News – Embraced:Fully https://embracedfully.org Success for Returning Citizens Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:29:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://i0.wp.com/embracedfully.org/files/2021/08/cropped-Embraced_Fully_square_logo.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 News – Embraced:Fully https://embracedfully.org 32 32 185773216 You’re Invited! Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop – Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) – Exploring interfaith partnerships https://embracedfully.org/angel-team-workshop-thursday-january-15-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=angel-team-workshop-thursday-january-15-2026 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:28:33 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2426 Embraced:Fully Hands Together

Join us for our monthly Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop on Thursday, January 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) on Zoom. Guests are always welcome!

This monthly gathering is a welcoming space to explore how we can support returning citizens—individuals coming home from incarceration—on their path toward stability, healing, and freedom.

Together we’ll discuss:

  • 💫 What is an Angel Team?
  • 👥 Who can join or start one?
  • 🕊 How can churches and volunteers make a meaningful impact?

 

Join our mailing list to receive an invite link to our Zoom meetings.

 

💖 What Angel Teams Do

Embraced:Fully Angel Teams walk alongside returning community members to help them rebuild their lives — offering practical help like housing, transportation, and employment connections, and most importantly, a caring, faith-based community that welcomes them home.


📋 Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions & Announcements
Share who you are and whether you’re currently connected with any returning community members—or would like to be.

2. Regional Angel Team Updates
Progress, challenges, and success stories from Angel Teams across the country.

3. Volunteer Chaplain Check-ins
Updates from visiting and corresponding chaplains working with inmates and returning citizens.

4. Discussion Topic: Exploring interfaith partnerships
This year we are continuing to expand our interfaith partnerships in our National Angel Team Network.

5. Next Steps & Closing
Confirm upcoming meeting dates and next steps.


This is a working meeting for Angel Teams nationwide and anyone interested in starting or joining a team, volunteering remotely, or simply learning more about reentry support. Together, we help returning community members build new lives and avoid re-incarceration through love, structure, and spiritual guidance.


🎥 Video Replays

Catch up on past meetings and inspiring stories:

Embraced:Fully Videos


🌍 Our Mission

In partnership with others, Embraced:Fully supports incarcerated and returning citizens in their moral and spiritual journey toward successful reentry.
Through Angel Team members, we help connect individuals with community, faith, housing, employment, transportation, friendship, and mentorship—building bridges of hope and belonging.

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Arrested at 14, Free at 43: Charles Jones’s Fight for Justice – [Video] https://embracedfully.org/interview-with-charles-jones/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-charles-jones Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:27:56 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2411 Watch the replay of our interview Charles Jones:

About our guest

Charles Jones was arrested at 14 and incarcerated at 16 for a murder he didn’t commit. The real killer? The detective who arrested him.

After 27 years maintaining his innocence, Charles is finally free. During those decades behind bars, he earned his GED, Associate’s degree, and studied law—using that knowledge to advocate for himself and fellow inmates. Now 43, he’s preparing to have his record vacated as Kansas faces a lawsuit over his wrongful imprisonment.

Join us to hear Charles’s remarkable story of resilience, self-education, and unwavering hope.

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

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What Freedom Really Means – From Behind Bars – Replay [Video] https://embracedfully.org/what-freedom-really-means-from-behind-bars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-freedom-really-means-from-behind-bars Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:25:14 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2406 Watch the replay of this excellent talk!

What Freedom Really Means – From Behind Bars – Replay

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KZLq9LMwzQ

 

“How Prayer Can Bring Freedom!”

Bobby Lewis, CS is a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship and is also a prison chaplain in Buena Vista, Colorado—making this talk especially meaningful for the Embraced:Fully community.

Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, supporting someone on their journey back into society, or simply curious about the healing power of prayer, this talk promises to be uplifting and practical.

About the Speaker

Bobby Lewis, CS is a Christian Science practitioner based in Buena Vista, Colorado. In addition to his work as a practitioner, he serves as a prison chaplain—bringing spiritual support and healing insights to those who need it most. He is also a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

Questions?

Contact: csinsanjuancapistrano.com or christiansciencesjc@gmail.com

How Prayer Can Bring Freedom!

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🌟 You’re Invited! Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop – Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) – Year End Review & Looking Forward to 2026 https://embracedfully.org/embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-december-18-2025-year-end-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-december-18-2025-year-end-review Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:18:27 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2403 Year End Review and Looking Forward

Join us for our monthly Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) on Zoom. Guests are always welcome!

This monthly gathering is a welcoming space to explore how we can support returning citizens—individuals coming home from incarceration—on their path toward stability, healing, and freedom.

Together we’ll discuss:

  • 💫 What is an Angel Team?
  • 👥 Who can join or start one?
  • 🕊 How can churches and volunteers make a meaningful impact?

 

Join our mailing list to receive an invite link to our Zoom meetings.

 

💖 What Angel Teams Do

Embraced:Fully Angel Teams walk alongside returning community members to help them rebuild their lives — offering practical help like housing, transportation, and employment connections, and most importantly, a caring, faith-based community that welcomes them home.


📋 Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions & Announcements
Share who you are and whether you’re currently connected with any returning community members—or would like to be.

2. Regional Angel Team Updates
Progress, challenges, and success stories from Angel Teams across the country.

3. Volunteer Chaplain Check-ins
Updates from visiting and corresponding chaplains working with inmates and returning citizens.

4. Discussion Topic: Year End Review & Looking Forward to 2026
As we close out 2025, we’ll reflect on the blessings, growth, and progress made this year—and look ahead to our vision, goals, and opportunities for supporting returning citizens in 2026.

5. Next Steps & Closing
Confirm upcoming meeting dates and ways to stay connected in the new year.


This is a working meeting for Angel Teams nationwide and anyone interested in starting or joining a team, volunteering remotely, or simply learning more about reentry support. Together, we help returning community members build new lives and avoid re-incarceration through love, structure, and spiritual guidance.


🎥 Video Replays

Catch up on past meetings and inspiring stories:

Embraced:Fully Videos


🌍 Our Mission

In partnership with others, Embraced:Fully supports incarcerated and returning citizens in their moral and spiritual journey toward successful reentry.
Through Angel Team members, we help connect individuals with community, faith, housing, employment, transportation, friendship, and mentorship—building bridges of hope and belonging.

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Healing and Hope Through Music – a special music gathering with Matthew Hammond, Laura Lapointe, family & friends [video] https://embracedfully.org/healing-and-hope-through-music/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=healing-and-hope-through-music Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:15:34 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2356 Watch the replay of this very special musical gathering featuring Matthew Hammond, Laura Lapointe, family and friends!

 

Matthew Hammond and Laura Lapointe

Matthew Hammond and Laura Lapointe

Special Guest Alert! Mathew Hammond of Love Only Grows Music Ministry along with Laura Lapointe, his family and friends will be performing live at our next Embraced:Fully Zoom Meeting, December 4th at 6PM (Pacific Time). You will definitely want to attend. For what better way could there to celebrate the joy and spirit of the Christ spirit than with the healing and transformative music and abundant goodwill that emanates from Matthew’s deeply effecting voice and sweet guitar work? He, along with his wife Liz, family and friends look forward to sharing some of their original songs and Christmas carols with you, your church and friends. This promises to be a truly special evening of uplifting spiritual music that brings healing and transformation…. and oh did we mention joy?! There will be plenty of that.

Laura is a Christian Science practitioner with a background in education and the arts. Prior to entering the full-time practice, Laura worked in a prison in Boston as a literacy teacher and with a re-entry program. Laura loves to worship through song, particularly in gospel choirs over many years, and learns much through dialogue with fellow Christians and those of other faiths. She believes in being honest about her struggles as a way of encouraging and showing solidarity with everyone who is on this journey of striving to love God and our neighbors more each day. 

Links:

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

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🌟 You’re Invited! Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop – Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) https://embracedfully.org/youre-invited-embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-thursday-november-20-2025-at-600-pm-pacific/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=youre-invited-embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-thursday-november-20-2025-at-600-pm-pacific Wed, 12 Nov 2025 21:26:17 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2360 Wheat

Join us for our monthly Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Pacific) on Zoom. Guests are always welcome!

This monthly gathering is a welcoming space to explore how we can support returning citizens—individuals coming home from incarceration—on their path toward stability, healing, and freedom.

Together we’ll discuss:

  • 💫 What is an Angel Team?

  • 👥 Who can join or start one?

  • 🕊 How can churches and volunteers make a meaningful impact?

💖 What Angel Teams Do

Embraced:Fully Angel Teams walk alongside returning community members to help them rebuild their lives — offering practical help like housing, transportation, and employment connections, and most importantly, a caring, faith-based community that welcomes them home.


📋 Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions & Announcements
Share who you are and whether you’re currently connected with any returning community members—or would like to be.

2. Regional Angel Team Updates
Progress, challenges, and success stories from Angel Teams across the country.

3. Volunteer Chaplain Check-ins
Updates from visiting and corresponding chaplains working with inmates and returning citizens.

4. Discussion Topic: Giving Thanks and Gratitude
A time to reflect on the blessings, growth, and shared purpose within this work.

5. Next Steps & Closing
Confirm upcoming meeting dates and ways to stay connected.


This is a working meeting for Angel Teams nationwide and anyone interested in starting or joining a team, volunteering remotely, or simply learning more about reentry support. Together, we help returning community members build new lives and avoid re-incarceration through love, structure, and spiritual guidance.


🎥 Video Replays

Catch up on past meetings and inspiring stories:

Embraced:Fully Videos


🌍 Our Mission

In partnership with others, Embraced:Fully supports incarcerated and returning citizens in their moral and spiritual journey toward successful reentry.
Through Angel Team members, we help connect individuals with community, faith, housing, employment, transportation, friendship, and mentorship—building bridges of hope and belonging.

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

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Interview with Carlos Vasquez – “Coming out of Prison With a Purpose” [video] https://embracedfully.org/interview-with-carlos-vasquez/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-carlos-vasquez Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:37:49 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2349 Watch the replay:

 

Our 2nd interview with Carlos Vasquez, author, speaker, and CEO of How to Battle and co-founder of the Pathway to Purpose Project.

We discussed how to come out of prison with a true purpose in life. Carlos served 17 years and experienced true moral character transformation. Today, his inspiring podcast reaches thousands of listeners.

Carlos Vasquez

About our guest

Carlos Vasquez is a speaker, author, and the Founder and CEO of HTB Consulting. After overcoming homelessness, addiction, and a 17-year prison sentence, Carlos transformed his life through faith, education, and personal development. He walked out of prison with just $200 in gate money and rebuilt his life from scratch.

Carlos is also the co-founder of the Pathway to Purpose Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth, including those in foster care and juvenile detention. Through his work and podcast platform, Carlos strives to inspire individuals to embrace resilience, overcome fear, unlock their potential, and create lasting change in their lives and communities.

Links:

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

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Embraced:Fully Angel Team workshop meeting on October 16 at 6:00 pm (Pacific) – You’re invited! https://embracedfully.org/embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-meeting-on-october-16-at-600-pm-pacific-youre-invited/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-meeting-on-october-16-at-600-pm-pacific-youre-invited Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:35:26 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2345 Sunshine on hand

Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 6:00 pm (Pacific) for our monthly Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop Zoom meeting.  Guests are always welcome!

In this meeting we explore how we can support returning citizens as they return home from incarceration, as well as how we can support their journey and path to freedom. We discuss topics including: What is an Angel Team? Who can be part of one? How do we start them up, and what role can our churches play in this meaningful work?

Embraced:Fully Angel Teams help qualified individuals coming out of prison find housing, transportation, employment, and most importantly a welcoming church community.

Agenda for the call:

  1. Introductions & Announcements – Introduce yourself, are you currently working with any returning community members (or planning to)?
  2. Regional Angel Team Updates & Returning Community Member check-ins – sharing progress, challenges, and accomplishments.
  3. Visiting and Corresponding Volunteer Chaplain check-ins – updates from the field.
  4. Topic for Discussion: Day 1 of release – now what!?
  5. Confirm next meeting dates, wrap up meeting.

This is a monthly working meeting for Embraced:Fully Angel Teams across the nation, and also people interested in volunteering to either start or join one, or participate remotely.  Angel Teams help returning community members succeed in not going back to prison or jail.

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

Video replays

Embraced:Fully Videos

 

Our mission: In partnership and collaboration with others, we support inmates in their moral and spiritual journey for successful reentry with the assistance of Angel Team members who help find community, faith-based connections, housing, employment, transportation, friendship and mentorship.

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Interview with Rob Smith, San Diego County Director, Center for Employment Opportunities https://embracedfully.org/interview-with-rob-smith/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-rob-smith Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:21:28 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2337 Watch the replay of our interview with Rob Smith, San Diego County Director, Center for Employment Opportunities:

 

About our guest

Rob Smith is the Site Director of the CEO San Diego office, overseeing all aspects of the Social Enterprise and our vocational services. Rob has 20 years experience as a nonprofit leader, specifically focused in underserved communities. He is also a lived experience expert in understanding the challenges of extreme poverty, domestic violence, sexual assault, drug addiction and incarceration from early childhood until his release from state prison in 2000 that was the existence of his life. Overseeing the CEO office in San Diego Robert has been able to combine the best of both his worlds; his relentless hustle and grind mentality has propelled San Diego’s office to the second largest site next to NYC; his deep understanding of and ability to partner/broker between justice involved communities and public systems has contributed to expanding San Diego CEO’s footprint across the local region.

About CEO

Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) offers individuals returning home from incarceration the ongoing support necessary to build career capital and financial stability. We believe that everyone, regardless of their past, deserves the chance to work toward a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

As the largest reentry employment provider in the country, CEO is using our scale, experience, and data – backed by our participants’ feedback on what works – to change the way government invests in criminal justice and workforce development.

Links:

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

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Embraced:Fully Angel Team workshop meeting on September 18 at 6:00 pm (Pacific) – You’re invited to attend! https://embracedfully.org/embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-meeting-on-september-18-at-600-pm-pacific-youre-invited-to-attend/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embracedfully-angel-team-workshop-meeting-on-september-18-at-600-pm-pacific-youre-invited-to-attend Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:59:21 +0000 https://embracedfully.org/?p=2335 Birds Flying

Join us on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm (Pacific) for our monthly Embraced:Fully Angel Team Workshop Zoom meeting.  Guests are always welcome!

In this meeting we explore how we can support returning citizens as they return home from incarceration, as well as how we can support their journey and path to freedom. We discuss topics including: What is an Angel Team? Who can be part of one? How do we start them up, and what role can our churches play in this meaningful work?

Embraced:Fully Angel Teams help qualified individuals coming out of prison find housing, transportation, employment, and most importantly a welcoming church community.

Agenda for the call:

  1. Introductions & Announcements – Introduce yourself, are you currently working with any returning community members (or planning to)?
  2. Regional Angel Team Updates & Returning Community Member check-ins – sharing progress, challenges, and accomplishments.
  3. Visiting and Corresponding Volunteer Chaplain check-ins – updates from the field.
  4. Topic for Discussion: Housing, employment, and future success
  5. Confirm next meeting dates, wrap up meeting.

This is a monthly working meeting for Embraced:Fully Angel Teams across the nation, and also people interested in volunteering to either start or join one, or participate remotely.  Angel Teams help returning community members succeed in not going back to prison or jail.

Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service
Marshall, Byron, and David after Byron’s first church service

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to Support Embraced:Fully Angel Teams and Returning Citizens

Embraced Fully Fund
Embraced Fully Fund

↗ Note: Please be sure to select “Embraced Fully” in the “Fund” drop-down list on the donation page.

If you would like to support the work of Embraced:Fully with a check instead of an online donation, please make it out to:

The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861

View additional donation options here

Please remember to specify Embraced:Fully as the program you’d like to support.

Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID number 43-0816306.

Video replays

Embraced:Fully Videos

 

Our mission: In partnership and collaboration with others, we support inmates in their moral and spiritual journey for successful reentry with the assistance of Angel Team members who help find community, faith-based connections, housing, employment, transportation, friendship and mentorship.

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