Testimonials From Incarcerated Individuals
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA
"I think Recharge is very helpful in learning a better way to improve the choices we make through each other. By hearing one another’s remorse, regrets and struggles help us to understand that what we do as men can affect everybody besides ourselves."
J.M.
"I believe it can be used as a positive tool towards the positive influence that could be instrumental in identifying our bad choices and remedies to change our bad behavior/lifestyles. Looking forward to next week."
W.H.
"I was able to see myself in something that each guy spoke of himself. I could relate, and it helped me to be able to open up about my personal issues."
A.M.
"The actions are a mistake that I must endure. I let myself down, my own self based on a false need, so really I needed this arrest ……"
E.L.
OHIO REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN
"It made me look at my life and realize there's more to live for."
"I thought the game was amazing. It was totally fun, interesting and different, in a good way."
"This game has made me look at myself and realize that I have to work on my life."
"The questions make you think about yourself, which we don’t usually do until this group."
"I think we should have a Recharge committee in our dorm and when new people move in they play Recharge for at least four weeks with at least three older members of our dorm. It will definitely help them to adjust better."
"The game was on point (awesome!) As long as people are honest when they answer the questions, the game will touch their soul! I played and I did not want to stop!"
CAMDEN COUNTY JAIL
"I liked playing the game because it opened up how everyone is feeling and benefitted me because I no longer hold things inside anymore. I express how I am feeling."
"I love the Recharge game because it gave me the tools I need so when I leave here I have all the tools I need to better myself and help others."
"This game has helped me open up. When I got here I barely said two words."
"The questions helped bring up feelings I haven’t felt in a long time."
"I don’t have to be alone in my head. I’ve realized that they went through some of the same stuff and I just never knew it. I am not alone."
"This game has helped me to open up and communicate more with my peers, with the ability to listen and give advice and relate."
Algoa Correctional Center
“I wish that I would have had the opportunity to have this program ten years ago. There is no telling where I would be at today...but I can tell you I would not be in here. This really changes your thinking. This program is great for inmates that are incarcerated because it gives them a chance to look inside of themselves. It also gives them a sense of brotherhood. Sometimes that’s what we need to open up and be better men” - R.R.
“I absolutely enjoyed and gained tremendous progress from the sessions. The Recharge program really digs deep into someone’s inner self and it builds confidence for someone who is isolated within themselves. It breaks down those walls that prevented them from growing or moving forward.” - A.W.
“I feel Recharge gives us as inmates the opportunity to get to know one another as a person. To be able to speak my mind to men that are possibly dealing with the same issues in life. It gave me the chance to speak on things about my life without having to be judged or talked about.”- J.G.
“Recharge for me was an eye opener. The program got me thinking of things that I have blocked out or haven’t had to think of in quite some time. It also made my communication skills with others better, as well as learning to trust in others again. Finally, the program made me take the initiative to get the ball rolling on several projects I needed to accomplish for successful reentry.” - T.L.
“Once you get started with this program, you want to keep going with it. If I am having a bad day, just knowing that I have a Recharge session today helps with keep moving in the right direction.” - C.M.
“It’s a very good program and it makes you dig deep on a wonderful level. It helps you get some stress off of you and helps clear your mind. It helped me out on a lot of levels and bring peace to my mind.” - J.D.
“Great program! It honestly helps me through what would have been a rough time. Amazing group discussions as well as a healthy outlet in every aspect.” - A.G.B.
Program Director Testimonials
"I recommend the Recharge Beyond the Bars Re-entry Game to anyone who seeks to help their formerly incarcerated loved ones – and themselves – to break free from self-imposed limitations and claim the lives they deserve. The game questions, challenges. It pushes people to reflect deeply, and to rethink what they always thought was true. It also takes them to tender places, and makes them laugh. In the end, the Recharge Beyond the Bars Re-entry Game helps to transform lives and relationships."
Sheila Rule
Executive Director and Founder of the Think Outside the Cell Foundation
"The Recharge Beyond The Bars Re-entry Game definitely helped the women with their task of reintegration back into the community. The game gives the women self-esteem, is therapeutic, and they have fun at the same time. The game also guides them through many different issues they are facing. The women enjoy the dialogue of Recharge Beyond The Bars Re-entry Game provides as well as the bonding they experience with one another."
Celinda Burns
Ordained Chaplain, Prison Minister, advocate with R.A.P.P., and a coordinator for prison visits with the Riverside Church Prison Ministry.
"I found the game to be stimulating and a great change on the usual game setting. I believe Recharge Beyond The Bars Re-entry Game can be an effective tool to educate the uninformed about re-entry problems and solutions, help professionals get a better handle on what re-entry is really about for the men and women coming home, and provide hours of educational fun for all. I enjoyed playing Beyond the Bars and got similar responses from all who played."
Jay Coleman
Client Advocate at the New York State Defenders Association, re-entry mentor, member of the R.O.O.T.S. organization.
"I played the recharge game with the graduates of a re-integration program, Riverside Coming Home, at one of our alumni nights. It was great to see the graduates sharing and thinking about things that they had not gotten to talk about during our 13-week program. The graduates were all very enthusiastic about the game and were eager to play the game at upcoming alumni nights. One lady even took notes because she wanted to journal on some of these subjects later. I think this game will be a staple of our alumni nights for years to come!"
Hope Eisdorfer
Program Director for both the Life-Skills Training and Empowerment Program (L-STEP) at Xavier Mission and its sister, The Riverside Coming Home Program at Riverside Church.
"The Recharge game should be considered by anyone facilitating workshops, especially with youth who have spent time being incarcerated. My experience has been that it is difficult to get young people to open up about their feelings and experiences, especially in front of other young people. The Recharge game makes it easy to share difficult feelings and experiences. I have already sent one of the games to the staff at Riker’s Island, they are excited about using it. I am happy to have made this professional relationship. The Recharge game has made our jobs easier and we are grateful for that."
Marc Washington
Project Coordinator, Friends of the Island Academy, NYC
"I recommend the Recharge Re-entry game to anyone who seeks to help their presently or formerly incarcerated loved ones – and themselves – to break free from self-imposed limitations and claim the lives they deserve. The game questions, challenges. It pushes people to reflect deeply and to rethink what they always thought was true. It also takes them to tender places and makes them laugh. In the end, the Recharge re-entry game helps to transform lives and relationships."
Sheila Rule
Think Outside the Cell Foundation
“Playing this game with my men groups has been nothing but fantastic. There have been times when we laughed so hard we were crying, and other times when men thanked and hugged each other after difficult stories were shared and tears were shed. This game has brought so much healing, encouragement, and unity to the men playing it. I am often thanked for bringing it into the pods and playing it with them because it brightens their day. Thank you, Leslie, for creating something so special."
Rachel Horner
Porter County Sheriff's Department: Jail Case Manager
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