Hello, and welcome to our site!

 

I'm Eddream, the Founder and Executive Director of Lay Peoples Ministries of Hope for Jesus Christ also called, J.O.Y. Behind Bars. 

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I spent over 30 years working as a School Counselor & Educator. In my service I realized many children were not doing well academically due to emotional issues related to problems at home. One of those problems was dealing with the emotional loss of a missing parent(s) due to incarceration.

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Many years after I started J.O.Y. Behind Bars, my only son was struggling with opioid addiction. As a result of his battles with addiction and poor choices he was sentenced and incarcerated. I often felt like giving up because seeing him locked up was very difficult; but deep down inside I could not take my hand off the plow of ministry because I understood firsthand how much people behind bars need visitation, prayer, and a pathway to re-entry.

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Instead of giving up, I decided to bruise Satan's head and work harder. I made it my mission in retirement to bring awareness to issues that directly and negatively impact our communities - drug addiction, and targeted intervention for the children of incarcerated parents. I vowed to provide social, spiritual, and academic services for people I believe, need it most...those who are incarcerated and the families that are left behind.

 

Similar to war, the aftermath of imprisonment is the colossal damage done to the family unit.

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But God is faithful and I will continue to be faithful to him, as he has been to me! I appreciate your support over the last 20 years and solicit your continued prayers. 

 

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