Michelle Manthey | New Mornings
Dec 1, 2024 | by Michelle Manthey
Michelle Manthey | New Mornings Reentry Services
Mission
The mission of New Mornings is to break the cycle of incarceration in our community through the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Contact Information:
New Mornings Reentry Services | 645 E Lincoln Highway | Mail: P.O. Box 29, Coatesville, PA 19320 | Phone: 610.384.5393 | email Michelle Manthey at
Meeting Needs:
We provide information, practical services, and mentoring to incarcerated and previously incarcerated people, offering hope and help where possible. We also connect members of the Body of Christ with our clients to better meet individual needs and to edify our community as a whole.
How?
In Prison Ministries: We have the privilege of coming alongside them during this time, providing hope and sharing the unconditional love of God. Since the Pandemic hit in March 2020, Chester County Prison (CCP) remains closed to all outside groups. However, we to continue to minister through correspondence, cards and more! In addition, when allowed, we send in Bible studies for the women to complete in their cells. While not the same as face to face, all of this helps us feel connected and let the women of CCP know they are not forgotten. We eagerly await and pray for Chester County Prison's reopening so we may resume the following services in person...
Women’s Discovery Group, led weekly by a team of New Mornings volunteers and staff inside CCP's work release center. During this time, we focus on God’s Word in a small group environment and foster caring relationships with those who attend through One-on-One Mentorship and then continue those relationships when they return home. We also offer Fresh Start, an 8-week life skills course. Through practical guidance, prayer, and foundational faith-based principles demonstrated in Scripture, this course teaches those who are incarcerated to think differently. It also prepares them to make positive choices when they return to their families and communities.
Reentry / Community Ministries: Through the generosity of individuals in our community and local churches, we offer Men’s & Women’s Grace Bags to our clients when they are released from prison or come to our office for assistance. These reusable bags include toiletry items, a devotional and a few clothing or luxury items to demonstrate God’s grace and provision while starting fresh. At Christmas, we partner with local church congregations and the Chaplain’s office to provide gifts to the children of women at the Chester County Prison through our version of Angel Tree. We encourage personal interaction between sponsors and our Angel Tree families, and make sure that each family receives a Bible for their child(ren), in addition to gifts. This year, we want to take it even a step further, raising money to bless those caring for the children with gift cards.
Prison Volunteer Training: Did you know that 68% of ex-offenders return to prison within just 3-4 years? The barriers they face are overwhelming. Having a mentor to serve as a friend, accountability partner, guide and cheerleader is key to a successful reentry. Recognizing this, we’ve partnered with ReTURNing Hearts under the Chaplain’s office to develop and offer Prison & Reentry Mentor Training to ALL religious volunteers at Chester County Prison as a first step toward addressing this need. Our trainings are currently on pause along with the prison, but once it's ready to reopen to volunteers, our trainings will resume again in earnest. We are also actively researching and preparing for additional trainings to better equip our volunteers on needed areas, such as, the effects of trauma, maintaining healthy boundaries, and addiction.
ONE STORY: A Testimony of Grace Behind Bars…
"God has given me the time I needed to get to know myself in prison. He's given me the strength to set boundaries and stick to them. He's given me time to sit and think about my life and how to turn it around for the positive. New Mornings helped me relate the Bible to my life and has given me reassurance that God is with me and is guiding my life. God has a plan and has not given up on me." – Laren
Pray for…
o Chester County Prison to reopen soon and for us to be ready when it does.
o Angel Tree this Christmas; for enough donations to cover the cost of the gift cards (and possibly next year’s Bibles) and for boldness for our family sponsors.
o Good health and energy during this busy time of year—and that I would put Him first.
2-3 ways Providence can get involved:
o Angel Tree: by becoming a sponsor or donating toward gift cards for the children’s caregivers. If you are interested in participating or learning more, click HERE for Angel Tree 2024.
o Grace Bags: create your own Grace Bag for a man or woman in need. If you are interested, click Grace Bags List to see what goes in each bag and review the instructions.
o Join Us: partner with us through your time, prayer and/or financial donations.
- If interested in getting involved, contact Michelle Manthey at .
- To pray informed, subscribe to our newsletter list: https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=4d608130ac1be4b9dc8fa295a&id=a127987d9b
- Click here to DONATE securely through our website--just make sure to designate your gift when given the option. Or, make your check payable to LTM and send it to: LTM, PO Box 29, Coatesville, PA 19320. Write "New Mornings" or a missionary's account number on the memo line.
