Healing Communities Model
The HAT program uses as one of it program elements, the model developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation known as HEALING COMMUNITIES. The Healing Communities model is based up churches and other Houses of Worship that are interested in making a commitment to becoming a church that is welcoming towards the men and women who have been incarcerated, and their families.
Within the HAT program, the Healing Communities model is the basic foundation used in a collaborative manner creating a network of churches, allowing the power of many to support each other and to build a strong support system of faith centered mentors all working together. The manuals below are a wonderful resource for each house of worship and outline the concepts used within the Healing Communities model.
All faith leaders interested in participating in the HAT program are asked to review the materials below prior to signing on as a Station of Hope. They can guide you through the conversation as to how you can become a welcoming facility for Returning Citizens.
Church Based Resources:
Compliments of the Annie E. Casey Foundation
The Healing Community guides help to engage congregations in the restoration and healing of members of their own congregation affected by crime, incarceration and reintegration. Building a Healing Community in your congregations can lead to the transformation of hearts and minds and the building of relationships that support people. The guides are not focused on creating a program but developing a ministry of formal and informal support, volunteer service, networking and advocacy - all drawing from the belief systems and unique strengths of the faith community -- acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, redemption and restoration.
THE HEALING COMMUNITY GUIDE (Download) 2.4 MB
BALANCING JUSTICE WITH MERCY: CREATING A HEALING COMMUNITY (Download) 1.9 MB
BALANCING JUSTICE WITH MERCY: WHAT IS A HEALING COMMUNITY (Download) 193 KB
These guides were developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which is eager for your feedback about their content as well as your use of the guides in your congregations. Please let them know what you think at reentry@aecf.org.