At Next Chapter Ministries, our mission is to build lasting relationships with people impacted by the cycle of incarceration, restoring them to God, family, and community through holistic Gospel transformation.
2023 At A Glance:
NCM Volunteers served more than 1006 hours
17 children were served in Little Legacies programming
52 adults were served in the On-Site Men's and Women's Bible Studies
We spent 390 hours in the ADC this year doing Bible Studies and One-on-Ones
During that time, we had over 844 connection points with individuals who were currently detained
We celebrate what the numbers tell us about NCM impact in 2023, but the real celebration is found in the restoration happening with the people we are honored to serve. We don’t have enough space or time to share each of the amazing stories, but here is a sampling of God’s movement at NCM in this past year:
Dondi’s Story
”One more day to get it right.” We are sitting in Panera with our lattes, and Dondi is giving an update on life since graduation from Next Chapter. As he closes in on his three-year anniversary of release from federal prison he explains those words aren’t really a mantra, but they help him acknowledge that God has given him another day to truly live.
Dondi met Next Chapter after signing up for a program within the prison. This wasn’t the only program he engaged with; in his 17 years of incarceration, Dondi accumulated an incredible 95 certifications. The day came when he stood before the judge requesting early release. She looked at him and said she had never seen anything like it: no one had ever come before her with zero infractions on their prison record. Dondi earned his early release! He was ready to re-enter the community, ready to find a job, ready to begin life again.
Moving directly into the Next Chapter program, Dondi felt confident and hopeful about his re-entry into the community. He had put the work in! He had taken the steps, he had attended the classes, earned the certifications, and felt prepared to take on the process of re-entry. But it didn’t take long for reality to hit, to see the many reasons why Next Chapter exists. After doing everything “right”, despite his stellar prison record… doors were still not open. In fact, they were slammed shut. The hope he had initially felt receded, and “darkness and walls” began to close in.
Dondi recalls how important it was to have a “spiritual and cultural community” in those early days. He needed to learn and apply how to navigate trauma and grow in his ability to handle in positive ways the things that came up as barriers. “They made sure I had stability in the process as I learned why I responded the way I did. An awareness of flight or fright, and an awareness I can’t do this alone. The team was so important…saying you can do this… stability.” The Next Chapter value and ability to be flexible and person-centered was pivotal in his re-entry, and the power of the gospel is freely woven through all programming. Next Chapter wanted him to know that he was worthy of having the good and healthy things that God loves to give to us.
When he thinks back to the way things were in his past, he says, “It still doesn’t feel like reality.” Today, Dondi has the lived experience of trauma but doesn’t operate out of his unresolved trauma. He is the Founder and Director of Real Talk, an organization that works with other black men, where he can serve others out of his lived experience as a black man as well as a formerly incarcerated man. He is employed at a local non-profit, The Landing, leading others as a floor manager, using much of the education he accumulated in prison to serve the homeless in Rochester. He is currently on the Board of Three Rivers Restorative Justice. He is a certified facilitator of restorative circles. He sits on an advisory Board with PROWD (Partners for Re-Entry Opportunities in Workforce Development). He is a member of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). And, circling around to his family at Next Chapter, Dondi serves and mentors the children in our Little Legacies ministry on Monday nights, working with us to see an end to the cycle of incarceration in families in our community.
While having this conversation with Dondi, two different people from the community approached him, engaging him in conversation. It was the perfect picture of how he has done the hard work and the fruit of that effort is being seen every day as he serves and connects with God, his family, and his community. What is Dondi excited about for his future? He is excited about the health and goodness in his personal life, about getting to vote in upcoming elections, and excited to keep reminding his staff and others about our purpose in life, to follow Christ’s example. In Dondi’s words, “Speaking the language of those He was serving, that is what Christ did.”
Little Legacies
In 2023, our activities at Little Legacies grew and changed in an amazing way. From times at the park filled with laughter during the summer to our partnership with Bethel Lutheran Church, where their multi-purpose space became our cozy haven during the winter months, each moment has woven us closer together.
But, the most profound growth resonates within the children we serve. Their connections, mutual encouragement, and instinctive ability to teach and learn from one another fill our hearts.
One particular story shines brightly: two young men, one of which had a tough day at school, found encouragement from the other. The older of the two noticed the hard time his friend was having and said, "Dude, you can do this!" His guidance and inclusivity helped the younger boy to not only feel like he could participate, but also showed him the ability that he had to manage his own behaviors. It was incredible to watch as the two talked through how the other could listen more appropriately and even interact with others.
Our program focuses on caring deeply for each other. As we step into 2024, our vision is set on enhancing our mentor-to-student ratio. This endeavor holds the promise of fostering an even more resilient and impactful ministry.
Women’s Ministry
Our first Lighthouse resident Jamie has been with us for almost 6 months! After praying for women’s housing for so long, it has been a joy to watch her walk a new path of life.
One day we were talking about the path she takes when she walks to work. Sometimes she would run into old friends along the way. Knowing this wasn’t always a good thing, she said, “I’m going to take different route.” Going a new way means change, and that’s exactly what Jamie wanted. Change may be hard, but it’s worth it. This new path that she is on at Next Chapter is leading her into transformation.
Men’s Ministry
As we reflect on the past year, it's amazing to witness the transformative journey of individuals navigating the intricate stages of incarceration and re-entry. Amidst the challenges, Next Chapter Ministries has been a beacon of hope, striving daily to see sustaining change in the lives of those impacted by the cycle of incarceration.
Here's a glimpse into some highlights from the year, shared by the men of Next Chapter:
Having a warm welcome and a place to re-enter the community that feels like home
Growing in how to react in a more mature, Christ-like manner in life’s situations
Reconciliation and re-engagement with family members, some experiencing the joy of holding grand-babies or hearing the sweet title "Grandpa” said for the first time
Actively participating in worship, connecting with local churches, and establishing roots
Vehicle purchases opening up life, work, and family engagement opportunities
Patiently navigating the legal system to regain & solidify parenting time with their children
Successfully completing parole after being on supervision for most of their life
Developing as trusted, skilled leaders in the workplace and having a safe haven to come home to rest up afterword
And so much more!!!
While we rejoice, we also look ahead and still see men pressing through adversity to experience a new way of living in Rochester and beyond. We trust that God will remain faithful and continue to use this Christ-centered community to cultivate lasting relationships and facilitate holistic Gospel transformation.
Next Chapter Ministries holds an unwavering commitment to the power of Gospel transformation and to the people God brings to us. Each person we have been privileged to walk alongside in 2023 has their own individual journey of restoration and the stories of positive steps forward in the lives of our participants are too numerous to share. This is largely due to you and your support and partnership of our mission.
Special thanks to our former Executive Director, Courtney Dugstad, who accepted a position at another organization in September of 2023 after years of faithful service at NCM. Her heart and expertise have marked Next Chapter with success and prepared us for the good things in store for us in 2024.
In 2024:
We are excited to welcome the future Executive Director of NCM.
We expect the Men’s and Women’s residential programs to continue bearing fruit.
We will continue interaction with detainees at the ADC through Bible Study twice a week.
The Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s programming plan to expand mentoring opportunities.
Financial Literacy and Trauma Healing programming will be strengthened.
We hope to engage in meaningful ways with more partners in our community.
We will continue to support our current partners in the community, such as a local church that started services at the ADC with our assistance.
Please save the date for the Annual Restoration Celebration on May 10, 2024.
Special thanks to our donors, volunteers, churches and community partners!
Autumn Ridge Church, Bethel Lutheran Church, The BlackTop Bar and Grill, Calvary Evangelical Free Church, Christ Community Church, Christos Bookstore, Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Dwell Realty Group, Emmanuel Baptist Church, LifeBridge: A Church of the Nazarene, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Grace Community Church, H2 Real Estate Solutions, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Powers Ventures, Leadership Foundations, Mayo Clinic, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Network For Good, NUWAY Alliance, Inc., ONB, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Recovery is Happening, Redemptive Roofing, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rochester Assembly, Rochester Covenant Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, Jesus Driven, Trinity Evangelical Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and United Way of Olmsted County.
We are grateful that you do this work with us! Please contact us at Next Chapter Office with any questions you might have regarding the ministry, making donations or volunteering opportunities.
