Volunteer Opportunity!
Bridges To Life needs volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of both prison inmates and victims of crime. You can help! Find out more about how you can join the Bridges to Life volunteer team.
News Articles
Numerous articles have been published about the unique work of Bridges to Life in both local and national publications.
2008 Awards
Jim Buffington and Brandon Willard receive 2008 Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards
John Sage is recipient of HYLA Liberty Bell Award and was inducted into the St. Thomas Hall of Honor.
Bridges to Life Highlights
Awards
Bridges To Life has been recognized for its many contributions and has been the subject of numerous articles and television reports including:
In 2000, the Texas Corrections Association chose Bridges To Life as an Exemplary Program for Texas. In 2003, Bridges to Life received the Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse Conference Program of the Year Award, and was also a Finalist for the NFL Community Quarterback Award. In 2004, John Sage was selected as the recipient of the Social Entrepreneurship Award given by the Manhattan Institute in New York City that recognizes not only the founder but also the achievements of Bridges To Life. In the years 2001 to 2008, a Bridges to Life volunteer has been Recipient of a Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Award. John Sage is the recipient of the 2008 Liberty Bell Award, given by the Houston Young Lawyer’s Association.
Articles
- Guideposts
- Houston Chronicle
- Greater Houston Weekly
- Dallas Morning News
- Beaumont Enterprise
- The Arizona Republic
- Mosaic newspaper
- Faith Works magazine
- Restorative Justice News
- Offender Substance Abuse Report and various other victim advocate
- Texas Mediator
- Crime Victims Report
- Psychology Today
- Baton Rouge Advocate
- Houston Weekly
- Daily Texan
- Chautauquan Daily
- Prison ministry
- Restorative justice publications
Books
The Bridges To Life program and volunteers have been given significant recognition in three books published in 2004:
Restoring Peace: Using Lessons From Prison to Mend Broken Relationships
by Kirk Blackard, a Bridges To Life volunteer
Bone To Pick: Of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Reparation, and Revenge
by Ellis Cose, a Newsweek writer and author of several best sellers
Equipping the Street Saints: Renewing America's Cities
by Barbara Elliott.
TV News Features
- Houston – Channel 2 (NBC), Channel 11 (CBS), Channel 13 (ABC), Channel 8 (PBS)
- Tyler – Channel 56 (NBC)
- Channel 7 (ABC)
- Austin – Channel 24 (ABC)
- Beaumont – Channel 6 (CBS)
Bridges to Life Book
Restoring Peace – Using Lessons From Prison to Mend Broken Relationships details the principles used in the Bridges To Life program, combined with actual stories from victim and inmate participants. The book is intended for repairing or improving relationships with others.
Inmate Comments
“The best part about this program is the small group setting which allows both victim and inmate to be open and honest with one another and the trust, confidence that is built through these groups.”