<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1OAc8q_0vlk6fBx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1OAc8q_0vlk6fBx00" width="1320" height="743" >COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — It’s the kind of day that makes you want to open the windows. The sun is out, but the air is cool and crisp with a light breeze outside, making the inside of this new container home feel even more peaceful.That feeling of serenity is, by design, in the rich dark blue color of the walls and the soothing textures found in each corner of this home.Pastor Cynthia Burse knew this was the right mood for the home’s future residents. They will be two individuals moving through one of the most vulnerable and complex times of their lives.This new container home will meet the long-term residential needs of two Ohio citizens transitioning from prison to the community.“Welcome to the House of Redemption,” says Pastor Burse as she gives ABC 6 a tour of this space.The House of Redemptionis the name of the non-profit, of which Pastor Burse is the founder, devoted to providing stable homes for returning citizens. It’s also descriptive of the goal of this container home.<blockquote>It’s called the House of Redemption because it’s meant to imply, suggest, say out loud that you are a redeemed human being in our eyes,” said Pastor Burse.</blockquote>The finished home is the realization of goals set into motion more than 10 years ago, which was years after a family member of Pastor Burse became justice involved. She entered into doctoral work focused on urban ministry and began going into prisons, realizing the importance of housing for citizens returning to the community.Pastor Burse knew there could be something more than housing to set these individuals up for success. She set out to create a home.“Homes versus housing for people coming back into the community who are trying to make a new life for themselves,” said Burse.It took 3 years to raise the money from individual donations, and even longer to construct and finish – with property from the Columbus city land bank. Two containers combine to stand as a fully furnished, two-bedroom home, with one bathroom, kitchen, living and laundry room.“It’s meant to be easily cared for, cleaned, all those kinds of things to make it really easy,” said Burse.The space is ready for two individuals to begin a new chapter.A job is a requirement, but the residents will only pay 20% of their monthly income, making it an affordable place to call home.<blockquote>We want this home to feel like a burden has been lifted,” said Burse.</blockquote>To find the residents who will call this place home, organizers with The House of Redemption have been working closely with local organizations working directly with returning citizens, like ARCH.ARCH stands for “Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope.” They work to help remove barriers for individuals coming back to the community, with a home and a job at the top of the list.“You really can’t start a job or be successful in your employment or any of your steps moving out if you don’t really have a safe place to live,” said Wendy Tarr, Executive Director of ARCH.Across the country, more than 10% of those released from prisons and jails face homelessness upon reentry – a number that could be as high as 50% in large urban areas, according to Health and Human Services.<blockquote>If a person is homeless and jobless, they’re going to revert back to those old habits and bad choices and decisions that they made in their past,” said Dana Davis, Program Director for ARCH.</blockquote>That’s why the House of Redemption is focused on being the foundation for residents to move forward in this especially vulnerable time. The organization received applications through the end of August from possible future residents, with two selected to move in this fall.The two will be able to stay for up to three years to help establish their new lives.It’s a space with all the comforts of home. There are pictures on the wall, inspiring messages on the desks in the bedrooms and plants in the windows. Pots and pans are already in the kitchen cupboards.As the breeze moves through the open windows, Pastor Burse looks around the living room, scanning again to see if there is anything else that could be added to make sure the future residents feel at home. She knows how she wants them to feel when they enter this space.“It’s a constant place of renewal and in an otherwise chaotic and transforming daily life,” says Burse.The daily life that will happen here will ultimately lead to changed lives. Pastor Burse and the other supporters of The House of Redemption are dedicated to walking alongside these returning citizens.<blockquote>The individuals that live here will feel empowered to go out there where we know it’s not going to be easy,” says Burse. “It’s not easy for anybody. Life is just hard, but we want to make this a place of safety and stability for them while they get things together.”</blockquote>The House of Redemption plans to expand its reach to assist more returning citizens in the future. If you’d like to offer help or donations, click here.</div></body>

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House of Redemption gives formerly-incarcerated a fresh start, equal opportunities

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — It’s the kind of day that makes you want to open the windows. The sun is out, but the air is cool and crisp with a light breeze outside, making the inside of this new container home feel even more peaceful. That feeling of...