Introducing L.A.R.S.
As we prepare to expand nationally, Thrive For Life has prioritized the faithful tracking of our depth of impact. While the end to end comprehensive approach to prison reform produces transformed lives, it also produces lots of data. As there is no enterprise like Thrive For Life, there is no software package currently available to dynamically monitor the individuals that come into contact with our mission. Hundreds of inmates, resident scholars, volunteers, faith/corporate partners and staff work in close collaboration across the purpose, education, housing and employment pillars of our efforts. While Thrive For Life has been able to manage this integration with success across prisons systems in New York and New Jersey and our inaugural Ignacio House concept in the Bronx, we know that to flourish in other states, a solution must be designed.
Enter L.A.R.S (Location Assisted Resident Scholar) Portal, Thrive For Life’s proprietary data environment. Built entirely in house by the Development and Communications team, L.A.R.S. becomes the centerpiece of a robust network of individuals all working towards a common goal, transforming lives behind and beyond prison walls. “L.A.R.S. will allow us to truly measure our depth of impact and be an invaluable resource for all members of the Thrive For Life family,” says Vincenzo Guido, Director of Development & Communications.
In the short term, L.A.R.S. will integrate into a reimagined Ignacio House workflow. All resident scholars will be assigned accounts where they can input their goals and self-assessments, communicate with other scholars, and check-in once they move on to permanent housing and beyond. This same system will be used by Ignacio House Supportive Service Coordinators, who will be able to record observations and important information relevant to their work to provide a holistic suite of supportive services to each resident scholar. This centralized data can be sorted into comprehensive reports that will assist Thrive For Life manage operations and approach charitable organizations with live and insightful metrics.
In the long term, L.A.R.S. can provide important information concerning people who participate in retreats behind prison walls. By keeping track of key dates and correspondence with incarcerated individuals, Thrive For Life can continue to accurately select candidates for enrollment in Ignacio Houses of Studies across the nation.
Thrive For Life transforms people over a period of time. So, L.A.R.S. at its core, will provide insights into people and time. From the initial connection behind prison walls to the infinite set of outcomes beyond the walls, L.A.R.S. will be capable of recording and managing this transformative life span well into the future.