2021 | December
A MOTHER'S STORY
Greetings!

The letter below was written by an inmate's mother to Bridges To Life. I hope its powerful message touches your soul the way it touched ours:

Dear Mr. Sage,
xxxxWe met at my son's graduation from the Bridges To Life program at the Central Unit in Sugar Land, Texas. Although I had no idea who you were at the beginning of the evening, I know I will never forget you and your volunteers.
xxxxMy son David was a nice kid, talented, smart and very creative, but somewhere along the way we lost him. He no longer seemed to care about anyone or anything. This was very hard to take and ultimately led him into trouble. About the time he turned 15, he pulled away from his family and began stealing cars and getting in trouble. He was in a Youth Facility first and then eventually made his way to prison.
xxxxWhen David was first institutionalized, the letters I would get from him were all about how unfair he was being treated. How I had failed him as a mother and how it was no surprise that he was in jail because of his horrible life and lack of parenting. Absolutely nothing that was happening to him was his fault. I was very discouraged and afraid that when he was released it would only be a matter of time before he was in trouble again. 
xxxxAround Christmas, he started writing about Bridges To Life. From the first letters I received after he started the program I heard a different tone. He didn't seem quite as aggressive. Then I got a letter that made me cry. He wrote about a victim in his group. He wrote about how small it made him feel to know that "someone like him" had caused her so much pain. He wrote about how he thought of the people he had stolen from and how much trouble he caused them. He wrote that he had done wrong.
xxxxDuring the three months of the program, my son David came back. He wrote of missing his family (something he had never admitted to before), he wrote of dreams he had for when he got out. He wrote about a future that he wanted to take part in, instead of complaining that the world was unfair. 
xxxxMy family and I felt the change in his letters so strongly that we decided to travel the 1,600 miles round trip to attend his Bridges To Life graduation. When we got there I saw for myself that I truly had my son back. All of the anger and denial of responsibility was gone. In its place were the hopes and dreams and feelings that he had before he drew away from us.
xxxxPlease feel free to share this with anyone you feel it will help. I am so indebted to you and your volunteers for giving me my son back.
xxxxThank you, 
xxxxDavid's Mom

In this Christmas season, we at Bridges To Life wish peace and blessings to all of our supporters and friends. May you find the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams in the coming year.

Gratefully,

John Sage, CEO
Jim Buffington, COO

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS (OLD & NEW)!
Click the photo for a special message from
Bridges To Life COO
Jim Buffington, shown here (front row, right) with a group of BTL inmate participants and fellow volunteers. Whether you're a current BTL volunteer or want to become one, we need you! For more information on how to get started, contact the Regional Coordinator in your area.

GIVING HOPE

It's not too late to remember BTL in your end-of-year giving!
Go to our DONATE page to give via credit card, or mail your check to:

Bridges To Life
P.O. Box 570895
Houston, TX 77257-0895

THANK YOU!
VOLUNTEER----------------- ----------------DONATE