Released And Restored Inc
About Released And Restored Inc
Released & Restored works with incarcerated women and men in Nebraska before release and after they come home. The focus is practical: job readiness, life skills, critical thinking, re-entry support, and the kind of help that can make the first steps back into the community feel possible. It also pays attention to family relationships and the everyday details of employment and daily living that matter once someone is out.
What sets Released & Restored apart is how much of the work happens on both sides of release. Participants can begin with inside-prison programming, then keep going with post-release support that helps them schedule job interviews, connect with local service providers, and build healthier routines. Faith-based support is part of that picture too.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
EMPWR
A 40-contact-hour program, Embracing My Personal Worth and Resiliency, for incarcerated women. It focuses on self-confidence, self-control, self-direction, and self-sustaining choices.
M.I.C.A.H.
Men of Integrity Accountability Honor, a program for participants that teaches healthy masculinity, integrity, courage, accountability, and honor.
Life Skills/Re-Entry Prep
A 40-contact-hour program that prepares people to obtain and maintain gainful employment after release, including interview prep, resume building, job retention, and basic money management.
Planning with Purpose
A 40-contact-hour flagship program focused on critical thinking, goal setting, constructive decision making, and faith practices that support life after release.
Job Readiness/Life Skills
A 15-contact-hour program for jail inmates that prepares people for employment after release, teaches money management, and addresses landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
Re-Entry Support
Post-release support that helps men and women schedule job interviews, strengthen healthy behaviors, access community resources, and connect with local service providers.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Released & Restored provides inmates and ex-offenders in Nebraska with the tools and support systems needed to learn how to live productive, moral, ethical, and legal lives in their communities after release from prison or jail.
Who they serve
Incarcerated women and men in Nebraska, ex-offenders returning to the community, and people re-entering after release from prison or jail.
Their impact
- In 2020, seven women completed the third cohort of EMPWR at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln, including one participant who finished after release.
- In 2019, the organization graduated two EMPWR cohorts from the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln and two EMPWR cohorts from the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.
How your donation helps
- Study materials for participants in classes
- Financial support for the ministry's operations
- The 4-week Jobs Readiness/Life Skills class
- The Life Skills/Re-Entry Prep program
- The 20-week Planning With Purpose class
- Computer lab laptops and printers used for job searches and vital documents
- Re-entry support services inside and outside prison facilities
Our story
Released & Restored began in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2004. Ruth Karlsson is identified as the founder and executive director, and the organization started partnering with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in January 2005 to provide programming for incarcerated people preparing for re-entry.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Released And Restored Inc’s services.
People seeking support can contact the office by phone or email. Re-entry Support is offered outside prison facilities, and programs are also provided inside Nebraska correctional facilities and local detention facilities.
Stories
The people behind the work.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Released And Restored Inc has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteering in prison with comprehensive training and background checks
- Volunteering outside prison for the Re-entry Support program
- Organizing local fundraisers
- Sending out mailings
- Writing articles for the newsletter
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of programs does Released & Restored offer?
Released & Restored offers EMPWR, M.I.C.A.H., Life Skills/Re-Entry Prep, Planning with Purpose, Job Readiness/Life Skills, and Re-Entry Support.
Who does Re-Entry Support help?
Re-Entry Support helps men and women after release from prison or jail by helping with job interviews, healthier habits, and connections to local service providers.
Where are the programs offered?
Programs are offered inside Nebraska prison facilities, at the Adult Detention Facility, the Lancaster County Jail, and in post-release settings through Re-Entry Support.
What does the Job Readiness/Life Skills program teach?
It helps people get ready for employment after release, covers basic money management, and addresses landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
What is Planning with Purpose?
Planning with Purpose is a 40-contact-hour flagship program focused on critical thinking, goal setting, constructive decision making, and faith practices that support life after release.
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