City of Faith City of Faith is a federally contracted Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) based in Monroe, LA. The corporate office is located across the street from the original location, House 1. Each City of Faith facility is known in their local communities as a place of refuge for prisoners and for their outreach to those communities by prisoners and staff alike. City of Faith, or COF as it is commonly called, is utilized by both state and Federal governments as a contract work release program. City of Faith offers many careers that lead to jobs with other Federal agencies within the Department of Justice.
History City of Faith was originally founded as an opportunity for outreach to a forgotten demographic, prisoners. While these men and women serve out their punishments in state and federal institutions, time moves forward without them. They leave behind children, spouses, and careers.
Kathy Biedenharn, of City of Faith, opened the first City of Faith halfway house, or Community Correctional Center, in 1985 due to a conversation with an inmate in Louisiana State Prison. She asked him what she could do for him. With an attitude and a smirk on his face, he replied, "Find me a place to live and a good paying job." Since that time she has opened 8 facilities, 4 federal and 4 state. The federal locations can be found in Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, and Little Rock. City of Faith has state facilities in Monroe and Lafayette. The City of Faith corporate headquarters is located in Monroe, LA. Since 1993 City of Faith has maintained accreditation from the American Correctional Association as one of the largest and most successful providers of community corrections in the Southeast.
Facilities Each City of Faith location offers many accommodations such as weight lifting equipment, BBQ area, bed/bedding, limited storage space, 3 meals/day, aftercare treatment, pay phones, career counseling, transportation (facility and local), vending machines, cable TV, and laundry facilities. Each location employees a full time Employment Placement Specialist to assist residents in their transition phase of employment. Each resident that resides in a City of Faith facility is expected to maintain their personal living quarters as well as the facility itself. This enables the residents to take prides in themselves by living in a clean environment. All COF facilities are wheelchair accessible except for COF-Shreveport. Those needing that kind of assistance reside in Monroe or Little Rock.
Monroe
The Monroe location is home to 5 halfway houses and the corporate office all located on Jackson Street. Four of these locations are used to house state inmates and one location is used exclusively for Federal inmates only (both housing men and woman). Each of these facilities hold a different quantity based on the current needs of operation. All the Monroe facilities are overseen by Deputy Executive Director Ricky Banks.
House 1 is the first facility operated by City of Faith. This facility, located in the old garden district of Monroe, was completely renovated and houses the State Administrative and Kitchen staff in addition to residents. House 2 is located across Jackson Street from House 1. Although, this house is the smallest of all the facilities, it is the most sought facility by the state residents. House 4 is the largest of the State facilities and is the housing unit for most new State residents assigned to City of Faith. This facility is an open barracks style dorm with a big screen tv. House 5 is located on Jackson Street and provides a quiet atmosphere for the residents that reside there. This facility includes a handicap room.
Lafayette
COF-Lafayette is located on the edge of the Bayou Vermillion. The current capacity of COF-Lafayette is 59, housing both state and Federal inmates (men and women). Many of the residents work in the hotel and oil industries. COF-Lafayette hosts the most beautiful landscaping of all the City of Faith properties. COF-Lafayette utilizes a barrack style for the resident quarters. Lafayette was also host to the 20th anniversary party for City of Faith in 2005. Guest included neighbors, families, residents, staff, and key personnel with City of Faith. The Lafayette facility is overseen by Deputy Executive Director Ricky Banks and employees a facility director, 2 case managers, program manager, chief of security, and other security personnel.
Shreveport
COF-Shreveport is located in the Bottoms of Shreveport, a neighborhood recently transformed by the city to encourage development. Since Hurricane Katrina, many film makers have relocated their sets from South Louisiana to Shreveport. This has enabled many of the residents of COF-Shreveport to find work in the movie industry. The COF-Shreveport building is listed on the National Historic House directory and has a capacity of 21 residents. Many of the residents find work in the food service and auto trade industries. COF-Shreveport utilizes a barrack style for the resident quarters. The Shreveport facility is overseen by Deputy Executive Director Terry Williams and employees a facility director, case manager, and security personnel.
Little Rock
The largest of all the COF facilities, COF-LR is located in the heart of Little Rock, AR. The only non-Louisiana COF facility, COF-LR residents are allowed to find work within an extended radius of the center, 150 miles. COF-LR is also the only Federal halfway house in Arkansas. Many of COF-LR’s residents find work in the food service and construction industries as well as sales. COF-LR has a capacity of 104 but normally operates with 85 residents in house. COF-LR is conveniently located near University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Little Rock facility is overseen by Deputy Executive Director Terry Williams and employees a facility director, 3 case managers, program manager, employment placement specialist, misc. administrative staff, chief of security, and other security personnel. COF-LR is the only City of Faith facility that does not have barrack style quarters for the residents, instead residents share rooms with 4-8 people.
Programs Under the various Federal and state contracts, each City of Faith location is required to offer and maintain certain programs for its' residents. Each location is required to continually screen residents for alcohol and drugs. Not only does this keep the residents accountable, but it protects the local communities. City of Faith residents are also required to attend a series of Life Skills and Parenting classes. The purpose of this program is to help residents integrate back into society with usable skills.
City of Faith Ministries
Outside of the Federal and state contracts, City of Faith operates as a ministry to their local communities and prisons. City of Faith was founded as a ministry opportunity towards prisoners and has remained one. Many of the residents get involved in the ministries opportunities by volunteering locally or participating in events hosted by City of Faith. A few of the opportunities include, Soul Patrol (a children's outreach program), clothing and food drives for children, Spring Fling (party for the local community), and various volunteer work. City of Faith presents a church service for local jails and prisons on a bimonthly basis. These prisoners are blessed with gifts and testimonials from former prisoners who have been in their shoes. City of Faith also hosts a yearly baptism ceremony for residents, staff, and staff/residents families.
I called the phone number zi had for your location in Lafayette Louisiana and they said that your phone had been disconnected.337-261-3345
Guest
2. 22-03-2010 21:16
I called a number for city of faith in lafayette louisiana and they say that the number has been disconnected how can I speak to someone about the possiblies of my son going there??
Guest
3. 01-06-2010 05:24
HI I WAS OVER LOOKING YOU ALL WEBSITE BECAUSE I HAVE A FIANCE THATS INCARCERATED AT ALLEN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND COMES HOME NEXT YR AND I WAS RESEARCHING WORK RELEASE FOR HIM WHAT R THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COF WHAT CRIMES WILL HINDER HIM FROM BEING EXCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM COULD COF BE SO KIND TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS I REALLY THANK U
Guest
4. 15-07-2010 23:04
I would like to know the first steps in getting placed at this facility. I have a love one thats current at the correctional facility in tallulah La. I would really appreciate any and all correspondence. Thanks,
Guest
5. 30-09-2010 03:57
I have a boyfriend thats in jail in dequincy,louisiana and i wanted to know how can i get him in the city of faith thats closer to me in Monroe,Louisiana. is there any chances that he can come.
Guest
6. 18-10-2010 02:09
please contact us! by phone or e-mail
Guest
7. 15-12-2010 21:29
Iam a felon on probation for 9 more months .I am trying to stay in the Monroe area with my probation officer. I am searching for a halfway house. Please contact me at 318-707-9117. I am a mother of 2 children and I would like to be able to see my children. sober living is important and working is too. iam a27 year old female.Please call asap if you have or know of any place that can help me.
Guest
8. 16-12-2010 13:43
please email me a number
Guest
9. 26-01-2011 01:04
Hello, I was wondering where would one go online to fill out for employment for City of Faith in Monroe LA?
Guest
10. 14-07-2011 13:41
yes my husband is in jail at hwy 15 i was wondring about him comin to cof.do yall have a website please
Guest
11. 21-07-2011 21:23
One of my pen pals asked me to check on some Christian Faith Safe Houses! Your's thus far sounds like the best in AR! Can you please give me some addresses so that I can pass this info onto her! Thank you very much! YSIC, Claudette
Guest
12. 28-07-2011 19:04
Im am writing for my son Jason Ducote who is currently a DOC prisoner in Marksville, Louisiana for a DWI He is eligible for work release September 7 2011. He would like to be accepted to your facility in Lafayette,Louisiana. Would u please email me the procedure to gain entry to your facility. Flapperiam1@aol.com Perhaps the application also. Thanking you. Hope to hear from you.
Guest
13. 31-07-2011 15:14
i have been trying to reach Mrs.Gwen Moss, regaurding my fiance Warrence Bennett. How could i go about getting him in your facility?? please contact me at, 318~547~1885 thnk you.
Guest
14. 12-08-2011 20:31
I'm writing for an inmate pen pal! Jeri Lansdown @760053 302 Correctionc Drive 16 BKS Newport, AR 72112 December 2011 she goes before the parole board! March 2012 She has to make parole and leave! She will go back on disability checks but can work especially helping others! She'd love to do that! Also she could do light work, part time! She's on meds for seizures and diabetes! She wants to get into touch with you by letter! The address I'm sending her is 1401 Garfield Drive Little Rock, AR 72204 "Is this your mailing address also?" Thank you for your assistance! Love, YSIC, Claudette
Guest
15. 14-09-2011 03:49
YES THERE IS A RUMOR THAT ALL THE HALFWAY HOUSES ARE CLOSED ONLY THE ONE LOCATED IN LAFAYETTE IS OPEN N HE WILL HVE TO GO THERE INSTEAD OF MONROE, THE REASON OF ASKIN IS THAT MY HUSBAND 13624-035 IS IN FEDERAL CUSTODY AND HOUSED IN BUTNER, NORTH CAROLINA AND SUPPOSE TO BE GOIN IN DECEMBER BUT HE IS ORINGINAL FRM SHREVEPORT WHERE HE WILL RESIDE. COULD U TELL IF THIS IS TRUE. AND HOW DOES THE PROCEDURES WORK. THANK YOU
Guest
16. 16-09-2011 13:27
Dear Mr./Ms.: I'm writing again for the same inmate! I gave her the info for your Little Rock location and the info I got from the Little Rock site! That is mainly what I asked for in my first email to you! She in turn wrote to you and is anxiously waiting to hear back! She now feels she "can" be released to your Little Rock location! We both were very impressed by what we read concerning what all you strive to do in your reentry program! I believe she can benefit by being there and that be an asset to you! She's a hard worker, attends courses and reads her Bible daily! We both will be looking forward to hear from you! Her name and address is: Jeri Lansdown #760053 302 Corrections Drive 16 BKS Newport, AR 72112 Thank you so much, May our Lord contiue to bless the wonderful work you are doing! Claudette Price, writing for Jeri Lansdown!
Guest
17. 30-10-2011 22:27
Hello, I have been praying to find a facility such as yours. I have a brother that's incarcarated and has been for 13 yrs. He has not once been in trouble in the system, and has been cleared for a halfway house. Could you please contact me and allow me to discuss if it is possible for him to become a resident in one of your facilities. Thank You and God Bless Thanks and God Bless
Guest
18. 23-12-2011 11:43
Hello, I've written 3 times and called once! This is for Jeri Lansdown who is an inmate in Newport, AR 72112 I was wrong on the dates I sent before! Jeri Lansdown #760053 needs acceptance letter by March 2012. That's when she's to make her parole plans! Then on December 2012 is when she goes in front of the parole board I pray to hear from you! I don't want to let her down!
