Why Currently Incarcerated Individuals Are the Best Individuals to Provide Reentry Services
In this article, we will explore why currently incarcerated individuals are the best individuals to provide reentry services.
top of page
What is Filthy Rags Outreach?
Filthy Rags Outreach is doing our best to prevent and intervene in gang violence in vulnerable communities. By engaging with current and former gang members of all ages and those from the street life, we aim to challenge their criminal mindset while providing them access to invaluable skills they need for a brighter future. Our vision is that these young adults can break out of an endless cycle by making meaningful change within themselves - so they may make an impactful difference within their communities!
Filthy Rags Outreach is also dedicated to providing ongoing support for people whose lives have been deeply affected by incarceration. Our mission goes beyond just helping with the transition back into society, but encompasses a holistic approach of caring for person’s mental, spiritual, and emotional needs in order to create truly transformational changes that break the recidivism cycle. Working together, we can empower individuals and communities to walk towards true freedom!
Ready to make a difference? Together, let's empower our communities for the better! By partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation - your contribution will go far in supporting those who need it most. Click HERE for all the details and be sure to check out our donation page by clicking HERE.
Why do you call yourselves "Filthy Rags"?
The term Filthy Rags comes from the Bible verse Isaiah 64:6 which says, "...all our righteousness are as filthy rags, and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away."
Being former gang members who represented different color "rags" ourselves, we knew that people that come from that walk of life could identify with the rags, so we used the bandannas to target and attract the people that come from our walk of life with the hope of affecting change in their lives.
We take our lesson from one of the greatest evangelist that ever did it,
the Apostle Paul, who said, "I have become all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some."
We have been called us to reach out to gang members and those who come from the street life.
Gangs, Guns, Drugs...
Despite the alarming rise in gang and gun violence, Filthy Rags Outreach is determined to make a difference by providing youth at risk of joining gangs with support. As Seattle experiences its highest rate of gunfire incidents in 10 years, Tacoma sees homicides double within just six months - there's never been more urgency for outreach interventions that hope to reduce the number of lives lost due to senseless conflict.
Filthy Rags Outreach brings together a group of passionate and dedicated mentors, who all come from the very street lifestyle they are now determined to help fight. They work hard towards their goal - inspiring young BIPOC men around them by demonstrating that it is possible to overcome false realities associated with gangs and streets. With a deep understanding of our mentees’ lives, Filthy Rags mentors build relationships meeting people wherever they are on their journey and empowering individuals along the way!
Filthy Rags Outreach also utilizes our R.A.G.S Youth program to provide life-changing opportunities for at-risk BIPOC youth to break the cycle of poverty and despair, find their true potential, and create proudly enriching lives beyond temporary stability or survival. Our mentors guide these young people away from walking down corridors full of fear & darkness towards a future illuminated by possibility, hope, ambition & personal success! Together we are helping youth rewrite history; discovering that no obstacle is too high when you have strength within yourself. We offer supportive guidance through adversities, which can enable each individual's beautiful journey ahead!
HOME
PEER COUNSELING AND MENTORSHIP
​
​
Filthy Rags Outreach understands that breaking the cycle of crime starts with support and guidance. That's why they pair each client up with a dedicated peer mentor, allowing them to benefit from trusted aid by someone who has been in their shoes before! In addition, Breaking the Chains and Bridging the Gap meetings are held - just like those within prison walls- giving attendees an opportunity for transformation through exposing false realities perpetuated by criminal or gang culture so lasting change can be realized.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
​
​
We are proud to have partnered with For The Culture Counseling Services, who provide comprehensive substance use disorder assessments and treatment as well as referrals for mental health services. Their team of skilled therapists is proficient in trauma informed practices and culturally competent care that help bring healing not only to individuals, but also their families - a true culture-wide wellbeing approach!
Check out For The Culture's website to see their vision, mission, and core values by clicking HERE.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
​
​
At Filthy Rags Outreach, we are reimagining the way individuals transitioning from prison can prepare for their professional journey. Our goal is to create a supportive and empowering environment that equips our participants with confidence as they seek out successful opportunities within the workforce. From job-readiness services, re-entry fairs and programs inside or outside of the prison system; providing interview apparel to resume support & mock interviews – no stone is left unturned in terms of what’s necessary for our population's success! We even collaborate with employers who not only welcome but value talent regardless of criminal backgrounds - proving how committed we both strive towards rebuilding lives through meaningful employment & personal growth.
R.A.G.S. YOUTH
PROGRAM
​
Music has a power to influence and shape cultures, mindsets and lifestyles - especially in our community; and Filthy Rags Outreach’s R.A.G.S. (Radical Actions Guarantee Success) program is harnessing its power to give at-risk youth in our community the tools they need for positive living as well as lessons from the lyrics on relationships, hustle / entrepreneurship and creating your legacy! By utilizing the songs & lyrics available from influential musical artists who have inspired this demographic most deeply... we strive not only to educate but empower them with newfound perspective towards hope-filled possibilities ahead - creating legacies for themselves that will last much longer than any single song ever could!
RE-ENTRY CASE MANAGEMENT
​
​
Our team of peer counselors and case managers are dedicated to helping individuals overcome any barriers that stand in their way. Using trauma-informed motivational interviewing, our initial intake builds each unique individual a comprehensive casework plan tailored to meet the needs most important for success - from housing assistance and stabilizing documents, down to employment opportunities or even nutrition support! Our partnership network helps ensure no one is ever without access resources essential towards independence.
Blogs
blog@filthyragsoutreach.org
Donations/Sponsorships
donate@filthyragsoutreach.org
Media Relations
media@filthyragsoutreach.org
Re-Entry
reentry@filthyragsoutreach.org
Youth
youth@filthyragsoutreach.org
Podcasts
podcast@filthyragsoutreach.org
Mailing Address:
Filthy Rags Outreach
PO Box 4811
Federal Way, WA 98063-4811
Phone:
(253) 250-9687
General Inquiries:
info@filthyragsoutreach.org
Social Media Links:
.png)
Alphonso Bell
Founder
Charles Champion
Co-Founder/
president
Davven Holmes-Davenport
VICE-PRESIDENT
Jessica Justice
Director
of Operations
Julius-Caesar Robinson
Community Engagement director
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |
Click Image Above to Join via ZOOM
Click Images Below to listen on alternate platforms
“How beautiful are the feet
of those who preach the gospel
of peace..."
Romans 10:15
Our strength is amplified with collective action, and you can help make a difference with FILTHY RAGS OUTREACH right now! The support we receive is a huge driver of the good work we do in addressing some of society’s most challenging problems. Get in touch today and join our community in making a lasting impact.
We are in need of volunteers to donate their time, as well as monetary sponsorship. Give us a call! We would LOVE to have you join us in making a lasting impact in our community!
How YOU can help Filthy Rags Outreach:
​
1) SUBSCRIBE - Subscribe to our BLOGS as well as our mailing list to get notified when we post new blogs.
​
2) SPONSOR A MEETING - Each peer group meeting we put on costs around $100 dollars. These meetings are where at-risk youth and young adults come and share their experiences in a safe place with other youth and young adults to lean on for support. Our mentors teach them the tools they need to help jump start change in their lives.
​
3) SHARE OUR CONTENT - Like us on our social media pages and share our content with your friends. Post reviews on our social media and podcast platforms.
​
4) VOLUNTEER - We have a lot of tasks we need help with, both virtual and in-person:
Grant writing & research, website maintenance, social media, marketing, administrative, podcast editing, peer mentorship, networking, and more! Reach out to us!
​
5) SHARE YOUR STORY - Reach out! We can all learn from each other's past mistakes and mishaps. Share your story with FRO and help a young person shorten their own learning curve.
Email podcast@filthyragsoutreach.org to be a guest on our podcast.
​
6) DONATE - Filthy Rags Outreach has been primarily funded by our own board members. We have been plugging away for over 4 years without outside financial contributions; however, we would be able to do SO much more with some real financial backing. Donate once, or donate monthly. We are passionate about the work we do, and will honor your contribution by doing our best to make an impact in the lives of the at-risk youth and young adults in our communities.
Since we are a 501 (c) (3), your donation is tax deductible. If you need a donation receipt, please reach out to us at admin@filthyragsoutreach.org
bottom of page