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What Is Project COPE?

Accomplishments

Board of Directors and Staff

Congregations that have Supported Teams

Current Partnership Teams

Criminal Justice as Seen in Religious Texts

History

How do I Apply?

Program Description

Our Location

Who is Eligible?

A History of Project COPE

In 1983, Volunteers in Probation and Parole (VIPP)–an auxiliary organization of the Department of Corrections–decided that the resources of the religious community should be used to alleviate the overwhelming problems of newly released ex-offenders, and thus reduce their reasons for returning to crime. Using a congregation-based team partnership model suggested by Hershel Walker and the Prison Service Committee (now Prisoner Family Services of Immanuel Lutheran), and a one-year grant from the United Way, VIPP hired a director and began Project COPE as a pilot program in March 1984.

After that grant expired, COPE reorganized as an independent organization with its own ecumenical Board of Directors. From the beginning, teams made a one-year commitment to their ex-offender partners. Most provided bus passes, clothing, state IDs and money for food, and all of them helped their partners look for work, get medical assistance and find safe housing.

Project COPE’s transitional housing program began in fall 1991 in leased facilities. By August 1994, COPE had raised enough money to buy two adjacent four-unit apartment buildings (3529 and 3533 Marcus). In January 2000, COPE purchased and remodeled 3537 Marcus to expand its transitional housing and remove the last blight on the block.

Two housing units are accessible. They have been used by residents who are older and those who have been ill.

Through its history, Project COPE has had three executive directors: Linda Schroeder (1985-2006); Sr. Mary Ann McGivern (2006-2009); and Adrienne Denson (2009-).