"It's Not What We Did, It's What We're Doing Now!" This motto means that we absolutely refuse to be judged solely on our past misdeeds. We may not be able to change that, but we can abandon our old ways and begin living a life of having a positive influence on others. This website is dedicated to that goal and is evidence of our taking that path.

First Rule to Freedom:

HELP SELF BY HELPING SOCIETY

The foundation on which the Prodigal Sons and Daughters is based is the Philosophy of self help. If the goal of the re-entry establishment is to make former offenders self-sustaining (truly free), naturally it makes since to begin by helping them to define their proper role in the family, community and society; which is to create your own self worth by discovering what you can contribute to the well being of society.

This gives us purpose and importance and should be followed by taking an active role and responsibility of doing what nature intended us to do, sustain and advance life.

Government is expected to do this but, too often the establishment doesn't know how to go about doing it. Too often they see former offenders as ill equipped to succeed without supervision, but this is a misconception!

Whether at risk youth or troubled adult, the greater hindrance is the failure of the establishment to commit to (or guarantee) the adequate incentives (such as education, training, treatment and money) to give former offenders (and others) the ability to succeed on their own.

As the key component to successful re-entry Prodigal Sons and Daughters has promoted self help since it's inception in 1989 for two reasons; 1. you can't thoroughly represent something you haven't experienced...and 2. If we don't learn the nature of survival on our own, how will we ever truly understand the value of freedom or independence as opposed to forever being dependent?

The only sure way of staying out of trouble (conflict, crime and prison) is by learning how to take care of self and contribute in a positive way to society.

A person coming back to the community needs to know how to contribute something good to that community. Not come out having to beg for food, clothing, a home and a job.

The truth is, society still isn't prepared to assist the former offender to this degree. Therefore, we don't believe we should sit back and wait on them to put us in this position while we consider ourselves free men and women. 

We think we would best serve ourselves if we prove our worthiness of this second chance by creating that second chance ourselves.

We must guarantee incentives that will make us raise our own expectations for our communities. But, even with the right mindset, until you learn to use these tools of positivity, you would be hard pressed to succeed without being exceptionally good.

What better example of re-entry could there be than one who picks him or her self up toward self advancement?

This, Prodigal Sons and Daughters have been doing independently for 20 years, but again, we aren't boasting when we say they represent the best of the best that come out of the system...though many of us were classified as the worst at one time.

Who could better qualify to represent ex-offenders or set an example for them of what is possible than former offenders like Prodigal Sons and Daughters?

The failure of the re-entry establishment to recognize the tremendous impact that Prodigals has and could have on gaining an inside advantage on crime contributes to the present crisis.

We are prepared to work with them (and for them) if we can be respected as equals in expertise on these matters; not merely a small insignificance piece to the solution.

Our success with ex-offenders proves our worthiness. Our demonstrated ability to represent and run our own re-entry program should be recognized and applauded, not shunned.

Government, nor anyone else have come to our aid, perhaps because we are too independent.

In any regard, we shall continue to do what we are doing as a matter of survival and with the help of our friends.

What The Former Offenders Must Do To Help Themselves

Regardless to who tries to help the former offender, if the mentality of pulling one's self up by one's own bootstraps isn't paramount in the mind and heart of the offender, there is minimal or no success.

Today we witness the overwhelming numbers of released former offenders filling up the agencies seeking a job, an education, a home or some way around the revolving nightmare of prison recidi-vism.

Many of them are in crisis. It really doesn't matter what got them in this condition, the point is, as human beings, until you've experienced home-lessness, unemployment, poverty, total debt, aban-donment, and the demands placed on them by society in these conditions, you cannot see nor feel this reality.

This is not to say because you don't live it you don't sympathize with it.

But, to the former offender or anyone in a crisis we say; you cannot sit back hoping that the world will stop what it's doing to fix all the wrongs done to you. YOU MUST THINK IN TERMS OF FIXING THEM YOURSELF!  You ask: "How?"

The world respects the person trying to help self. Just the effort alone attracts helpers.

The key is in respecting the giver. Whether you are given help in the form of advice or money. Respect the giver by acting in a way that shows the giver that you are responsible and they didn't waste their time or money. Do what they advise you to do, or make progress with what they give you. This establishes confidence between you and will likely lead to other doors for you.

Though we must add that there are many instances where the giver will not understand the the visionary or the ways of the experienced. Which again brings us to the act of acquiring your own means to help yourself.

Agreeing to carry someone else requires alot.

This may be difficult for some of us to get, but it's true, you get back what you put out. Nothing can deliver you from your bad decisions but good decisions.

The Fraternity that is the Prodigal Sons & Daughters

There are many former or exoffenders that enter our doors seeking help and guidance who are either near or have been released back into socie-ty.

They come in having been lead to believe that we are an employment or legal services agency. These things play a role in what we are establish-ing, but the greatest thing we are creating is a brother and sister hood, a fraternity. 

The word fraternity is sufficient to describe both. 

Why is this organization formed in the fraternity spirit? The truth of the matter is that offenders and former offenders must be handled with the understanding that we have a particular goal in mind; to be the best that we can be!  Why? Because it is necessary to produce an exemplary re-entry example.

To do so requires a strict currriculum that not only encourages change, but demands it.

At this stage in the organization's development, for many ex-offenders this is a big step. But, until the means to speed up the duplication and mass production of that prototype comes this is neces-sary.

For that reason every measure must be taken to protect ourselves. It's very necessary to be a self policing organization, self elevating, self sustaining.

We understand that we are the exception and expect to be underestimated.

Though we have offices in the city of East Orange, NJ and are happy here; and we thank the people of East Orange for welcoming us, as did Trenton, Irvington and others over time, we were born and have always maintained that Newark, NJ is where we were found and is therefore our National Headquarters. That being the case we look to Newark to be the model for all future chapters around the nation.

For close to three years now we have had our eyes on a house (old Newark School of the Arts) located at 186 Clinton Avenue that seems to be made for us. As many who know us will tell you, we are after the collegitic look.  We believe in the fraternity spirit and the finer points of what it represents. We believe in a 24 hour positive social environment as an alternative to the idle and congested street life.

As we have with every other project that we’ve been entrusted with, it will give us a chance to prove our appreciation and worthiness to deliver on nurturing and cultivating positive change in a fairly distressed area of the city.  Not overlooking the fact that the demand for our services in Newark have always been the highest and are increasing.

The asking price is now at $529,000. We welcome any and all suggestions and assistance on acquiring this property. Check out:

www.jamesrealtyllc.com