wfn.org | United Methodist-related ministry focuses on 'Life After Prison'

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

March 26, 2004 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
7 E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org 7 ALL{134}

NOTE: The First LAP program is featured in the UMTV video report "Life After
Prison" released the week of March 24.	It is available at the UMTV Web site
www.umtv.org.

By Nancye Willis*

Just because Jack Odo lives in paradise doesn't mean he hasn't had his share
of problems. Addiction to drugs and a fast lifestyle landed him in jail
instead of on the beautiful beaches of Honolulu.  

He was able to shake his drug habit, but moving back into mainstream society
after his release proved to be almost as difficult as doing time. His new
freedom opened up a new search for meaning in his life. "I tried everything.
I couldn't find answers," he says. "Back out on the streets, I was nothing. I
wasn't loved by anyone."

Then Odo came upon "The First LAP" (Life After Prison), an innovative effort
related to Honolulu's Pacific Islanders United Methodist Church. Odo recalls,
"I needed a structured program to deal with my addiction and I found this
program that is based on Christian principles." 

Matthew Taufetee, a businessman who also serves the church as an associate
pastor, founded the nonprofit organization in 2002.  Taufetee was highlighted
in a recent "Pacific Business News" special report offering insights into how
Honolulu businesses and communities can help addicts help themselves turn
away from drugs. 

"Our program is a transitional stage to help build them spiritually, to help
them with their addiction and eliminate the revolving door," Taufetee told
reporter Debbie Sokei in September. 

"A lot of times the guys being paroled are going straight back home to where
the problem originated," he continued. That's what he hopes The First LAP can
help avoid. 

Taufetee has a firsthand understanding of the problems related to drug
addiction. In a land of endless summer, "ice" became his big problem when he
was just a teenager. 

His addiction to crystal methamphetamine almost destroyed his life. Still in
the process of recovery, Taufetee credits his church and family with helping
him stay on track, but he knows not everyone has that kind of support. 

The men at The First LAP are assigned regular chores at the residence and are
asked to volunteer at area food banks. "The approach we are showing these
clients is love, care, respect," Taufetee says. 

Part of that caring attitude includes requiring them to stay clean. Random
drug tests ensure that residents remain drug-free.

In addition, "we go to substance-abuse meetings. We have chemistry
education," Odo notes. A psychologist visits weekly for impromptu counseling
sessions, and clients attend church services twice a week.

The program operates on a shoestring budget, with Taufetee sometimes chipping
in his own money to keep it going. The Pacific Islanders congregation hosted
a fund-raising event in early October that brought in additional funds to
help support the effort. 

Once they are employed, residents pay $375 a month for room and board, money
that goes back into the program to help new residents. 

The dorm-like residence isn't fancy, but it keeps the men off the streets and
provides them with a bed, food and hot shower. It has helped more than 100
men find jobs and has provided transportation back and forth to work. 

"The United Methodist Church," Odo says, "cares about people. I feel safe
here because it's a place I know I am welcome."
# # #
* Willis is editor for the Public Information Team at United Methodist
Communications in Nashville, Tenn.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org