The following is an article prepared by Christa Pipitone, one of Thrive For Life’s lead volunteers in Milwaukee readying our new house for resident scholars entering later this fall. We are grateful for all Christa and her team have done to get us started!

Thrive For Life Prison Project is glad to share exciting updates on the launch of our new House of Studies in Milwaukee! This beautiful house, formerly the residence of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, will soon be a home for up to 12 resident scholars, continuing the good work of education, the first of its kind in the state of Wisconsin.

Earlier this spring, Abraham House had the honor of hosting Congressman Ritchie Torres, who visited our community to learn more about our work to transform lives behind and beyond the prison walls. Congressman Torres and his team engaged with members of the Abraham House community including residents, staff, and volunteers to gain insights into our efforts to accompany our brothers on their journey to permanently and successfully reenter free society.

The interesting thing about the place where graduation happened is that about 20 minutes north of Yankee Stadium, I started my reentry journey at Ignacio House of Studies. Once I enrolled at NYU, I would frequently pass by 161st Street and Yankee Stadium station on the 4 train, traveling back and forth to campus. This route became a significant part of my daily life, linking my past struggles to my present achievements and reminding me of how far I have come. Because of this, my class of 2024 graduation felt like a homecoming—a familiar moment of coming into my own four years after my release from incarceration.

Earlier this spring, Thrive For Life had the pleasure of hosting students from St. Louis University Campus Ministry on a social justice-focused immersion trip to New York City. This journey was rooted in the pillars of Community, Spirituality, Justice, and Solidarity, offering participants a deep dive into the realities and efforts surrounding criminal justice reform. We are thrilled to share highlights from our memorable experience with these students at Abraham House.

My graduation journey has been a testament to the remarkable power of dreaming, even in the face of uncertainty. Released to a world devastated by COVID-19 and finding a safe haven in Ignacio House, I dared to dream of a future worth pursuing, a future birthed through my art and higher learning. As I stand on the cusp of graduation, I realize that no dream is too big to create, no obstacle too daunting to overcome. My journey is proof that with patience, humility, courage, and a resilient belief in the power of community, anything is possible.

Under the guidance of Fr. Zach, with the tremendous help of Prof. Wendy Volz Daniels, these retreats will offer a space for reflection, spiritual growth, and discernment of a deeper sense of purpose. This all comes as we continue our planning to launch the first house of studies in Milwaukee for our returning brothers continuing the good work of education. As we look to this autumn in eager anticipation of the house’s launch, these retreats will play an important role in building relationships and community behind the walls as we plant the seeds of transformation.

Under the guidance of Fr. Zach, with the tremendous help of Prof. Wendy Volz Daniels, these retreats will offer a space for reflection, spiritual growth, and discernment of a deeper sense of purpose. This all comes as we continue our planning to launch the first house of studies in Milwaukee for our returning brothers continuing the good work of education. As we look to this autumn in eager anticipation of the house’s launch, these retreats will play an important role in building relationships and community behind the walls as we plant the seeds of transformation.

Under the guidance of Fr. Zach, with the tremendous help of Prof. Wendy Volz Daniels, these retreats will offer a space for reflection, spiritual growth, and discernment of a deeper sense of purpose. This all comes as we continue our planning to launch the first house of studies in Milwaukee for our returning brothers continuing the good work of education. As we look to this autumn in eager anticipation of the house’s launch, these retreats will play an important role in building relationships and community behind the walls as we plant the seeds of transformation.