Prisoners of Christ holds breakfast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Prisoners of Christ, a local organization that helps former prisoners get back on their feet, held its annual breakfast Tuesday to show the community what the organization is all about.

Hundreds gathered at the Prime Osborn Center. Among them were men who have turned their lives around after prison thanks to the help of Prisoners of Christ. This marks the 24th year the organization has put on this crime prevention breakfast.

"It's important for them to know not only that this is a faith-based mission where we see men's lives transformed, but it's also important for them to understand that it makes our whole community a better place to live," said Steve McCoy, director of Prisoners of Christ.

McCoy said the annual crime prevention breakfast is a great opportunity to spread awareness about what the group does.

Its statement of purpose is that it gives every man the very best opportunity at a true second chance. When a man is released from state prison, someone with Prisoners of Christ picks him up at a bus stop. He's placed in a home and begins an orientation to learn skills to find a job.

"They have a safe environment in one of our homes; we have five and have a capacity of 24 men at this time. And once they're in our homes and once they're in a routine, they become a part of a big family overseen by men who have made this walk successfully before them," said McCoy.

McCoy said not only is Prisoners of Christ beneficial to the men who participate in the program, but it also reduces the chance of them committing any more crimes, which in turn is good for the community.