Samaritan Women
Community AfterCARE Resources

"Assisting Ex-Inmates To A Better Life"

Up Close

Restoring the Family- Breaking the Cycle

Inmates who have given their lives to Christ in jail or prison face many challenges once released. Their faith is tested as they labor to overcome their addictions, cut ties to the temptations of their former lifestyles, and strive to build new lives and strengthen their relationships with Christ.

For many this proves to be a time of learning and a time when their independence and self-confidence are strengthened. Many ex-inmates need financial advising, job placement, a safe living environment, transportation and parenting support. Here at Samaritan Women we come alongside women and their children to assist in meeting these needs.

Why call ourselves "Samaritan Women?"

For most, the name conjures up images of the Good Samaritan. As told in Luke, robbers injured a man and left him to die by the side of the road. A Priest and then a Rabbi passed him, crossing to the other side of the road in order to avoid him. The man we have come to know as the "Good Samaritan" saw the man, felt compassion for him, got involved in caring for the man's needs, and got someone else involved in his care. We, too, need to see the need before we can feel compassion and take action to assist another person. God gives us choices at each step of the process. Will we get involved? We have seen the need to help women after their release from jail/prison. We can answer, "We will care." We will come along side and help our sisters. We are asking others to come see the vision and share in the blessing of seeing God changing lives for His honor and glory.

Another Biblical reference is the story in John 4 of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. Although she was shunned by society as a sinner, Jesus loved her anyway. The Samaritan woman's life was never the same after that encounter with Jesus at the well. She told others about Jesus and they also met him and believed.

Women coming out of the jails/prisons are also despised and looked down on. They are often shunned. Many have done bad things. People are afraid to get too close to the ex-inmates because they don't know them or understand them. But everyone who meets the women finds them to be a blessing and are touched by the excitement and joy they have for their new lives in Jesus. They are challenged to be real as they testify to what God is doing in their lives; and like the Samaritan woman at the well, they are bringing many more to a saving faith in Jesus.