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Freedom Inside A Wisconsin Prison
After going through several security checks, WINGS instructor Mike Rintelman is let into his classroom. Accompanied by guards, a line of fifteen men take their seats. These inmates of a Wisconsin prison have come for their WINGS life skills training session.
Last year Mike and The Milwaukee Outreach Center , an OBI center, recognized the need for WINGS in area prisons. Research indicates the normal person has the freedom to make an average of 260 choices per day, while those living in prison have just 21 choices per day. "Just because they are in prison doesn't mean they can't take steps in becoming a good parent, husband or friend," comments Mike. "We want to encourage them to make the most of their choices as well as to think beyond the barbwire."
Making the WINGS curriculum fit for a incarcerated lifestyle was no easy task.
Instead of the normal 40-hour 1-week intensive course, weekly 1-hour classes were
implemented over a 9-month time frame. They launched the first WINGS class last
October. The first few minutes are spent in review and then it's on to the new
lesson.
Learning new things was what 24-year-old Curtis thrived on. This tall, striking young man with jet black hair had his high school education behind him, but had fallen into some trouble, landing him in prison for a short time. "He was very upbeat and really wanted to learn," Mike reflected.
Upon his release, Curtis walked into The Milwaukee Outreach Center's WINGS class
the very next morning! With no place to live or money for food, he found a church
willing to let him sleep on the pews and relied on lunches served during the WINGS
class. After receiving his graduation certificate from WINGS, Curtis applied and
was hired at a local Christian bookstore. Over the last year, the bookstore owner
has taken him under his wing and helped him find a place to live. From time to
time Curtis drops in at The Milwaukee Outreach Center and most recently told Mike
that he represented the bookstore at a men's conference.
Thank you OBI partners for helping men and women like Curtis begin their lives again in and after prison!
Donate here...
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