“It’s really about relationship building,” explains Coleman, with a ready smile. “Sixty percent of the population in the Sheridan prison is from the Chicago area. Some are ready for change, and some aren’t. About 80% of ex-offenders from Sheridan come to our offices.” Most are African-American, like himself.

“I work by teaching the job preparedness and training classes,” says Coleman. “I talk with every individual. I inform them of changes in their community during their incarceration and what services are available to them upon their release. They’re invited to our office after their release for whatever they need.”

Sheridan Prison uses the Gateway Foundation and the Safer Foundation to assist inmates with developing social, life and job skills while they are incarcerated, but the role of the community in providing an infrastructure for the returning inmates cannot be minimized. Coleman has witnessed miracles happen through CSAC’s Overcomers group meetings. “The meetings are faith-based; and all are welcome,” says Coleman. “When I started the meetings in 2004, I wanted to teach from the Bible, but that’s not what God wanted. People needed to talk…to understand that the power to change was within themselves. It’s just awesome to see how people are beginning to understand their own capacity through their own faith.”

Coleman reflects on the progress of CSAC over the past two years with satisfaction. “We’ve made a great difference. About 60% of the Austin’s residents are directly impacted by someone in their family who has been incarcerated.” Yet the impact of the change is difficult to measure. He relates a story of a young girl, who considered suicide while her father was incarcerated. Through the support from the CSAC’s Overcomers meetings, she gained hope and strength to overcome her suicidal thoughts, and now attends meetings with her father at her side.