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OUR BLOG
Hear it from the heart. Every week or so, we publish a story about the life of our ministry. All names are fictionalized to protect the identity of those inside. Thanks for reading!
All Posts
"Jesus gave me this book to read to you today."
Here’s a short story about Ash and how HeartBound’s Little Readers is changing lives. “Ash” is the mother of two young boys; she is...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
"Thank you for talking with me. I feel very happy. I haven't felt that here."
While leading a Project A.R.T. class at Rockdale RYDC, I met a boy called “Lee.” He was very reserved and quiet, keeping to himself as...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
2,500 Opportunities to Share the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hear how Chaplain John is making a difference in the lives of incarcerated children. “Jay” has been incarcerated at Metro RYDC for 14...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
A Message from Christmas 2022
Literacy is a major challenge within our correctional institutions. The average inmate reads at a sixth-grade level. For many inmates,...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20235 min read
A Perfect Day in Prison
Every so often, you get a perfect day in prison. On Tuesday, all was quiet when I pulled into Burruss Correctional Training Center....
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20233 min read
"I was a cynic at heart back then."
Incarceration creates physical, mental, and emotional barriers among families. Trying to parent from within prison walls can be extremely...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20231 min read
Mining for Gold
We are in the middle of grant-writing season which, for those unfamiliar with the world of nonprofits, means looming deadlines and hours...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20233 min read
Sowing Seeds and Planting Life in Prison
Our first section of the horticulture program, Introduction to Horticulture, is quickly coming to a close and before our exam on Tuesday,...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
The Power of Learning in Prison
As soon as Demarcus walked through the classroom door, I knew we were in for an eventful class. He had just been released from...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
A Moment of Peace in Prison
Sometimes, I like to imagine the Garden of Eden in all its splendor and glory. Did it look like the rainforests of Costa Rica, full of...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
Finding Light In the Darkness of Prison
The strangest thing happened on Tuesday during our horticulture class final exam at Burruss Correctional Training Center. I challenged...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
Returning Hearts 2023 Recap
Here's one volunteer's experience at HeartBound's 2023 Returning Hearts Celebration. Thank you to everyone who supported this incredible...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
Returning To Prison... To Volunteer For Returning Hearts!
"Breaking the bondage of a dull existence" at Returning Hearts. Hear how one formerly incarcerated volunteer willingly chose to return to...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
"I Can Stay Away From Having To Hustle On The Streets."
"The most important thing is I have witnessed the remarkable powers of GOD!" See how Project ART (Art to Rehabilitate and Teach) is...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
"We Are Human Beings Worthy Of Another Chance."
The heart of what we do is written in the very fabric of our name, HeartBound. We are reaching hearts bound by prison walls. You see a...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20233 min read
My Mom, The "Prison Lady"
"To love and invest in a group of women who you have never met, women that society has determined are not fit, speaks volumes of your...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
Beekeeping In Prison
From Bad Behavior to Beekeeping You may ask, “Why does HeartBound have a beekeeping program?” That’s a legitimate question. Neither...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20233 min read
"If You Can Avoid Seeking The Approval Of Others, Your Power Is Limitless." Wisdom From Within.
I wasn’t prepared for what I would see that day. You see, I grew up going to prisons. I had walked down death row, even seen the...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20233 min read
"I Can Do Anything Through God."
I would like to share with you the words of one of our creative writing students at Coastal State Prison. On a recent questionnaire, we...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20231 min read
Using Creative Writing to Heal Within Prison
The Enemy’s Lies or God’s Truths “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has...
Andrea Shelton
Oct 19, 20232 min read
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