Our Brother’s Keepers

Unshackled Ministries Keeps Focus On Helping Returning Citizens Get Back Into Society

By Raoul Dennis

They are part of a quiet network of people who rarely step into the spotlight because, they say, that’s not where their mission calls them to be.

They are in the streets – beneath the overpasses, along the tunnels, near the smallest soup kitchens and food pantries. They are there when people who are returning from incarceration with little or no money and tough chances of finding a job to address that.

That’s where people like Rev. Dr. Carl Felton who leads Unshackled Ministries, Inc., step into the light. Unshackled Ministries works to aid former incarcerated men and women as they come back to their communities.

Unshackled Ministries held an open house Dec. 16 in Largo. In keeping with the spirit of the season, the food catered by M&M Restaurant, Christmas with The Temptations provided by DJ Glam and the Christmas tree trimmed in silver sparkle were all well and good, but it was all an opening to do the Lord’s work---and to get more people involved with it.

“We receive men and women from Prince George’s County Department of Corrections and persons who have served time in other facilities and provide services for them to get back on their feet,” Felton says. “We provide job readiness, GED prep, parenting classes, HIV/AIDS education, computer training and anger management.”

He says they “look for the opportunity to partner with other ministries that we may fulfill God’s purpose and plan for our lives.”

To that end, two other ministries were present including “Extended Hands,” a non-profit outreach ministry that goes into the streets to bring those in need in to get food, clothes, and shelter – if they want.

“We try to give them things that they can feel good about themselves, being clean. And then they go back out and then they’re better,” says co-Pastor Sturdivant. “We find that they heal from the inside, the outside just comes easy.”

The work of Malveaux & Malveaux, Ltd. takes place in contrast to Unshackled Ministries in working with young people who may be troubled and facing the possibility of incarceration.

“We try to head it off before it happens,” said Murray Malveaux.

“There are people in prison who were convicted for marijuana when they were young men and now they are in their fifties and they’re still there,” affirmed Carol Malveaux. “The cycle of politics come and go, they have heard it all year in and year out and they don’t get the chance to get out from under. We have to reach them before they are in that system.”

Morse Hall, a deacon at Expectation Ministries, which aims to aid men in getting back on track after prison, took to the podium and went to church.

Commissioner Cynthia Miller receives an award of recognition from Rev. Dr. Carl Felton. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

“Too many men don’t know who they are and what their role is,” Hall said. “We need to help them to find the path they belong on and where they belong in His service.”

County Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 5) was among several notables who attended the event. She stressed the importance of educating returning citizens who may have a tough time finishing work to consider entrepreneurial options. “If no one will hire you, you should consider hiring yourself,” Ivey said. I believe in giving people the tools they need to get started.”

Prince George’s County States Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Charles O’Neal of the office of the county executive were also a part of the evening.

Cynthia Miller, a Ward 1 commissioner in District Heights, was given a recognition award by the Unshackled Ministries.