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There are currently over 30,000 inmates in Tennessee prisons. In 2018, 1 out of every 9 children in Tennessee had a parent incarcerated. Nearly 50 percent of inmates in Tennessee will return to prison in 3 years. Men of Valor saves Tennesseans over 1 million dollars for every 7 men who stay out of prison for 5 years. We are part of the solution. Thank you for your donation to Men of Valor!

Raul and Larry introduce you to the Men of Valor ‘God is MOVing’ fundraising campaign that is replacing our annual fundraising breakfast this year due to continued COVID-19 restrictions. We will be sharing weekly videos and testimonials so you can get to know our ministry, staff, and participants during #secondchancemonth. Join us in seeing men and their families find true freedom that only exists in a relationship with Jesus!

What are the costs of incarceration? The economic costs? The societal costs? How do you measure these costs? How does Men of Valor make a difference?

In early March we broke ground on Dogan-Gaither Flats as we expand our reach to serve men coming out of prison in Knoxville, TN. Thanks to 4th Purpose Foundation and many partners, Dogan-Gaither Flats and Men of Valor will provide support to former offenders in Knoxville as they reenter society!

In a path of extreme addiction leading to an overdose while in prison, Clinton Romines knew God had a different plan for him. While in prison isolation, he reached out to his brother who had been in Men of Valor’s faith-based program. Men of Valor staff members, Brian and Marcus, were Clinton’s first visitors in 10 years. Now released and living at Valor Ridge, Clinton continues to grow in his faith towards Christ.

Spearheading Men of Valor’s Spanish Ministry, Tommy shares his mission to provide a change of life for the Hispanic community. Visiting prisons across Tennessee, he realized there is no faith-based outreach solely for Spanish speakers. During the pandemic Men of Valor spent time translating all program materials into Spanish in order to take the gospel to these men in their own language.

Being raised in a single parent home, Joshua was left to roam freely while his mother worked long shifts. At the young age of 13, he began his journey in and out of Juvenile hall. When Joshua was 16, he joined a hate group while struggling with a meth addiction. He eventually went to prison at 19 years old. Seeing Joshua’s path of destruction, his fiance would not let him around his daughters. A Men of Valor participant (Elgin Horton), who was at the same prison, introduced Joshua to Men of Valor Ministry and God’s love. With the help of Men of Valor he realized that God’s grace and mercy was for everyone. Joshua shares that the quality of men and staff at Men of Valor was who he wanted to be surrounded by- Men of God!

Growing up with out a father, Elgin sought out men his age in his community for guidance. Surrounded by drugs and alcohol, Elgin endured multiple incarcerations. Joining Men of Valor brought authenticity to his life through faith. Elgin enjoys speaking about the Lord as he describes that’s what brings him joy!

Recently completing phase 3 which includes townhomes for Men of Valor participants on Valor Ridge, Development Director David Miller shares the program’s next steps of Carl Carlson’s vision of building a ministry center that will house all classrooms, worship spaces, and staff offices. Men of Valor shares their gratitude for everyone that has made Valor Ridge what it is today

Chad walks alongside Men of Valor participants as a counselor at Valor Ridge. In group counseling sessions, he helps men learn and apply biblical truth in their lives. Chad also shows them on a personal level, in one-on-one counseling, how they can slow down and deal with their inner troubles. God has not forgotten them on their journey towards redemption!

Working to improve criminal justice reform, Carrie spends her time advocating for those not only inside of prison but outside in local communities, as well. Carrie and her husband work with Tennessee Prison for Women inmates to help piece together what each individual needs for a successful reentry. Without support such as transportation, employment, and housing, most inmates released from prison won’t succeed with the $75 given to create a new life. Recognizing and addressing these needs will help reduce recidivism rates.

Gifted with a large physical appearance, Vernon was led into accepting a scholarship to play college football. He was exposed to and began selling drugs which eventually led to several police cars pulling him over. God had finally arrested him! Introduced to Men of Valor in prison, Vernon spent 5 months learning about the Lord while serving his sentence. Now at Valor Ridge, God is helping him get back the life he had lost.

The #1 indicator that a child will end up incarcerated is if their parent is currently incarcerated. The 30,000 Tennessee prison inmates and the 19,000 inmates in local jails, is a staggering predictor of the generational cycle of crime in Tennessee. For Men of Valor’s family ministry staff member Janna, her job is to help break that cycle. While Men of Valor knows they cannot replace a parental figure, they work to ensure that void is addressed by providing care packages and hosting family fun days. Connecting families through a fall fishing day and back to school drives, Men of Valor hopes to show the families of their participants that there is more to life than a future of incarceration.

Men of Valor graduate and House Manager, Darrell Anderson introduces the newest members of the Valor Ridge community. Gabriel and Michael (the Archangels) will help participants heal and provide them with responsibility during their time at Valor Ridge. Darrell has trained dogs while incarcerated and has seen firsthand the impact therapy dogs have on broken and hurting men. Welcome home Gabriel and Michael!

With the pandemic restricting visitors, it has been an especially challenging to reach men behind prison walls. An alternative method of contact, using prison broadcast systems, led to the creation of Valor Life, a faith-based program of inspirational testimonies and worship materials all hosted by Men of Valor’s Rudy Kalis. Currently in Tennessee prisons and Davidson county jails. Now Valor Life is hosted in all of CoreCivic facilities nationwide, potentially reaching over 70,000 inmates. Men of Valor truly has enjoyed thinking outside the box during the pandemic.

Don Bruce is the founder and CEO of American Home Design. American Home Design has partnered with Men of Valor for many years. Don is a mentor in our program and has seen first-hand the difference we make at Men of Valor. Men in prison have commonly been traumatized by adverse childhood experience and their attempt to cover up the pain with drugs, violence, alcohol is what lands them in prison. These men have little-to-no resources and often are back in jail later in life. Men of Valor breaks that cycle of recidivism. We give men an opportunity to change their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We introduce you to Mike Baas, Vice President of VanMeter Insurance. VanMeter has been a corporate partner for a little over three years! Mike says he “left a changed man’ after his first day behind prison walls ministering to men with Curt Campbell. After that experience, he knew their organization needed to be involved. If you are interested and would like to learn more about how God is MOVing at Men of Valor we encourage you to visit our website at men-of-valor.org.

Rudy and Tevin share examples of how God is MOVing at Men of Valor- through their hearts and the hearts of our participants. If you have any interest in being a part of what Men of Valor is doing for men in prison and how God is MOVing, please reach out to us. If you are able to give financially, April is our month of giving. We’re raising money all month long in replacement of our annual fundraising breakfast. None of this work would be possible without your support and the support of our incredible volunteer team. DONATE: https://movnashville.salsalabs.org/2021godismoving **Take a few minutes to check out our God is MOVing playlist on YouTube. Have questions or want to volunteer? Email Tevin@movnashville.com

Don Ware of Clemons Concrete Coatings shares why he supports Men of Valor! Don’s company has sponsored our annual Prayer and Fundraising Breakfast for the last 3 years. Don was moved after attending our breakfast in 2018 and hearing the testimonies of men who had successfully transitioned back into society through Men of Valor. He also saw how impacted the mentors were through spending time with men in prison and discipling them to Jesus. Don is convicted that God is alive and moving in the lives of men at Men of Valor! Last year, Don was fortunate enough to hire a graduate of our programming to work at CCC. He has been a great success at the company and recently received a promotion for more responsibility. God is Good! Our Breakfast Is Cancelled. Join us in April for our month of giving! DONATE TO MEN OF VALOR: https://movnashville.salsalabs.org/2021godismoving/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=de70ddbf-764a-4caa-8263-0255c67ba0a3

We are continuing with our God is MOVing campaign during the month of April. This fundraising campaign is our major fundraising event of 2021 and takes place of our annual breakfast this year. Meet Steve Merryman of Merryman-Farr heating and cooling. Merryman-Farr has been a corporate sponsor for nearly 15 years and employed several Men of Valor program graduates! We can’t do what we do without YOU! With YOUR help God is MOVing! Every year at our annual breakfast we have the chance to tell our story. We encourage you to subscribe to our channel to follow along or donate here: https://movnashville.salsalabs.org/2021godismoving/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=87e16a56-9047-489c-b6c9-af468486ac09

Jeff Dobyns with Southwestern Investment Group shares that together we are making a difference in the lives of men leaving prison. Jeff has been coming to Valor Ridge weekly for the last 15 years as a fan and encourager to the men in our program. “Men of Valor is the one charity in Nashville I’m most proud of because they have their hands dirty, their sleeves rolled up and they are in the trenches with these men, ” says Jeff.

We love seeing you at the Annual Breakfast every year. It is a critical part of Men of Valor. Sadly we couldn’t have the breakfast this year – but we’re having a monthly long God is MOVing campaign to raise money for our ministry.

DONATE TODAY: https://movnashville.salsalabs.org/2021godismoving/

Eddie Hutton of Interstate AC Service got involved with Men of Valor after he felt MOVed to go behind bars to mentor men. He has been involved with Men of Valor ever since! Eddie proudly employ’s several of our graduates at Interstate AC Service. He says if you get involved with Men of Valor you will know God better than ever! We’re wrapping up an incredible month of God is MOVing that replaced our annual breakfast for this year. The breakfast is crucial to the ongoing work of God at this ministry and we need your financial help! DONATE TODAY! God is MOVing because of your help and partnership! Glory be to God.