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2021 | April
RECEIVING RECOGNITION
Greetings!

Before COVID-19, we could never have anticipated that we would one day need to find an alternative way to conduct our program. Restricted access to prisons sparked the creation of BTL's Self-Study Program, which launched in August of last year. Over 1,800 offender participants graduated from Fall 2020 projects, and over 6,500 are now enrolled in Spring 2021.

We are excited to share with you that Bridges To Life's Self-Study Program has been named "Most Innovative Program of 2020" by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice! The award was presented virtually on April 16th at the Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards Ceremony (see the video here*) and delivered in person by TDCJ Chaplain Eddie Fleming (pictured above with John Sage). As is so often the case, from difficulty can come good when placed in God's hands.

Gratefully,

John Sage, Founder & CEO
Jim Buffington, COO

*See John Sage and Jim Buffington receiving the award at 1:18:30 time mark.
CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS
Bridges To Life has been a volunteer-led program since its first project in 1999. While we are currently limited to conducting the program by Self-Study, volunteers continue to serve by reviewing the thousands of Self-Study Guides completed by inmate participants. Over 3,100 men and women have volunteered for BTL since inception and have impacted the lives of over 56,000 graduates of the program.

We celebrate and extend our gratitude to every volunteer who has
given of their time and devotion to the mission of Bridges To Life.
You are the heart of our success, and we thank you!

These BTL volunteers were also honored at the Governor's Criminal Justice
Volunteer Service Awards for their contributions:
HONORING CRIME VICTIMS
Like many of us at BTL, Chief Operating Officer, Jim Buffington, is not only a staff member but a crime victim* -- his mother was murdered 45 years ago. At that time, "we didn't have anyone to help us through the trial process. We were not advised of hearing or trial dates, we couldn't make a victim impact statement. There was no support for the victim like there is now."

April 18-24 marks the 40th anniversary
of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, commemorating the work of advocates and lawmakers who changed what victims like Jim and his family go through in the wake of the trauma of crime.
These victim's rights now include:
  • the right to timely notice of court proceedings
  • the right to be heard regarding release, plea, or sentencing
  • the right to full and timely restitution
  • and many other important rights (see the full list here)

We join all crime victims in appreciation of the rights that protect them and ensure that their voices are heard.

*Learn more of Jim's story here.