Why Men in Reentry?
First and foremost, this is what God has called us to do! We specifically work with men who return from incarceration because they have the most needs and challenges, and the least services in our community. Most men exit incarceration without a birth certificate, ID, and social security card; we assist them in getting these along with an EBT card, clothes, food, phone, employment, transportation, insurance, checking and savings accounts, and much more. Men who had a long incarceration do not have computer and phone skills and some life skills, so our Coaches, Program Staff, and volunteers teach these skills.
Transitional Housing Program
We have had a Transitional Housing (TH) Program for 13 years; the last five years have been specifically for men who are returning from incarceration or rehabilitation. Our transitional house is managed by our TH Director and TH Committee. TH Clients are given a Case Manager that works with them one-on-one to determine their needs and desires, develop long-term goals and then weekly tasks to achieve those goals. Our Clients are also given a Mentor to help support and guide them through their goals and our program. Clients are required to meet with their Case Manager & Mentor weekly, volunteer, attend Bible studies, meetings, and church, and meet with their parole officer as scheduled. Clients participate in Bible studies that address starting over and getting back on your feet, as well as Budgeting, Meal Planning, Goal Setting, and Securing Employment.
A Mentor’s Message
My heart has always been heavy for people that made destructive choices and not live the life God intended for them to live. This ministry gives me the opportunity to help men turn from where those destructive choices took them, and it puts me in a position to encourage them to focus on the goals they set, and to seek the Lord and His purpose for their lives. It blesses me when I see them following through, taking the required steps, and doing the things that will help them live a fulfilling, God honoring life. Join our team today!” Steve B.
Free From Addiction & Achieving Goals
One of our men was living in an abandoned crack house in the county and still using because of who he was living with and where he was living. We took him into our program and a year later, he is still in recovery. His long-term goals were to work full-time as a cook, get his own car, support his daughter who is in college, and pay off all his judicial fees and fines. He has accomplished all his goals but paying off all his fines. Congratulations!
A Role-Model for Reentry
“Philippians Place was there for me when I got out of prison; I had nowhere to go, and they blessed me and helped me in so many ways. I am very thankful to them for being there for me. If someone in prison really wants to make it when they get out, you can do it through Philippians Place.” He has been a blessing to us as well! We are thankful God brought us together; he is the most giving and hardworking man we know! Congratulations on all your accomplishments!
All Long-Term Goals Achieved
One of our men graduated from our program in March 2025 after participating in Coastal Carolina Community College’s CDL Licensure Program. He truly believed he couldn’t do it, but with a lot of encouragement and prayers from our staff and volunteers, he succeeded and graduated with his CDL License in hand! Now he drives for a local company. While in our program, he paid off his debt, built a savings account, and increased his credit score. He recently achieved his final long-term goal: he purchased a used Ford F-150! Congratulations RJ! You did it and we can’t be more proud and happy for you!!
Seeds Planted
We do not expect all our clients to graduate, which is one reason they don’t work the first month; it gives us time to pour into them. DS was one of these clients, but he learned how to meal plan, budget, grocery shop, cook, clean, study the Bible, and various job skills. He still works full-time making good money, so join us in praying that the Holy Spirit will see him through; we have planted the seeds, now it is up to him to apply it to his life.
Participation Survey Answers
“I mostly appreciate their dedication.”
“I find it easy to be myself at all times.”
“I feel/see Christian love, fellowship, and support from staff, as well as from church and Bible study.”
“The Case Manager is assisting me to progress forward through weekly goals and expectations.”
“I do not know where I would be if I got released and did not come straight here.”
“I have referred others to this program a few times.”
Reentry Program Accomplishments
In the past five months, our program and men have accomplished so much!
We’ve provided food, and hygiene, paper, and cleaning products prior to employment.
We’ve provided transportation to appointments (doctor’s, parole officer, dentist, eye doctor, Social Security Office), Bible Studies, Celebrate Recovery, Church, jobs, and much more!
6 have received clothes from Salvation Army
We purchased undergarments for all 6
5 received bicycles, helmets, locks, and reflective vests
4 have received an EBT card (food stamps)
4 received their state IDs
3 received their social security cards
1 SS card has been ordered; waiting to receive it
2 birth certificates have been ordered
3 have seen an eye doctor and 2 received necessary glasses
2 have seen a dentist and are receiving further treatments
4 worked with NCWorks to complete resumes
2 got non-owner’s car insurance and his driver’s license
3 currently work full-time jobs; 1 drives a company vehicle
3 started paying off debt
2 moved into a 2-bedroom apartment
1 rebuilt his relationship with his family and moved back home
Stats for 17 Graduated
or Exited Reentry Clients
How We're Different From Other Housing Programs
First and foremost, we are a Christ-centered program. Oxford Houses and a couple other houses in our county provide similar housing, but they do not provide a Case Manager, Mentor, or team of supportive men, nor any kind of program or classes that assist clients; in these other houses, they are on their own and more like tenants. We are unique in that we help clients meet all their needs, from identification, to EBT, insurance, transportation, income, life skills, bank accounts, etc.. Our TH Program provides housing, a structured program, case management, mentors, instructors, staff, and much more to walk alongside them, supporting and assisting them in all their needs and goals to become independent and contributing members of society.
What Are Our Goals?
Philippians Place plans to increase the number of Clients served and successfully graduated from our Transitional Housing Program. We plan to attain additional housing for our Men's Transitional Housing Program to better serve the large number of men coming home from incarceration or rehabilitation. Ideally, a dorm-style facility would benefit the number of men returning to Onslow County; with this type of facility, we can “catch them” upon exit and prevent homelessness altogether. We also plan to continue hiring men from our TH program to work at our store and/or be a driver to provide transportation for our Transitional Housing Program. In order to increase housing facilities, we need to increase funding as well as volunteers and/or staff. More TH clients means an increase in general expenses (mortgage/rent, utilities, upkeep, etc.). More TH clients also means more mentoring, group, and one-on-one sessions, therefore the need for more people to serve.
If you are interested in helping us serve the least of these, please contact Mike or Lenize at info@philippiansplace.org or 910-803-8510.
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/philippiansplacethrift/
Philippians Place Thrift Store
We first opened our Thrift Store in 2019 on Henderson Drive and then we moved to our current location in 2024. We created our Thrift Store to financially support our Transitional Housing Programs and operating expenses, as well as to provide household items for men when they graduate from our program, and opportunities for our transitional housing clients to volunteer or become employed. Our ultimate goal is for our Transitional Housing Clients to completely run our Thrift Store. This goal is already in the works; we have been hiring men from our house for the past two years now!
Thrift Store Sales:
2018: $21,510 (opened in May)
2019: $51,073
2020: $59,689 (closed two months/Covid)
2021: $83,456
2022: $138,491
2023: $113,624 (closed a month & new staff)
2024: $113,768 (closed a month & moved)
2025: $135,339
Please mail your donation to:
Philippians Place
1409 N Marine Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Every dollar you donate
is tax-deductible and supports our Men's Reentry Transitional Housing Program!
THRIFT STORE: 1409 N Marine Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Shop: Monday--Saturday: 10am-4pm
Donate: Monday--Saturday: 10am-3:30pm
​
REENTRY PROGRAM: EMAIL Mike at thdirector@philippiansplace.org or
info@philippiansplace.org for information
​​​​​