Returning Citizens

Assisting men and women as they return to society following incarceration is one of the newest ministries of the St. John conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.   Our Friends of Returning Citizens group seeks to help these men and women as they journey toward  rebuilding their lives and becoming productive members of society.  Volunteers involved in this emerging ministry recognize that returning citizens, especially those without support from family, face a multitude of obstacles.  

A central focus of our ministry to returning citizens is warmly welcoming these individuals on the day of their release from prison. We prepare and deliver a welcome basket containing an assortment of food, personal care items, and a gift card. We also provide information about resources available to them, offer to pray with them, and invite them to contact us with questions or assistance they might have in the future. Members of the Friends of Returning Citizen group serve in one or several roles – shopping for items to be included in the welcome baskets, packing the welcome baskets, or – in teams of two – delivering the welcome baskets.  


Members of the Friends of Returning Citizens group also have collaborated with two other agencies in Lansing to assist returning citizens by providing housing and support services. St. Vincent de Paul volunteers hosted weekly community dinners that helped build bridges of trust and support for these men who had no family in the area.  Looking to the future, the Friends of Returning Citizens group hopes to increase the number of volunteers and the scope of support that we provide. 

Ready to volunteer, or just want to learn more?    Email us at [email protected] or contact Anne-Marie Voice:  517.303.5155 | [email protected].

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