Developing Character

True Freedom Ministries hosted a luncheon for 10 inmates at Grafton Reintegration Center.  These men were recognized for completion of the Global Priority Solutions 40-hour Values-Based Leadership Course known as Character Development.  This course, which is facilitated by True Freedom volunteers Bill Holko and Tom Spernoga, meets each Monday.  It is based on the Book of Proverbs and focuses on values such as hard work, honesty, humility, generosity, responsibility and a host of others.  

The men enrolled in the Character Development class consistently express how meaningful it is for them.  William Ferrell shared that the course reminded him “of the qualities required to live as an honorable and righteous man.”  He said it brought him “joy to realize how many people with integrity had been instrumental in nourishing who I have become.”

Another attendee, Demetrius Robbins, was thankful for the class and the chance it gave him for personal reflection on the totality of his life.  He shared: “Every module we went over had bits and pieces of my story.  If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”  Demetrius admitted to the mistakes he had made but is now grateful for the “opportunity to try and correct them with the help of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.”

Steve Bittel shared that the class was “impactful for multiple reasons.”  He went on to say that it “reinforced behaviors we all know, but rarely take time to think about,” and that the class “provided the opportunity to share our own experiences with other men in a safe setting.”  Steve expressed that “the men were able to see character in the example set by their instructors, who treated them as equals, always seeing the potential, not the past.”