LOU Mercy Re-entry Ministries, Inc.
Rebuilding Lives and Ties to the Community
L-O-U Mercy Re-entry Ministries provides 6 months of safe, structured, supervised environment, as well as spiritual guidance, employment counseling, job placement, financial management assistance, and other programs and services. LOUMRM helps newly released (6 months or less) Lafayette County ex-offenders gradually rebuild their ties to the community and successfully become productive citizens. LOUMRM has been reducing prison recidivism and rebuilding lives in Oxford and Lafayette County since March 2016.
LOUMRM is committed to helping Lafayette County residents successfully transition from being evicted from their homes to stable housing as well.
I'm most proud of the blessings that God has bestowed upon me, in my life. He's given me the vision to truly see that you can fall down, but you can still get back up. Hopefully I'll learn from my mistakes and have the opportunity to strengthen and improve the next thing I do.
Martin Lawrence
About
LOUMRM is a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has identified an emerging crisis due to the release of ex-offenders or people convicted of a crime back to the community with no way of sustaining themselves. LOUMRM see an urgent need for a program like this one designed to help ex-offenders successfully re-enter the community and local workforce.
LOUMRM provides temporary/transitional housing up to 30 days, food, spiritual counseling, job placement, financial management, mental health assistance and other programs for displaced Lafayette County residents as well. This corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes.
Meet Our Team
Alex Karaberis
President
James Doss
Volunteer Coordinator
Terry Hilliard
Secretary/Treasurer
Lonnie Applewhite
Project Manager
Activities
Making A Difference
According to U.S. Department of Justice-Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mississippi has an incarceration rate at or above 650 per 100,000 residents. MS is second only to Louisiana in incarceration rates. Today, the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any other country in the world, with over 1.5 million men and women living behind bars. We need to consider alternatives to incarceration. LOUMRM is in the business of changing and shaping lives. This Non-Profit Organization is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of our society’s biggest challenges. We make sure our partners are empowered by creating opportunities for individuals and communities as well.
The risk of eviction worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. HUD’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey for Week 31 (May 26 – June 7, 2021) found 7.11 million renter households were behind on their rent. It also found 1.19 million households reported eviction was “very likely” in the next two months. The high rates of evictions have significant long-term consequences, particularly among children. Eviction has been linked to homelessness, substandard housing conditions, job instability, school instability, and depression. An eviction record can negatively affect credit and future housing options as well. A simple comparison suggests missed rent payments and risk of eviction worsened during 2022. These trends, together with the affordable housing shortage here in Oxford also have caused a rise in evictions and homelessness here in Lafayette County as well. LOUMRM is committed to helping families and individuals successfully transition from being evicted from their homes and other temporary homelessness mishaps to stable housing.
Housing
Injustices come in many forms. When an ex-offender is released from prison after 25 years behind bars, with only the clothes on his back and has no way to get home or begin a new life, this is an injustice within itself. Many inmates leave prison into a state of homelessness.The approximate "living wage" for a single person in MS is approximately $24,000 per year. A person can be employed full time and not remotely earn enough money to pay even close to most area rents. It is even more difficult with the ex-con stigmas that ex-offenders face. With our organization’s mission always in mind, we strive to find new strategies for dealing with this challenge. Homeless Outreach is something that we take very seriously, and our team is working each and every day to make a positive impact. Contact us to learn more about our commitment to this cause.
Employment
According to MS Department of Corrections, 33% of convicted felons in MS who are released end up back in the system. A big factor is many ex-offenders can't find jobs. LOUMRM leaders main initiative is aimed at reducing the cycle of recidivism for offenders. The Leaders have consolidated a list of area felon friendly employers, and will serve as liaison between employee and employer.
Founder/Executive Director
Making Change Possible
I am a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a BPA degree majoring in criminal justice. I have been blessed to have had careers in general business management and supervision most of my adult life. I am a former Commissioned Air Force Officer as well. I currently serve as an Oxford Affordable Housing Commissioner; I am a Weekly Community Volunteer, a Marshal County Correctional Facility Volunteer Advisory Councilman, and I am a local congregation Elder. It just hurts my heart to see young women and children living out of cars and off the street. LOUMRM is working hard to reduce homelessness in Lafayette County and need your support. 501(c)3 $mercyreentry, P.O. Box 2097 Oxford, MS
Services
Service
Employment Assistance
Service
Spirtual Guidance
Service
Assist Medical/Mental Health Care
