The Pen Project Volume 2 | Issue 1 | Page 5

Over 2.2 million men, women, and juveniles are incarcerated in the United States today. Nearly 5 million are on either probation or parole. The United States has the highest prison population of any country in the world. Each year, 650,000 inmates are released into the general public. Approximately 70% of all inmates released will reoffend within 5 years of being released. Statistics provided by Wikipedia, US Department of Justice and the National Justice Institute who we are 513FREE began in 2007 with a desire to reach out to the lost and forgotten through music and hands-on ministry. Following the Holy Spirit’s lead, everything we did was completely free-of-charge, regardless of our audience. Most of our time was spent on the road, eventually totalling over 600 concerts and worship events nation- wide. Those events included: youth camps, worship nights, rehab centers, homeless shelters, college events, conferences, short-term mission trips, and more. In 2015 we asked God to show us His pur- pose for 513FREE. Through much prayer and discernment, a new mission statement was born: boldly sharing the Gospel with the incarcerated and those at-risk. Every- thing we do is still free-of-charge, but our audience has narrowed. The Tandem Mentorship Program shares life changing hope with Chippewa Valley youth through the support of Christ-centered mentors. Through a comprehensive process, we pair youth with qualified mentors. By building strong, healthy relationships early on in life, we can break the cycle of incarceration before it even begins. Today, 513FREE is actively working to break the cycle of incarceration through Christ-centered discipleship and programs for those at-risk of going, those currently in, and those being released from prison. PRISON OUTREAC H EVENTS Our success not only benefits those we serve, but also our communities as a whole. Less crime means less victims. what we do The only true way to break the cycle of incarceration is through the freedom found in Christ. We choose to put Christ at the center of everything we do. To maintain focus, these are the four ways we work to break the cycle: Visit us Online: www.513FREE.com Mailing: P.O. Box 1834 Eau Claire, WI 54702 Phone: 844-513-FREE (3733) We co-write a magazine called ‘The Pen Project,’ with the incarcerated and those at-risk. Through artwork, poetry, testimony, and creative writing the incarcerated share Jesus with fellow inmates, family and friends. re:entry is currently in a development and mobilization phase. It is our hope to make disciples who make disciples by assisting former inmates with housing, job placement, life skills and assimilation into Christ centered community. cente We coordinate, facilitate and perform in-prison outreach events where we share music, the Gospel, a time of worship and a time of response. By meeting inmates in prison, we’re able to point them toward life-change in the way towa of chaplain programs and the Christ centered community behind bars. 5