Missy

Successful.

One of the really difficult things about being incarcerated in Texas is that when you are released, no matter how long you have served and no matter how much work you did while in prison, you receive a total of $100, plus an ongoing charge of $15 a month you must pay to parole until you have served your full sentence. If you are required to sign up for a special class, like Anger Management, or to receive counseling, you must pay those charges as well.

On top of that, former inmates are severely discriminated against with respect to living arrangements and employment opportunities. If you do not have a family or community to welcome you back, the chances of reincarceration are great.

You may ask how I know.  Well, you don’t minister in prison and grow to love the men in white* you have had the privilege of mentoring and then stop carrying for them once they are released.

To ease reentry, I set up a small 501(c)(3) corporation named Takes So Little that makes interest-free loans to help those released with their initial property deposits, first month’s rent or with other getting-started expenses. All receiving loans intend to repay but, at least so far, only a few do.

One of those who repaid his loan in full is Ed, a splendid, conscientious, hard-working man. He has been out a little over two years. Occasionally, when he is in a jam, he will call me asking if he can borrow some money until his next paycheck. He is diligent in repaying me.

Recently, Missy, his four-year old dog, had to have surgery on her leg. Ed loves Missy. The veterinarian quoted $4,200 for Missy’s operation but said he would perform the operation if Ed paid $500 in advance. I loaned Ed the money.

The operation, praise God, was successful. I received a text from Ed saying “Thank you so much. She probably wouldn’t of had the surgery if it wasn’t for you. So blessed to have a friend like you, sir.”

*In Texas prisons, all inmates wear white.