August 2026 Newsletter
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” ~Proverbs 16:24
Paula’s Perspective
Greetings!
It has been a busy and productive summer for Tangible Hope Ministries. Putting it in writing helps me to see that only God could make this possible!
Our lead class instructor and I participated in the CMCA conference at the Billy Graham Center in Chicago in May. This brought in a lot of inquiries, connections, and honestly a recharge that our whole team felt so blessed to receive. One exciting opportunity that grew out of the conference was a 30-minute radio interview with WPEO in Illinois. The interview will air in September and will give us the opportunity to share how God is working through Tangible Hope Ministries. Listen at WPEO Radio: https://www.wpeo.com.
The Hive To Thrive program with the Northern Kent County Juvenile Detention Center began in June. I visited the hive a few weeks ago with the instructor and KCJDC students, and it is thriving! There are a lot of life lessons in bee activity!
Our Living Forward program Monday class moved to Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church on MLK Blvd. in Grand Rapids. We saw our program grow from 7-8 participants to 18-20. We also partnered with Redeemed Style in Grandville, MI to provide our female Living Forward participants with free clothing, haircuts, and makeovers!
The 8-week pilot program we ran in partnership with Paula Jauch (Break The Cycle) and the KCJDC finished up last week. The impact her teaching had on the kids was life-changing. More to follow on that later!
We have shared our programs in churches throughout the summer and brought awareness to the need for genuine love to be lived out in the lives of those in prison and detention, as well as sharing the hope we have with their loved ones.
Faithfully meeting each Thursday, our volunteers (Chris, Judy, Laura, and Lil) processed 100+ inmate letters last month! Reading, recording in our database, and mailing letters to pen pals- without them, it wouldn’t get done! (Not to mention all the sorting, stamping, counting, and matching that they do as well!)
As you know, we cannot do this work without you. Whether you support Tangible Hope Ministries through a financial gift, purchase needed items from our Amazon Wish List, or become a monthly donor, every act of generosity helps us continue sharing the love of Christ with those who need it most.
Thank you for standing with us, praying for us, and believing in the work God is doing through Tangible Hope Ministries. Together, we are bringing tangible hope to lives that many have forgotten.
Blessed & grateful!
Paula Creswell
Executive Director
Tangible Hope Ministries
The Rock Urban Church is located in Grandville, MI, at 3710 Chicago Drive SW. The vision of The Rock Urban Church is to create a community of authentic believers. They aspire to witness a city transformed by the life-changing reality of the gospel, as people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We presented our CFP program at The Rock and received a great response, with eight new pen pals in the hour we were there!
For more information, visit THE ROCK URBAN CHURCH Website
Pen Pals on the Outside
Se necesitan amigos por correspondencia que hablen español (pen pals who speak Spanish are needed)
We currently have three inmates who have requested to correspond in Spanish. If you are fluent in writing and reading Spanish and have a few minutes each month to write a note, please reach out to paulac@cardsforprisoners.org
Pen Pals on the Inside
“Your letter came at a time I needed to hear from somebody. My sister died a few years ago on July 5th, so I been down and your letter lifted me up. Thank you so much, can’t wait to get your next letter.”
~Kevin, inmate at Cotton CF
Fill a Bag of Hope with a Click
Every graduate of our Living Forward program receives a Bag of Hope filled with practical essentials to help them take the next step toward a successful future. These bags include hygiene products, socks, T-shirts, and other everyday necessities that many returning citizens simply don’t have when they begin again.
You can help by shopping from our Amazon Wish List. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a direct impact—simply choose an item, purchase it, and it will be shipped directly to Tangible Hope Ministries. Every donation helps us ensure that each participant leaves our program knowing they are valued, supported, and not walking this journey alone.
Click the Amazon Wish List button below to provide hope, encouragement, and practical support to a Living Forward graduate today. Thank you for helping us give returning citizens the tools—and the confidence—they need for a fresh start.
Tangible Hope Ministries Mission:
Motivated by the teachings of Jesus, Tangible Hope Ministries endeavors to show unconditional love to people overlooked by society, to inspire hope, dignity, and a path to restoration with family and community.
Tangible Hope Ministries Vision:
Tangible Hope Ministries envisions a world where no life is defined by its darkest moment. We partner with local churches and organizations to offer second chances, build community, and share the power of tangible hope.
Tangible Hope Ministries | P.O. Box 413 | Grandville, MI 49468 US
