Founders♥ EX-CONS
♥
Empowered
Unknown
Citizens
On
(A) New
Start:
Founders
“My success as a free man since my release on January 2, 2003, can be attributed to three things: consistency (in remembering where I’ve come from and where I want to go), discipline (in my life choices connected to my failure or my success), and patience (with myself, people-both family and friends – and in understanding living outside prison walls).”
- Comrade Walter “Chuck” Robinson, Jr.
Walter (aka Chuck) and Denita Robinson have a passion for prison ministry predicated on 1 John 3:17-19 … “Demonstrating love in action – not talking about it, but being about it.” We believe in keepin’ it real as we move about to minister to others through the sharing of our personal testimony. Having met two weeks after Chuck’s release from serving a 20 year prison sentence, we were married. We take the wisdom gleaned from this match made in heaven to provide hope and inspire others towards their potential – enter EX-CONS.
During a trip to Jefferson City in October 2007 for a workshop on prisoner re-entry, Chuck and Denita received divine inspiration and spiritual enlightenment confirming the necessity of such a support group. Even further, EX-CONS would serve as a training program that would ultimately serve as dual roles.
EX-CONS is an adult off-shoot of our juvenile re-entry program Heart 2 Heart, Inc. – a cognitive educational program facilitated in the juvenile detention centers – city and county. Beyond the support & life skills training for themselves, these adults in-turn will provide a mentorship/support to young offenders in our CAPSTONE educational program.
Why the Name EX-CONS?
Although through the years the term used to reference one involved with the criminal system has undergone many changes (prisoners, convicts, inmates, offenders, clients etc.), we felt it proper to maintain a term that describes the mentality of this group – no longer institutionalized nor no longer wanting to be identified with such a lifestyle. To most, con describes individuals who have spent much of their lives using trickery or manipulation to survive. An ex-con would thus imply one has been reformed and/or transformed. Yet, upon returning to society, he or she is soon faced with the reality and daunting task of having to prove such a transformation. Having already paid one’s debt to society he/she now resides, the focus then is in the name itself, and the acronym divinely inspired that speaks to the crux and understanding of their personal journey: Empowered Unknown Citizens On (a) New Start!
What is EX-CONS?
EX-CONS is a life skills training & support group comprised of individuals, both male and female, who have been released from a department of corrections facility. The groups’ composition includes individuals at various stages of the re-entry process who desire to be instrumental in reaching back to provide educational enlightenment and training to help prepare and empower others who are about to return to society. EX-CONS are individuals with a knowledge and understanding of the various dynamics to re-enter society successfully – relinquishing all ties to the system. EX-CONS recognize this success requires a multi-faceted approach and solid support system.
Mission Statement
To train, educate and empower clients involved in the system in any capacity (both inside and outside) with the proper knowledge and understanding of necessary skills to become productive citizens in “Society”.
Objectives
EX-CONS has three main objectives:
Foundation
EX-CONS is a faith based organization. The founders are Christians who maintain a belief in God (the Father), whose Son, Jesus, offers salvation to all-fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our faith allows us to embrace all individuals of diverse religious backgrounds, not their belief system. Diversity is strength!
“The first
step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. ”
- Ben Stein
The EX-CONS Panel Members:
For more information about EX-CONS please call Chuck at 314-566-3216.