%. The annual dinner typically provides more than half of the organizationâs yearly funds. (TD)
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