March 1, 2010 – Stockton Record – USA
Steve Smith’s first reaction to seeing a stickup man come at him four years ago came with the thought: Why don’t I carry a gun?
But instead of going out and arming himself, Smith and a group of friends from his church decided instead to turn that unpleasant experience into good.
They launched InSync Interventions, a nonprofit organization that tries to provide coaching to parolees leaving prison so they can become productive citizens rather than returning to crime and prison.
“Really what we’re doing, we’re trying to change Stockton,” Smith said. “We asked ourselves: ‘How can we make it a better community and safer, a place where people want to come?’ ”
Still in its infancy, InSync’s timing is ideal, said Smith, noting the state’s massive plans for Stockton, which include opening a 500-bed re-entry facility for inmates leaving prison.
So far, Smith’s team of about 15 volunteers has completed a business plan, formed a nonprofit group, put up a Web site and printed glossy pamphlets explaining InSync’s mission.
While they’re associated with Quail Lakes Baptist Church, the organization is not faith-based because such groups are not eligible for state grants, Smith said.
InSync’s organizers aim to mentor parolees in their first year of freedom, linking them with a life coach, counseling services and, ideally, a job. For employers who hire one of their clients, there are huge tax incentives, Smith said. Read Story.
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