The Blessing Way gives men and women returning from drug treatment a real chance for success

By Betty Sloane
Sr. Warden, St. Peter’s & St. Andrew’s Church

What happens to a person when he or she is released from prison? There is probably no job waiting for you.  Staying away from what put you in there is hard enough without all the other stresses.  You have good intentions, at least initially, but let’s face it, when you have nowhere to go but up, it’s tough getting that first foothold.

Did you know that out of all the women released from prison, a dozen per year die during the first 4 months of release?  For too many more (about 55%), it’s only a matter of time before returning to prison.

I learned that information from my priest, Reverend Dr. Joyce Penfield. Rev. Penfield has been ¼ time priest-in-charge at my church, St. Peter’s & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church since about the time that “The Blessing Way” programming began. Her full time job (considered ¾ by the Diocese) was, and remains today, as Chaplain at the ACI for Women’s and Men’s Minimum and Work Release.
We heard about The Blessing Way which would give spiritual and social support to those returning to the regular world from either prison or a rehab program.  Rev. Penfield had specific plans, a structured program providing spiritual and emotional support and counseling, job readying, job placement, community service, temporary housing, clothing and a lot more.

“The Blessing Way” is a faith-based agency which provides spiritual and social support for men and women who are returning to the Providence area from prison or drug treatment.  We offer holistic, wrap-around personalized guidance and support to those who have demonstrated a commitment to recovery, personal change, and social responsibility.

“The Blessing Way” was formed in 2004 under the direction of Rev. Dr. Joyce Penfield as an Ecumenical (loosely translated, non-denominational) effort to offer a spiritually-oriented response to the high rate of return to prison and death by overdose among formerly incarcerated men and women.
My church houses offices and meetings, job counseling and other fellowship get-togethers for “The Blessing Way.”  We as a congregation enjoy the company of new members and special events and outreach program volunteers—Blessing Way constituents.  We get to see some of the success stories first hand.

If you want to find out more about The Blessing Way programs and services and job opportunities, visit the website at: www.theblessingway.org or send your email to: blessingwayinfo@yahoo.com .   If you are not computer crazy, or you just plain prefer to speak to a human, call 401-350-0021 but you may have to leave a message.  You will get a call back.