Breaking cycles of incarceration: The Ridge Project's holistic approach to reconnecting incarcerated fathers with their families.
When someone is incarcerated, it not only affects them. Their absence has a ripple effect on their family and loved ones. Parental and marital bonds can be severely strained with incarceration due to the change in the family dynamic, financial dependence and barriers to contact and communicate, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. One in every 50 children has a parent in prison or jail, and studies report numerous negative outcomes for children as a consequence of parental incarceration, ranging from depression and anxiety to aggression and delinquency, according to The Sentencing Project. The need for healing, restoring the family dynamic to what it used to be or even strengthening an already strained relationship between an incarcerated individual and their family is a very important part of the reentry process, and repairing damaged relationships is a strenuous and difficult process to tackle. An approach to this healing process requires a holistic and multi-faceted approach to help repair damaged relationships and develop positive and effective traits for the future within individuals and families, and the Ridge Project does just that.The Ridge Project is a multiple award-winning Christian non-profit organization founded in 2000 by Ron and Catherine Tijerina. The Tijerina family's commitment to rebuilding and strengthening family bonds stems from the turmoil that the Tijerina family faced when co-owner Ron Tijerina was incarcerated for 15 years in 1991. Overcoming hardships, including welfare, poor lifestyle choices and more, Ron and Catherine learned how to endure and build a new life together, but they both aspired for more. Together, they planned to create an outreach program that would help adults and youth create a new life for themselves by guiding them to make positive lifestyle choices and changes.
The first iteration of this faith-based program was called Keeping FAITH, which was developed in 1993. Keeping FAITH was a two-part system, with Ron mentoring inmates while Catherine would meet with the families of the incarcerated fathers and provide guidance. This program laid the groundwork for the Ridge Project and its renowned program, TYRO. Ron continued to mentor incarcerated men until his release in 2006, and in that time Catherine worked with their families and also began an after-school program to help at-risk youth. Once Ron was released, the Ridge Project fully came into fruition, receiving a grant from the Office of Family Assistance to provide their services to prisons throughout Ohio.
To this day, the Tijerina family continues to work with incarcerated fathers and their families as well as youth in order to achieve their goal of overcoming the culture of incarceration and to help build and maintain healthy, stable families. Their service is provided in 17 Ohio prisons and has served over 8,500 individuals, with incredible outcomes. With the groundwork created from the Keeping FAITH program, Ron and Catherine created the TYRO program, a holistic approach to strengthen incarcerated individuals and their families. TYRO is a multi-faceted program created in order to transform the lives of families and youth affected by the cycle of incarceration. TYRO consists of five different programs: TYRO Dads, Core Communication, TYRO Job Ethics Training (JET), Couple Communication and TYRO Youth.
TYRO Dads
Participants of the TYRO Dads program are, in many cases, learning how to overcome societal and individual constraints for the first time in their lives. This is where the program gets its name--"Tyro" is the Latin word for novice, apprentice or someone learning something new. Individuals use the moniker TYRO as they take part in the program, and at the end become a TYRO alumnus. The rigid and extensive curriculum of the program comprises of 10 workshops that helps the participants identify personal and societal barriers that hinder their personal growth, as well as the stability and foundation of their family, and actively work to dismantle them and establish positive behavioral patterns through cognitive restructuring and positive role-modeling. The program provides an evidence-based approach to help fathers become well-equipped with the challenges that they'll face upon release, and by following the five R's shown in their Model of Change (Figure 1), fathers are given the proper tools to become leaders in their family, community and workplace. The 10-week program tackles different topics and places for improvement with each workshop, but they all have the same overarching goal of teaching the participants how to improve each aspect of their lives in order to provide a better life for each member of their families.
1 D-TIP
The first workshop of TYRO Dads establishes the groundwork for the following workshops and establishes a foundation of expectations and ground rules. Participants learn the definition of a TYRO and then pledge to finish each workshop. Each TYRO participant will write their own personal story with complete transparency, which they will eventually share with the other participants. This course is a crucial first step in addressing and beginning to overcome any obstacles that are placed in front of them or any labels that they were given, by themselves or by others. Participants are also encouraged to identify the need for a safe and healthy environment for their families.
2 Pretender
This workshop is designed to specifically define where participants are in the stages of life--childhood and adulthood. It is easy to identify the stages of childhood, however it is more difficult to successfully navigate through being a functional and productive adult. The goal of this part of the program is for participants to become aware of the need to create a personal improvement plan as they continue to journey through adulthood.
3 Virtues
Virtue is described as behavior showing high moral standards. Participants in this stage will identify old, negative habits and attributes and recognize the importance of setting new, virtuous goals for their future. TYROs are encouraged to discard the entitlement mentality and embrace a life of selflessness that includes accepting responsibility for fulfilling the duties of a father.
4 Identity
This workshop is conducted in two parts:
Identity Part 1: In this workshop, participants will begin writing their autobiographies. Participants learn the value of telling their story and speaking life and truth into their own lives. Complete transparency is required for this stage, because though telling their story may appear hurtful, it is of utmost importance to uncover past traumas in order for a healing process to begin. Writing an autobiography helps in identifying personal, marital and parental strengths and weaknesses and recognizing triggers. Participants are assured that their autobiography is far from finished, giving hope for a bright future.
Identity Part 2: The second part of this workshop includes identifying the positive attributes that the participants possess. Participants are asked to list 25 "Great I Am's," or 25 things that are uniquely good about themselves. The importance of making this list is to actively deconstruct any feelings of negative self-worth and begin the process of restoration by implementing positive characteristics that will ultimately increase their self-esteem.
5 Worth
Referring to the "Great I Am's" from the prior workshop, participants learn how to identify their own self-worth and learn how to communicate that to others by learning how to "sell" themselves. Whether it be for employment or to others, participants learn how to exude confidence rather than arrogance, and engage with other participants to develop the ability to communicate their strengths. This exercise also helps participants see the potential in others and helps them further develop empathy.
6 Reflection
In this powerful workshop, participants share their autobiographies to the group, but also in front of a mirror. The goal of this is for the participants to confront themselves and be truthful and open in telling their story. TYROs are encouraged to leave behind their mental and emotional baggage in order for them to heal completely and keep it from causing harm in the future. After completing their story, participants are given positive affirmations and support by the other TYROs--a crucial step in helping the participant see the positive characteristics within themselves. This workshop is vital in helping the participant discuss all of the good or bad events that has made them who they are today, helping eliminate the tendency of denial or blaming, and increases their self-esteem and self-worth in order to develop a positive vision for the future of their family.
7 Vision
This workshop is conducted in two parts:
Vision Part 1: Short, medium and long-term goals are developed in this stage of the program. Participants are reminded how vital it is to develop sustainable and healthy goals for the future that include each of their family members in the process. The importance of including their families in their goals are stressed because it develops a family vision that can be worked towards and achieved by working together. In creating these goals, participants will recognize whether they have a clear plan or are just living moment by moment. Defining achievable and measurable goals is the main purpose of this workshop, and participants are given help from their mentors on how to make incremental steps towards their goals each day.
Vision Part 2: The second part of the vision workshop helps participants identify all of the relationships they have in their lives, as well as relationships that they need to form in order to successfully operate in society. TYROs learn the importance of receiving help from their communities, families and, if applicable, their parole/probation officers in order to successfully reintegrate into society. This workshop helps participants develop a plan for a circle of support and enhances community connectedness.
8 Legacy
This workshop is designed for TYROs and their families to expand upon their newly developed life plan and develop the ideals that they want their family to hold as well as the lifestyle they'd like to live. Participants write a mission statement for their families that represents wants and needs for the future, rather than thinking of the pain and mistakes of the past.
9 Living with a label
Becoming cognizant of the hurdles and challenges that await TYROs as they continue their journey are explored in this stage of the program. Participants identify limitations that were placed upon them, as well as on their families, by themselves or by society and develop a plan to overcome them. Overcoming societal and personal challenges helps TYROs enhance their personal responsibilities, which ultimately helps their families.
10 Live
The final workshop is a celebration of the accomplishment of attaining the title of TYRO. Participants reflect on their progress throughout their journey and are informed about further courses and education to further achieve the new way of life that they will encounter.
Proven effectiveness
An independent report by the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network showed that the TYRO Dads program proved to be effective in increasing parenting efficacy, perception of co-parenting relationships and parenting satisfaction for the fathers who completed the course. The study showed that the more sessions attended, the greater increase in positive outcome. TYRO Dads who complete the program in full have had a 19.6% recidivism rate after three years. Also, 97% of those who completed the course reported a strong commitment to fatherhood and 90% reported a strong feeling of hope for the future. Many families have been transformed by this program, and the results have gained state and national attention. The Ridge Project has received multiple awards, such as the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Community Reentry Award, the Fatherhood Achievement Award from the Ohio Commission of Fatherhood, the White House Fatherhood Hero Award, commendation by the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and many more.
Next steps
After completing the TYRO Dads course, other courses are available to further help the participants improve their relationships with their spouses and prepare them for employment upon reentry. Family engagement activities are offered to families to further strengthen the bond between a TYRO and his family, and offers them a chance to employ the lessons learned from the TYRO Dads curriculum. Couples Communication is an eight-hour course taken by spouses that stresses the importance of communication in a healthy relationship. This communication course has two parts, and taking it helps participants learn conflict resolution, anger management and, most importantly, relationship stability. This course has proven to increase relationship stability, the ability for partners to work out problems constructively and self-esteem. Couples Communication has an overall positive impact on relations within a family, with 55% of TYRO Dads and 50% of Couples Communication participants reported on the improved quality of their relationship with their partner, according to a report by Baylor University. For individuals seeking practical communication skills for any interpersonal situation, the Ridge Project offers the Core Communication program. Core Communication is an evidence-based program that teaches participants talking and listening skills in order to improve conflict resolution, making decisions, problem-solving and negotiating. This proven method has helped over 1.6 million people and is taught in more than 350 colleges and universities, according to the TYRO website. Another program is the TYRO Job Ethics Training program, which is a 16-hour course that helps train future employees in three areas:
1. Recognizing how workers become successful.
2. Determining what is good and what is right.
3. Making and keeping commitments to build reputation.
This program teaches participants how to maintain employment, and also teaches them crossover skills that adds to their value and opens up a variety of job options.
Investing in youth
The Ridge Project also has an evidence-based program dedicated to help youth transition into adulthood by teaching goal-setting, leadership development, drug/alcohol abuse resistance and more. The TYRO youth program has been a staple of the Ridge Projects approach to their holistic approach to making the community better, and since it's start in 2002 has been implemented in many different communities, and is adapted to fit the unique needs for each community. This year-long program approaches the many different challenges that life will present as they grow older, and aims to teach youth to develop a personal life plan, increase their sense of personal achievement and empowerment and most importantly gives them a chance to view life from a more knowledgeable and positive point of view. A 2008 study by Miami University showed that overall, participants in the TYRO Youth program experienced positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviors.
Breaking cycles of incarceration
All of these programs, taken together or by themselves, work purposefully and effectively to create stronger bonds between families, an increased sense of empowerment and an increased perception of self-worth and self-esteem in inmates that carries over into their life after incarceration. The Tijerina family's dedication to improving the lives of families affected by incarceration is rooted in their own struggle, and through that struggle they've emerged to become an example of how perseverance and self-reflection and improvement can rebuild a family and break the cycle of incarceration throughout the nation. For more information on the Ridge Project, visit their website at www.theridgeproject.com.
BY ROBERT BRECKENRIDGE II
Robert Breckenridge II is an assistant editor at the American Correctional Association.
TYRO Declaration
I (state name) am a TYRO. I AM a man of honor. I AM a man of good character. I do not embarrass my family, nor do I cause them pain and suffering. I live my life upright and full of virtue. I AM a man of integrity. I do not lie, cheat, or steal. I do not live my life justifying my mistakes and shortcomings. I AM trustworthy. I openly admit my faults and seek to become stronger each day. I AM loyal. I protect those that I love and defend those who are weaker than me. I AM grateful. I strive to achieve my highest potential. I know what I believe. I AM a person of faith.
My self-esteem does not come from others, but from doing what is right and just in all things. I AM confident. I am neither arrogant nor boastful. My confidence comes from knowing myself and my character. I AM a friend. I do not use or manipulate people for my own personal gain. I live my life in moderation. I do not need material things to make me feel important or valuable. I know the difference between what I want and what I need. Others needs are important to me. I AM strong. I do not succumb to temptations like drugs, alcohol, or lust that will keep me from fulfilling my destiny. I AM A TYRO.
I love learning and strive to increase my knowledge that I may live up to my highest potential. I AM good. I understand pain and suffering. Pain and suffering have been my greatest teachers. I will not use them as an excuse to fail. I AM free. I am free to dream and to create a better world for myself and all those around me. I do not use my freedom to imprison others mentally or physically. I AM patient. I do not lose my temper when I do not get my way or give up when I encounter resistance. I understand that those things worth having are worth waiting for. I AM an ambassador of hope for the hopeless. I AM beautiful. My actions and words reflect beauty and life. I do not spread poison with my life. I AM the antidote. I AM proud of who I am and what I represent and what I have overcome. I love myself. In loving myself, I am able to love others. I love my family. I AM a man of discipline. The discipline I embrace guards me against envy, greed, hate, and violence. I AM responsible. I can be depended upon to do what I say I will do. I AM a leader. I AM a man worth following.
I AM a TYRO!
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| Title Annotation: | FATHERHOOD PROGRAM |
|---|---|
| Author: | Breckenridge, Robert, II |
| Publication: | Corrections Today |
| Date: | Jul 1, 2019 |
| Words: | 2966 |
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