Equipping Men For Life!

The Mission’s Rehabilitation program, known as The Academy, is for men whose lives have been broken by homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, physical and mental abuses, jail and/or prison experiences. The Academy provides hope for a normal life, the opportunity for restoration, and wholeness that comes from faith in God.

What is the Academy Program?

• An 18-month (12 month residential, 6 month aftercare) rehabilitation, work-therapy, and career-development program for men.
• Graduates can take advantage of an optional transitional program at the Fresno Rescue Mission’s New Start Transitional Home
• An ongoing aftercare program follows either of the above phases.

The Academy men participate in work therapy and education programs with emphasis on the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the foundation for life change. The Academy’s purpose and objectives are:

• To teach the men to become Disciples of Christ.
• To restore the lives of broken men, leading to restoration and healing of families.
• To equip the men with resources that lead to the development of moral values and Christ-like character, producing a change in behaviors and attitudes.
• To provide training, increase developmental skills, and aid men in securing employment upon graduation (accomplished through our new Computer Learning and Career Development Center).

Men are referred to The Academy by family members, churches or social services. Some of the men are referred from the jail, court or prison system.

• Feeling spiritually lost and morally confused without Christ Jesus.
• Lives that are in shambles.
• A history of substance abuse and lawless behavior.
• A lack of educational, life and vocational skills.

When a man enters the The Academy, he makes a conscious decision to change and move forward in his life. It is not an easy decision. Many changes will take place over the ensuing months that will continually challenge this man in every area in his life.

• A willingness to obey the rules and requirements of the program and to submit to its leaders
• An openness and receptivity to Christianity
• Be clean and sober from drugs and alcohol for 30 days
• A commitment to the full one-year program
• Take responsibility for life failures and life change
• No drug, alcohol or tobacco use
• No games - be serious about positive life change

The Community of Fresno reaps many economic benefits from supporting our effective rehabilitation program:

• We estimate our cost at $9,125 (non-taxpayer money – funding comes from the generous donations of our community) compared with up to $35,000 per year to house him in the county jail (taxpayer money). Because we meet many of the emotional, spiritual and educational needs of the individual, as well as his physical needs, he is better able to live a successful life and avoid the high recidivism rate among many offenders, thus saving additional taxpayer dollars.

• When a man is able to return to the workforce he produces tax dollars for the community, rather than depleting tax resources spent to incarcerate or subsidize expenses through unemployment. This benefit serves to reduce prison populations and the need to build costly new facilities.

• Our efforts to restore family relationships become the building block to future benefits. A working family man prevents dependents from drawing unemployment or welfare monies, and a healthy family situation builds a legacy of character, encouraging future generations to make healthier life choices.

“In 25 years of ministry, I have seen nothing apart from the life-changing power of Jesus Christ that can lift a person out of a life of crime and restore him to being a good citizen.”
-Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries