This nation is confronted today by issues that cross cultural, social, and economic boundaries. Among these are estimated 650,000 prisoners returning to their home communities every year. Prison does not prepare them for life outside of confinement; and lacking the skills to seek or obtain gainful employment, some exacerbate the growing economic crisis by finding new victims, committing new crimes, and returning to prison. The Bridge of Success Career Center & Ministries exists to confront this problem by equipping these individuals to traverse the barriers to a successful reentry within society.

The disparity former offenders face when seeking a job evoked the vision for the Bridge of Success. The glaring paradox that demands rectification is a continued resigned dependence upon prison as the primary defense against, mandatory prison sentences, tough on crime policies, and the lack of
opportunities available when prisoners come home. In some instances, there are legal barriers that have blanket restrictions which exclude those with a conviction from obtaining a job in a specific industry. Without organizations like the Bridge of Success, many of the ex-offenders who are literally shut out of job opportunities by these restrictions often recidivate.

We have recently emerged as one of the newest providers of services in the reentry process. With 26 adult Department of Correction facilities in Illinois housing over 40,000 inmates and approximately 33,000 in the process of reentering Illinois communities, we are a much needed organization. In an effort to develop a comprehensive plan to contend with the complex issues of prisoner reentry, the Bridge of Success will strive to work in concert with other reentry providers, government, and social service agencies, to collectively develop and provide the highest quality of services t o program participants.

Donnell, himself an ex-offender, can empathetically relate to the plight that parolees face. Once fallen from grace, the forgiveness and mercies of God subsequently prevailed to establish through him the Bridge of Success. As a Recipient of the Colson Scholarship, Donnell earned a double-Baccalaureate in Education and Theological & Biblical Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Ministries. Donnell is currently completing training for certification as a Global Career Development Facilitator, and is employed as Assistant Director for a University Career Development Center.

An African proverb says,  "It takes a village to raise a child." How much more, then, for every concerned member of society to work in concert with service providers like the Bridge of Success, in order to confront these issues and work toward improving public safety.

In His Service,

Donnell Turner