F5 Project December Update

Tons of updates!

Currently we are having an average of 45 inmates coming to the Wednesday night meeting held by F5. We started with only 7 at the first meeting! In our weekly meetings we focus on topics such as failure, fear and shame. The speakers have become very transparent about their lives and it is building trust with the inmates, which in turn creates transparency and reliability for them. What I have found the most interesting in these meetings isn't the response the inmates have, but the volunteers realization that we are all the same. "The only difference between you and I is a few decisions" -Erik Hatch of Hatch Realty. The social skills of these guys are amazing, not too many people can say they've had to give a "presentation" to a judge and 12 jurors. In my opinion, these are the same skills I use when I'm trying to bring a new technology product to market.

F5 had its first board meeting on Friday and elected Jodi Satkunam from Bank of the West as Treasurer, Jake Joraanstad from Myriad Mobile to Secretary and myself as President. We also approved considering a few additional board members, Kari Schultz and MacDalton Berns from Absolute Marketing.  

We are building up strategic partnerships in the community. Our focus is to make sure when inmates leave they have the resources they need to be successful. Communications, housing, employment, clothing and healthy socialization. There are many companies both non-profit and for-profit that have stepped up to help in each one of these pillars. 

F5 is also in the process of building a curriculum to help with both soft and hard skills they can bring to the table when the re-enter society. We will break the cycle of recidivism for the committed individuals who want to change their lives. 

We are in the process of starting a meeting for women in Cass County Jail and a new meeting in the Clay County Jail as well. 

Website should be up and running soon!

There are so many things on the table currently, but none are for sure yet, so as they come along I will keep you updated. The next email will focus on some of the short term success we've seen.