RAPID CITY, S.D. – A faith-based nonprofit ministry’s transitional facility in Rapid City for women coming out of prison has applied for Rapid City Vision Fund consideration due to an expanded need for housing.
Nationally, 68-percent of women in prison who are addicted to either drugs or alcohol return to prison within five years. The facility in Rapid City, known as Passages, has documented a rate of return to prison in the same time frame, at half the national average.
According to Don Van Etten, Chairman of the Board of Passages, there is a long waiting list of women coming from prison, drug court, the Cornerstone Mission and the Care Campus. With so many women on the waiting list, Passages has embarked on a $1 million dollar, 6,000 square foot new facility.
Etten says the organization is seeking $150,000 in Vision Funds to refurbish the current home located on East Quincy Street that now provides services for five women. The revamped facility will house 14 women.
During their transition through Passages, women work and attend addiction support programs daily during the six months in the program. Residents are asked to attend church and a bible study in an effort to build connections in the community.
Costs related to the Passages facilities are paid through community donations and assistance from Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The City of Rapid City has also helped by providing the Denver Street lot where the new construction is taking place.
