The clothing room at Stark Regional Community Correction Center opened its doors on September 1, 2023. This is a 360 square foot department store for inmates during their stay. Just prior to release, men can pick out their “going home” attire. We opened with over 1350 items in inventory. The only purchased items were socks, underwear, belts, and a few hygiene items. Over 1225 items were donated by people who care. True Freedom opened its first clothing room almost..

Volunteer Tom Spernoga recently finished teaching another session of the 40-week Character Development course at Grafton Reintegration Center. This program continues to have a huge impact on the lives of our clients. Here’s what some are saying:

“The facilitator, Tom, has a welcoming and calm demeanor, which allows men to feel comfortable talking about issues and learning how…

Fantasy Football at Grafton Correctional Institution is always an exciting time. Residents come together to spread the love of Christ by tangibly supporting the homeless. To participate in this league, men must purchase a food or hygiene item for donation. This year, collected goods totaled more than five hundred dollars in value! This is especially needful for our Northeast Ohio neighbors since Cleveland is currently the poorest large city in the U.S. True Freedom’s Homeless Ministry distributed Grafton’s contributions at the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter. We praise God for…

I met a 15-year-old boy, who was a car thief and who was shot 5 times. Only by the grace of God did he survive. At the Juvenile Justice Center, he returned to school, to the 9th grade.

He was very open and willing to talk with me about the Lord. He said that his family members were not church going people. He was open and interested in a conversation about God, Jesus Christ, and salvation. I was…

True Freedom Ministries recently received the 2023 David and Martha Hessler Illuminating Hope Award, along with $10,000, from the Community West Foundation. This generous honor is given annually to the organization that brings the most hope to Northeast Ohio. We are so grateful for our…

True Freedom Ministries serves a number of correctional facilities on a regular basis and others periodically throughout Ohio. The accompanying graphic provides an overview for 2023. The institutions we visit regularly are green, and those we visited at least one time are blue. Thanks to those of you who have partnered with us. Please pray as we share the hope that is in Jesus Christ. We praise God for opening so many doors!…

True Freedom’s Character Development and Stepping Up courses continue to attract significant numbers of men at Grafton Reintegration Center. Tom Spernoga and Bill Holko facilitate Character Development, with Bill also leading Stepping Up. The comments below were offered by some of the men who have been recent attendees.

“Character Development is a great class! Each week…

The weather was perfect. The players were ready for True Freedom’s third annual Yard Day. Once Executive Director Mike Swiger opened in prayer and shared the gospel, the games began! Five teams competed in this highly anticipated softball tournament at Grafton Correctional Institution. Along with two prison teams, we hosted three outside teams…

God continues to use True Freedom Ministries to change lives.  Without your partnership and financial support, this would not be possible. Would you prayerfully consider making a one-time or monthly donation to support True Freedom’s prison ministry?

https://www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

Recently, Executive Director Michael Swiger and True Freedom Ministries received two awards from the Lorain County Chapter of the NAACP.  Michael received the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his leadership.  This is the NAACP’s highest award given to an individual.  In addition, True Freedom Ministries was identified as the organization with the greatest impact in changing the culture at the Grafton Reintegration Center and Grafton Correctional Institution.  In recognition of this fact, TFM received the NAACP’s 2023 Humanitarian Award…

True Freedom Ministries partnered with The Ropheka Connection in January 2023 to take the “Foundation for Achievement” program into the Department of Youth Services at Circleville Juvenile Correction. Originally from the LaRed Foundation in Berlin, Ohio, this helpful series teaches four values, each of which breaks down into principles, taught by our trained facilitators on a weekly basis. Here’s what students are saying: “This program helped me think…

On March 7th, our new Director of Staff and Ministry, Jessica McCamon, introduced TFM’s eight-week Workforce Readiness Program to the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility. Jennifer Boswell, Joseph Marsilio, Mark Dobrinski, Chaplain Sands, and Mike Swiger were also instrumental in this process. Facilitators for this class teach a combination of hard and soft skills to prepare students for the workplace and life. Through a variety of creative teaching strategies students learn respect, motivation, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork…

True Freedom sponsored a unique event at Grafton Correctional in conjunction with the inmate-led group called Going Home to Stay. The morning started off with a worship service. Michael Swiger shared an encouraging message of hope accompanied by the musical group Renovare. Participants enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken, hamburgers, potato salad, and cake. In the afternoon, festivities included games, music, cornhole competition, and a hole-in-one contest, complete with prizes…

My wife June and I moved to the Cleveland area in the summer of 2018 for new employment. We had prayed that this was the right decision as we left our church, friends, and family behind.  Well, not only did God answer our prayers with a new church, but by His Providence within a couple of weeks we heard Mike Swiger’s testimony.  I was searching for a new ministry--a new race to run. God answered the desires of my heart by putting David Wessel and True Freedom into my life. I now have the privilege to co-facilitate a..

At the Juvenile Justice Center this month, we started Sunday afternoon worship services. At 2:00 pm, I go to the assigned House for the day and spend time with the three Pods separately. I pass out sheet music to the youth and teach them the songs. I teach the standard hymns of the faith like Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, and Farther Along! Before you know it, we have a choir singing together and sounding good. They are amazed that…

Every year Homeless Ministry Director Dave Sudnick and volunteers distribute winter hats and gloves to the residents of the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries Men’s Shelter. The shelter is located at 2100 Lakeside Avenue and is temporary home to around 250 men each day. The facility provides beds, meals, and a lot more. Those staying at the shelter need personal hygiene items, socks, underwear, clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, and coats. Those moving out need pots and pans, dishes…