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F.I.S.T . . . Where did it start and what will it do?

Inspired by the Word of God., F.I.S.T is the passion of founder Joseph Schmitt (Joe).  Concerned that inmates leave prison without a savings or income, without a home or access to stable housing, having no health or unemployment benefits, and little to no employment options; Joe became dedicated to establishing F.I.S.T as a bridge to these resource.  

  

Formed in 2009, F.I.S.T, Inc is an independent non-profit organization of formerly incarcerated men and women.  Our mission is to serve God by assisting and encouraging fellow ex-offenders to assimilate into mainstream society, through Christian Ministry, fellowship and guidance. By supporting the successful reentry of ex-offenders, F.I.S.T, hopes to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, decrease demand on law enforcement and the judicial system, lower the costs of incarceration, and augment rather than drain the existing tax-base.

 

F.I.S.T networks within its membership and other available resources to address the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of ex-offenders.  This networking include:  the Lake County Jail Program, Department’s Transition Coordinator, the United Way and its member agencies, local churches, fraternal, and social organization offering services to meet the needs of the newly released inmate and ex-offenders. 

Goals:

To provide or arrange services for ex-offenders:

  1. transportation for the newly released inmates, e.g., bus, train, etc., to their residence within fifty miles of Lake County Jail

  2. have available originated resources servicing ex-offenders. 

  3. ongoing support groups, utilizing our 12 steps for the ex-offender program.

  4. entrepreneurial exploration.

  5. Christian and peer fellowship and mentoring.

Implementation:

F.I.S.T networks with jails and prisons to be notified of newly released inmates needing emergency assistance.

F.I.S.T has created committees to reflect the collective conscious of the membership.  Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on Saturdays until further notice. 

How are we funded?

F.I.S.T is funded by contributions of its members, charitable donations from private individuals, secular organizations, corporate sponsors and organizational fund-raisers.