On the morning of October 21, more than 350 friends, partners, and supporters filled the Benton Convention Center for FJPM’s 11th Annual Fundraising Breakfast. It was a morning of good food, shared stories, and a room full of people who believe that everyone deserves a second chance.
Year after year, this breakfast reminds us that the work of restoration is never done alone. This year was no different, and in many ways, it was our most meaningful gathering yet.
Stories of restoration, told by the people living them
The program opened with music from Jon Wright, a resident at FJPM’s Restoration Center. Jon’s performance set the tone for the morning: hope, honesty, and the courage it takes to start again.
Jason Hawkins, our Transition to Work (TTW) Pre-Release Coordinator, shared about the TTW program. Jason spoke not only as a staff member but from his own lived experience. He knows firsthand what it means to walk the road from incarceration to a new life, and that perspective shapes how he walks alongside the men he serves today.
Holly Kessler, our Director of Community Engagement, sat down with Doug Lipford, a graduate of the TTW program. Their conversation gave everyone in the room a clear picture of what this work looks like in a real person’s life. Doug’s story is exactly why TTW exists, and we are so proud of him.
Big news: the Empowering Reentry campaign reached its goal
Executive Director Mark Hogsed shared exciting news with the room. With the approval of a new grant, the Empowering Reentry campaign for the Restoration Center has met its goal of $1.1 million. That milestone belongs to every person who gave, prayed, volunteered, and believed in this vision.
Thank you
We are grateful for every attendee, every donation, and every pledge made at this year’s breakfast. Your generosity helps us meet our goal for running the Transition to Work program, so more men like Doug can walk out of prison and into steady work, stable housing, and a future they can be proud of.
If you weren’t able to join us, it’s not too late to be part of the story. Your gift today helps keep the TTW program running strong in the year ahead.
Thank you for standing with FJPM. We’ll see you next year!
Thanks to all our sponsors and table captains!
- Farm Bureau
- Janet & Keith Huskins
- The Budd Group
- Osprey Capital, LLC
- Two Cities Church
- Chris Lyon
- The Robinson Private Client Group
- Cathy & Ray Owen
- Trudy & Gary Elkins
- Truist
- JDL Castle
- Fleet Feet
- Kilpatrick
- River Oaks Community Church
- Wynn Tanner & Michael Robinson
- Sarah & Russell Talley
- First Baptist Church – Highland
- Garner Foods Foundation
- Twin City Kiwanis
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- Hope Church
- Augsburg Lutheran Church
- Novant Health
- Dairi-O
- Dr. Charles Turner
- Alice & Miller Allen
- Emmaus Road Partners
- Carey & Ralph D’Agostino
- Community Bible Church
- Freedom Creative Solutions
- Ardmore Baptist Church
- Ardmore United Methodist Church
- Bud & Zanne Baker
- Elaine & Scott Bauer
- Carolina Kitchen Repair
- Patricia & Bart Coan
- Highland Presbyterian Church
- Regina & James Jenkins
- Nola & Paul Knouse
- Danielle & Michael Lamphier
- Megan & Tom Lawson
- Karen & Terry Lefler
- Duane Long
- Will Morgan
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church
- Neal & Neal Accounting
- New Canaan Society
- New Philadelphia Moravian Church
- NC Mobile Refrigeration
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Psi Phi Chapter - Clyde Parker
- Brooke & Brad Preslar
- Revelations of Faith
- Rotary Club of Winston-Salem
- St. Peter’s World Outreach Center
- Talking and Walking Christian
Men’s Ministry - Larry H. Watlington
