INDIANAPOLIS — New Life Development Ministries on Indy's west side helps men get back on their feet when they get released from prison.
It's a mission Reverend Eugene Potter started several decades ago in Baltimore, and for the last 14 years, he's been working back in his hometown of Indianapolis.
"A lot of times, it's very tough for a man that comes out of prison to get a start. So, our goal is to train and employ," Potter said.
New Life is a reentry organization located at 28th and Clifton streets. Their focus is on connecting men to resources and helping them set goals. When funding is available they also provide construction training.
"They have a skill set for life. That's important and we've got hundreds of people that we've helped, but we need to help thousands," Potter said.
The ministry has a construction training center on site that was set up right before the pandemic. It's now being put to use through partnerships with organizations like Kheprw Institute and Indianapolis Urban League.
After two recent cohorts of training with Kheprw, Potter says every person was offered a job.
"That's 100%. Now that's men that have had previous criminal histories with all kinds of problems, and every one of them that wanted one, could get a job, Potter said.
In order to help even more men, New Life is in need of additional partnerships and funding. Potter's long-term goal is to open a construction training school
"It's going to take a different level of money. It takes us about $250,000 a year to do 50 students," Potter said.
James Hardin came to New Life a year after getting released from prison back in 2012.
"I've always wanted to be a plumber," Hardin said. "New Life Development Ministry was a real great, powerful tool to lift me to get me going in that direction."
Hardin says the ministry helped him get his driver's license, set goals and most importantly develop a mindset to succeed. He now has his own plumbing business.
"This ministry is needed, because not looking down on none of my younger brothers out here, but they need somewhere to go," Hardin said. "This right here will be a better place to start than for them to be in somebody's prison."
-
Putin claims Russia attacked Ukraine with a new missile that the West can't stop
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Russia attacked Ukraine with a new missile that the West can't stop.
Man sentenced to 20 years in prison after shaking infant son to death in 2021
An Indianapolis father will spend over 20 years in prison after telling detectives “I lost my cool” when prosecutors say he caused the shaken-baby death of his 4-month-old son.
Medicare says scammers are targeting Americans amid open enrollment period
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, be weary. Officials say it could be a scam.
11 indicted in connection to meth trafficking operation in Indianapolis
Eleven people are being federally charged in connection to a meth trafficking operation in Indianapolis. This comes after a series of DEA led raids took place on Wednesday.
