January 27, 2025, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH – 70×7 Life Recovery has been awarded a
$222,600 grant from the Michigan Justice Fund. This will create more opportunities to walk
alongside men and women released from incarceration and support their journey toward
employment and self-sufficiency.
This grant will allow 70×7 to make strategic investments. “Trauma goes along with
incarceration,” explains Lisa Mathews, Executive Director of 70×7 Life Recovery. “Research
has proven that trauma affects the brain. We want to learn more about how to recognize
and respond to trauma triggers, both for our participants as well as for our staff since many
of them are walking the path of re-entry too.”
In addition, the grant will allow 70×7 to invest in technology systems that will streamline
processes, and become more culturally competent through DEI education.
“We are on the verge of scaling for significant growth,” states Mathews. “Our goal is to
achieve 25% growth in the next two years. I am so grateful to the Community Foundation
for Southeast Michigan and the Michigan Justice Fund for their support. Ultimately, we
want to do more than just serve more people. We want to serve them well. This grant is an
essential tool to help us achieve that target.”
70×7 teaches practical life, relational, and job skills to men and women released from
incarceration. The ultimate goal is to change the trajectory of a participant’s life and faith so
they overcome their struggles and find purpose.
70×7’s services save taxpayers millions each year. It costs approximately $35,000 per year
to house and feed one Michigan inmate. That investment yields a 30% recidivism rate. In
contrast, 70×7’s mentorship and support programs require an investment of roughly $5,000
per person. Less than 4% of program participants return to jail or prison. In the last year,
70×7 served approximately 500 people, which saved Michigan taxpayers over $2 million.
About 70×7 Life Recovery: 70×7 is a faith-based organization serving all walks of life. The
mission of 70×7 is to restore the lives of those affected by incarceration through instruction,
mentorship, resources, and employment opportunities for a renewed life. Learn more at
70x7LifeRecovery.org.
About the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan: The Community
Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the
way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts
from thousands of individuals and organizations, the foundation supports a wide variety
of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community
development, and civic affairs. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than
$1.4 billion through more than 85,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne,
Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. Visit www.
cfsem.org to learn more.
About the Michigan Justice Fund: The Michigan Justice Fund is a funders’ collaborative
that makes investments to stem the flow of individuals into the criminal justice system,
support the investment of public dollars to community-driven alternatives to incarceration,
and ensure that those who are returning home after incarceration receive the support they
need to flourish. The Michigan Justice Fund is comprised of Michigan-based and national
funders dedicated to advancing justice reform and the economic mobility of individuals with
criminal convictions in Michigan. Visit cfsem.org/justice to learn more or make a donation to
support the Michigan Justice Fund.