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"This program is incredible. It has changed my life. I cannot wait to go back to my community and let all those kids who are taking the wrong path know that there is a different way." Kimone Ford, LCJC Alumni |
Corps members landscaping Danny Jones Complex
With a local prisoner recidivism rate of over 67%, and direct and indirect cost of $50,000 per inmate per year, the Lowcountry Civic Justice Corps represents an innovative and effective solution to improve public safety at reasonable cost, and to boost the health of families and neighborhoods. What we do The Lowcountry Civic Justice Corps' purpose is to combat recidivism by taking a proactive approach to rehabilitation. Services offered are intended to help individuals make lifestyle - not short-term - changes. Our education-focused style supports our mission to give individuals the foundation they need to make positive choices on their paths to restructuring their lives. The program is unique in that it does not simply focus on job skills training; although job skills are a major part of rehabilitation it is only a small part of our ultimate goal of positive redirection. In addition to training in “Green” building, education and mentoring the Lowcountry Civic Justice Corps also provides the unique opportunity for inmates to become AmeriCorps members. Upon completion of service participants receive an educational scholarship and most importantly they learn the value of service. This added motivation decreases the likelihood of the individual slipping back into the old habits which caused his initial incarceration.Corps graduates come out of the program with a new focus which includes a want to contribute positively to the restructuring of their community, their families and their lives. "This is incredible. This is exactly what we are looking for." Senator Glenn F. McConnell, Following Presentation of LCJC to Charleston Legislative Delegation
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Classes Results & Accomplishments The effect of the services offered by the Lowcountry Civic Justice Corps are not limited to the program's participants; the benefits are radiated throughout the community. Now in our second year, our 3 Corps groups have graduated 33 men. We've built 5, new green, affordable homes, completed 7 building "rehab" generating $60,000 in annual income, and conducted 7 service projects. We estimate the value of these home and building improvements to be in excess of $750,000. We receive calls from cities across the nation seeking guidance on adopting our LCJC model and achieving our 0% recidivism rate. Corps Contributions to the Community Corps contributions include: rebuilding the home of Ms. Eartha Breshers, a local woman whose home was lost in an electrical fire; City Clean Sweep; landscaping of the Danny Jones Complex; assistance in the community clean-up of the Liberty Hill neighborhood; assembling metal buildings for the non-profit Metanoia Foundation, an organization that builds affordable housing in North Charleston; and, landscaping of the Whipper Barony neighborhood entrance. Future Goals We receive 80 – 100 applications for each new Corps. Thus, our goals are:
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