Programmed for Success.

Reentry programs that work: For decades, Wayside Cross Ministries’ New Life Corrections division and our transitional housing program have proven Christian reentry programs work. In story after story, residents in our comprehensive Bible-based reentry program share how through giving their lives to Christ, they have found success, independence, and a new sense of community that they’d previously thought completely out of reach. The result is a cut in recidivism of nearly 80% for those who finish our program — and the cost is completely free. Read how it impacted Chris’ life.

​

If you haven’t noticed, the world is full of distractions. Ones that would like nothing better than to pull you of your God-given destiny.  Chris was no exception.

As the only child of an Irish Sicilian family, Chris grew up in a Christian home just outside Chicago. By all accounts, he came from a good family. His educational aptitude was quickly recognized in school, and he ended up early on in a program for gifted children.

But something was missing.

Like many we serve at Wayside, Chris struggled with attention deficit disorder (ADD), and soon his academic success took a back seat to recreational drug use. For many just like Chris, it seemed to help balance mood swings and his drifting attention span.

It was the first time Chris felt as if he was normal compared to others in school. He began to slow down and connect, which seemed to help him focus on conversations and his studies.

Later, after graduation, Chris would find success in his 20’s, and by that time, he even had a girlfriend. But casual drug use eventually gave way to a more severe drug problem, cocaine.

Eventually, he realized he didn’t have the money to support his growing habit. But that was not God’s plan for his life.

“I am the Lord your God and there is no other; besides me there is no God. I equip you, though you do not know me.” ~ Isaiah 45:5

“My addiction led me down some dark paths, and I started doing some things that weren’t in my character of upbringing.” Those choices eventually landed Chris in front of a judge. “It was really tough for my parents to take, especially my dad, who worked in local law enforcement.” At first, his parents attended the hearings in a show of support. But at trial, as the evidence began to mount, they eventually just stopped coming. “Those were the toughest days of my life…or so I thought. But prison life became the darkest time of all,” as Chris recalls. “The cells were designed to face each other in a circle to eliminate the sense of privacy. It proved increasingly difficult as inmates all around you were having psychotic episodes. It was easy to feel trapped in your own despair while trying to cope with the anguish and anxiety of others. Eventually, you just learn to adjust and detach. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to be transferred to Dixon. There I was also lucky to get assigned to work details and take classes when other guys chose to play cards and lift weights just to pass the time.” In Dixon prison, Chris discovered he had a knack for data engineering and coding.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~Ephesians 2:10

Still, his faith in God was never very far. “I had questions and started talking with others from different religions. But none of them seemed to answer my search for truth, except for the hope I found in Christ. If He could rescue others in prison, maybe he could rescue me?” During that time, he met our Senior Chaplain, Steve Madawick on one of his frequent visits to the prison.

He began to believe God had a better plan for him.

That’s when he heard about Wayside Cross Ministries.

Chris came to Wayside’s Master’s Touch program from Dixon Prison. While at Dixon, he was fortunate to be trained in coding and computer programming. Before his arrest and incarderation, he was headed toward death. But as he sees it today, Chris says, “God consistently blessed and watched over me during my time at Dixon.”

“Coming to Wayside was like coming to faith. I knew I needed structure from my time in prison. But I had lost faith in God and in myself. “Prison reintroduced me to Christ and that he could work on the inside of me to make more than I would believe for myself.”

      Chris says Wayside offered both of those things, structure and a real, faith-based program centered in Jesus Christ. What he didn’t expect was that God also had a plan too.

Literally, the very day Chris walked through the doors at Wayside, he was introduced to a guy named Steve Mooney, who was also there recovering from addiction. Steve happened to be a gifted Data Scientist.

“Come on, what are the odds of that?” Chris declared

The two struck up an immediate friendship. Over time, Chris increased his coding and data management skills. He was also able to use Wayside Cross’ learning center to add more certifications. With Steve’s encouragement and client contacts, Chris began exploring a coding career as a data engineer.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” ~ Psalm 138:8

Chris’ mentors, Mike McCann and Randy Johnson, were instrumental in helping him focus on his recovery and spiritual growth. “They both helped me see myself the way Christ does, redeemed, restored, and created for a greater purpose.” “Randy helped me to develop a personal mission statement, too. His business experience is vast, and he became a great sounding board for developing a plan for employment.” Chris’ relationship with Steve Mooney grew too. He was able to leverage some of Steve’s business contacts to build an independent contractor relationship as he began to search for work. Going through the Master’s Touch program helped to ground Chris in his relationship with God. After graduating, Chris began working for Hope Analytics.

Chris’ mentors, Mike McCann and Randy Johnson, were instrumental in helping him focus on his recovery and spiritual growth. “They both helped me see myself the way Christ does, redeemed, restored, and created for a greater purpose.”

“Randy helped me to develop a personal mission statement, too. His business experience is vast, and he became a great sounding board for developing a plan for employment.” Chris’ relationship with Steve Mooney grew too. He was able to leverage some of Steve’s business contacts to build an independent contractor relationship as he began to search for work.

Going through the Master’s Touch program helped to ground Chris in his relationship with God. After graduating, Chris began working for Hope Analytics.

“Without a college degree and no real-world experience in data engineering and software programming, God provided this job for me. Once again, like he’d done many times before, God proved my outlook on life was completely wrong.” 

At that moment, Chris realized how real Proverbs 3:5-6 is: that we need to trust God in everything.

Steve Madawick, our Senior Chaplain, says: “It has been fun the last year and a half to work with Chris and see him blossom in this new job after graduating from Master’s Touch.” Today, Chris is a faithful servant here at Wayside. He helps many residents and staff with the wisdom and resources God has given him. “Most days, I feel utterly and completely unworthy of these blessings. I realize now God gave me these gifts for a reason, and it’s beyond all my understanding,” replies Chris

“Without a college degree and no real-world experience in data engineering and software programming, God provided this job for me. Once again, like he’d done many times before, God proved my outlook on life was completely wrong.”  At that moment, Chris realized how real Proverbs 3:5-6 is: that we need to trust God in everything.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” ~ Philippians 1:6

“One of the unique things about Wayside’s Bible-based recovery and transitional housing program is that you can continue to stay for up to two years while you work and save your paycheck.” Chris took full advantage of that, and he was able to work, even during COVID, because he could work remotely from his own room. “Wayside made special accommodations that have put me miles ahead in my career and life.”

Training for the mind and the body. “Wayside also has a gym and work training program that requires you to give back to the ministry as a resident assistant”. Chris was able to give back by encouraging new residents in the program to work through issues while connecting and finding solace in God’s abiding love.

“I owe it all to Christ and the way He led me to Wayside. He had a plan when I didn’t see a plan, and he made a way when I couldn’t see one for myself.” Chris also acknowledged the incredible role the donors and supporters play here.

“Wayside Cross is free. It transforms lives! I wouldn’t be who I am today without their support. They believed in me and hundreds just like me when even my own parents had given up. I hope one day to earn that back too.”  

Click to learn more about Wayside’s free transitional housing for men or transitional housing for women programs.  Or call  630-892-4239 and ask to speak with a resident coordinator.

Give Hope. Transform one more life today!

If you liked Chris’ story, you may enjoy these stories too.

Frequently Asked Questions From Ex-offenders

Where is Wayside Cross Ministries Main Campus located? Our main campus is located at 215 E New York St, Aurora, IL 60505. Click Here to open in Google Maps.

Who do you except? We except individual from the corrections system as well as the homeless, addicted and abuse who are looking for a a free Bible-based, structured housing, recovery and support system and the tools to rebuild their lives.

How long can you stay in their Transitional Housing Program? Program length varies base on individual needs. Successful Graduates from the Master’s Touch program can stay up to two years as they work and save their money for independent living.

Does Wayside Cross Provide Job Assistance? Yes. Residents access our free learning center to earn their GED and, brush up on job certifications, regain their driver’s license and social security card. The work program includes practical applications in warehouse management, retail, kitchen, construction, maintenance and more. In addition, residents work with individual mentors and our employment coordinator. Next, we have over 25 businesses that will hire residents in good standing.

Hear from one of our residents who shares how he spent nearly a lifetime in prison on the installment plan before coming to Wayside. MORE