11 Survival Suggestions for Ex-offenders
(7/7/2004)
11 Survival Suggestions to help make your transition easier...
1. PRAY: Ask God what to do next.
2. RETRIEVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION ASAP:
If you have lost your identification you will need to complete the Public Health Vital Records Application for Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate. You may have to retrieve a copy of an application by writing the Public Vital Records agency in your area. It is better if you fill out an application before you are released from jail or prison. There is a cost for the certified copy. You can utilize the Post Office General Delivery address as the forwarding address for your certified copy. You can also fill out an application with Shekinah Christian Ministries to have the birth certificate forwarded to our office for safe storage until you are released. However, we will accept applications for birth certificate storage on a case by case basis.
Shekinah Christian Ministries provides small monetary financial assistance for birth certificate retrieval to clients on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to fill out a Shekinah Christian Ministries financial assistance application. We will make a monetary contribution for a birth certificate directly to the agency (public records division) of the county from which you are applying to. You will not receive monetary funds directly sent to you! Send us the completed application and we will forward the application and the monetary funds to the agency listed on the application.
If you were born outside of Colorado you may have to retrieve a copy of an application through mail. However, many state counties offer an online application that you can retrieve over the Internet, and print out on the computer you are utilizing.
You can also gain access to the Internet at the library nearest you. You can search under the name of the county you were born and add ‘public records’ as a part of the search. You can ask a library attendant to assist you with the search. Most libraries offer the first 5 pages printed for free.
3. FILL OUT IMMEDIATELY A GENERAL DELIVERY APPLICATION AT THE POST OFFICE LOCATION NEAREST YOU
This will enable you to receive mail at the post office where you have filled out the application. The post office will hold your mail for you including food stamps, employment leads, and any other monetary assistance checks that you are eligible for. You can write the Post Office in the area, which you are going to reside and request an application form to be sent to you if you are incarcerated.
4. APPLY FOR FOOD STAMPS/GENERAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY:
Food stamp are cash benefits to individuals and families who meet the eligibility requirements for food assistance. It is better if you fill out an application the before you are released from jail or prison.
Food stamps are intended to supplement your monthly food budget. Using a Colorado Quest Card issued by Social Services can access food stamp benefits. The Colorado Quest Card can be used at any major grocery store (also called a point-of-sale location.)
To determine eligibility, you must complete an application, and make an appointment at a Social Service Office closest to where you will reside. You can utilize the Post Office General Delivery address for the forwarding address for your Qwest card. Shekinah Christian Ministries has applications for Food Stamps for Boulder County (only), available at the Shekinah office.
5. SHOWER AT THE LOCAL YMCA or SHELTER:
Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the YMCA’s and Shelter phone/address information in your city. You may be able to receive tokens for a shower from Shekinah Christian Ministries if you are residing in Longmont or Boulder. However, you will be required to fill out an application prior to receiving the tokens.
6. RETRIEVE CLEAN FREE CLOTHES & FOOD AT LOCAL FOOD/CLOTHING BANKS:
Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the Food/Clothing phones/addresses to the local food and clothing banks in your city.
7. GO TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB:
Use the Internet to access job websites: Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the phone/addresses of the libraries in your city.
8. APPLY AT YOUR COUNTY WORKFORCE: (Employment and Training Services)
Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the WorkForce phone/address in your city.
9. ASK SHEKINAH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES FOR A ONE FINANCIAL DONATION:
Shekinah Christian Ministries is a referral program for Christian ex-offenders, and because of budgetary restraints is not an agency that regularly provides monetary assistance to the homeless.
Shekinah Christian Ministries provides small monetary financial assistance/vouchers, and survival packs to clients on a case-by-case basis. However, you are welcomed to fill out a Shekinah Christian Ministries financial assistance application. You will be required to show an identification card. Shekinah Christian Ministries may contact other non-profit agencies/churches in your area, and inquire whether you have previously received assistance from them.
10. ASK OTHER NON-PROFIT AGENCIES/ CHURCHES FOR A ONE TIME DONATION:
Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the non-profit agencies or churches in your area to retrieve phone/addresses information in your city.
11. HOUSING OPTIONS
You should call local Shelters in your area for information on Emergency/Transitional Housing options. You can write them while you are incarcerated to find out the seasonal/hours of operation. Some Shelters are free and others require a fee to stay.
Refer to the Shekinah Christian Ministries Resource List for the phones/addresses to the local shelters/ emergency transitional housing in your city.
You can also fill out an application for the Ex-Offender Mentor Release Program through Shekinah Christian Ministries. This opportunity is for Christians (only) who are interested in obtaining a mentor to assist them when transitioning to community life. Occasionally a mentor will provide housing but this opportunity is also available only on a case-by-case basis.
