Posts by Chads
Hi, I’m Willow Brooke!
By Willow – Former Foster Child I am five years old. I want to tell you a story about how God answered my prayer. When I was two years old, I was still in foster care, waiting to be adopted. I asked my momma if I could have a baby brother. Momma told me, “Let’s…
Read MoreMatt’s Story
By Chaplain Mark Nissley I met Matt* during a weekend seminar held in the Buena Vista Correctional Facility. He was in a group of thirty prisoners who attended a weekend of teaching, prayer, worship, and fellowship. He seemed withdrawn, defensive, and fearful. Matt was a self-declared Satanist with the number 666 tattooed on his face.…
Read MoreLearning to be a Father While in Prison
By Jim Swartzentruber – InsideOut Dad Facilitator We have recently completed the 8th InsideOut Dad class in prison, where sixteen prisoners graduated after twelve weeks of class. We had a wide range of social and spiritual backgrounds, from committed believers to proclaimed atheists. From a monogamous marriage of twenty-two years to “I have six children…
Read MoreWalking a Better Path: Todd’s Story of Redemption
By Chaplain Ricky Miller I first met Todd in the Youthful Offenders System five years ago when I started as a chaplain there. He had already accepted Christ while he was in jail, but he was looking for someone to guide him as he deepened his walk with the Lord. Todd’s story is marked by…
Read MoreThe Power of Prison Ministry: Reaching Hearts Behind Bars
In today’s world, where society often focuses on reform and rehabilitation, one aspect that is sometimes overlooked is spiritual healing. Prison ministry stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, offering men and women in jail hope, redemption, and a chance at personal renewal. But why is prison ministry so important? Chaplain…
Read More“I Wasn’t Brave Enough to Call the Cops”
By Krista Burkholder Alyssa looked at the younger girl across the table. Her eyes were full of tears as she said, “Nyesha, you were really brave when you called the cops. I wasn’t brave enough to do that.” The other girls around the table were quiet and tuned in to Alyssa’s story. As tears slid…
Read MoreHe Gave Me Life: The Story of How David Found Faith in Jesus
By Caleb Mast Cellhouse Five is a series of steps and tiers, almost like a cathedral. As you enter the space, you hear both low-grade chatter and high-volume yells from one cell to the other in an effort to make connections and have relationships. Walking in, you can either go down to the lower level…
Read MoreInside Children’s Haven Daycare
By Savannah Knepp – Daycare Supervisor Children’s Haven daycare is tucked in a corner of New Horizon’s Oasis Park. Monday through Friday, the daycare workers are ready at 7:30 AM to welcome the children, make them breakfast, and get them geared up for another day of daycare. Something that makes our daycare unique is its…
Read MoreAmanda’s Journey
By Amanda Dyke – Former Ascend Volunteer Living in the dorms for the youth discipleship program was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Most of us were strangers before moving in, yet eleven of us girls quickly became a close-knit group. Learning to work together around different schedules and managing chores, like cleaning,…
Read MoreCreating a Refuge for Kids
In the state of Colorado, it is estimated that 5% or 60,000 children have had a parent in prison at some point. Having a parent in prison affects each of these children in a different way, but the impact this has on their lives is immense. Some of the most notable effects are shame and…
Read MoreA New Colorado Bill Impacts Convicted Moms
Childcare has been a service provided by New Horizons from our beginning. Childcare, and specifically foster care, is important because it meets a crucial need for children and their families caused by trauma and brokenness.
Read MoreCollection of Testimonies from InsideOut Dad
InsideOut Dad is a weekly class held in prison led by Jim Swartzentruber. Jim invites men to share childhood experiences that affect them today. In class they wrestle with the question of “How can I break the cycle, not only the cycle of incarceration, but the cycle of abuse, and lack of fathers in the…
Read MoreBlaming God No Longer: Linda’s Story of Faith
Donna Miller, an NHM chaplain at the county jail, met Linda in 2021. Through Donna’s guidance, Linda surrendered her life to Jesus and got baptized. Before her baptism, she gave this testimony of her journey of faith. Growing up we went to church where I saw, felt, and knew the power of God. Mom brought…
Read MoreChristmas Party for Children Affected by Prison
Outdoors was a winter wonderland as volunteers began to arrive in Pueblo to set up for the children’s Christmas party on December 9th. Soon the space was filled with tinsel, twinkle lights, and piles of gifts, and we waited to greet the families who would brave the snowy roads. Slowly, they arrived, many wearing tentative…
Read MoreCharles Broke the Cycle
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Read MoreYvette Released from Prison, Joins Re-Entry
Yvette made the decision to place her twins in our care while she was in prison, and they have been cared for by foster family Alvin and Wanda Zook while she was on her path towards release from prison. During her time in prison, Yvette had been steadfast in her commitment, attending weekly visits and…
Read MoreInsideOut Dad Class Graduation
We had the privilege of graduating eleven men in the fourth class of Inside Out Dads in Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. Though this curriculum is not labeled as “Christian” due to the nature of the content, we have ample opportunity to share Christ and Biblical values. A lot of what we talk about is what…
Read MoreCaring for Mallory — Child of an Incarcerated Mother
We are Austin and Cara Weaver, and we have the privilege of taking care of Mallory. Her mother is incarcerated, and she has chosen to be a part of our program here. Fostering is so important to us because Mallory was in a situation out of her control. Our goal for foster care is to…
Read MorePregnant in Prison: Avery’s Story
Avery* reluctantly entered the room where we met for childbirth classes and sat at the other end of the table from where we were seated. She attended the class a few times but rarely participated. She told us early on that she was pregnant with monoamniotic twins (making it a high-risk pregnancy). Dorcas and I…
Read MoreChris Freed at Prison Seminar
Several weeks ago, I met a man named Chris in the county jail at a Bondage to Freedom seminar. Early in the seminar there was an opportunity given for anyone who wanted to receive Christ and Chris put his hand in the air. When several of us met with him, it was clear he did…
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