About Kairos Outside

WHAT IS KAIROS OUTSIDE

Kairos Outside is designed to support the families of men, women, and youth who are, or have been incarcerated in the country’s state and federal correctional facilities. KO can help bolster the loved ones who are supporting those incarcerated persons. We believe that the families of the incarcerated are “doing time” right along with their loved ones. Kairos Outside is intended to let those families know that there is a community that cares about them and their needs. We provide a safe place for women to share with each other, and with those who are empathetic to their situation, their struggles and concerns. The women on the outside, in many ways, have to be stronger than their relative(s) on the inside to survive in today’s world. We hope Kairos Outside will help them find strength for their life journey and give them a chance to find and build relationships that may last a lifetime.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A KAIROS WEEKEND

The Kairos Outside Weekend is a special weekend retreat for women only and is designed to support the female loved ones of men and women who are or have been incarcerated. We believe the families of the incarcerated are "doing time" right along with their loved ones. In a safe environment with loving people, women interact with other women who are in similar situations and learn to form small support groups to give them strength for the challenges they face. The Kairos Outside Weekend is a 2½ day program based on a series of talks by volunteers designed to address the pain of enduring separation from the one inside and the judgment of others from their community. Guests hear the talks in small family groups. The program is interspersed with music, prayer, and fun activities.

AFTER THE WEEKEND

After the Weekend, the women journey together through SWAP (Share, Witness, Account & Pray) and Reunion meetings.

They support and encourage each other as they deal with the impact of prison on themselves and their families.

The continuing ministry of Reunions and SWAP groups allow the women to grow in their Christian faith and become active members of the Kairos Outside community.

history of kairos outside north texas

Kairos Outside began in California in 1989 as an idea from the Chaplain at San Quentin State Correctional Facility. After the first Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend, he felt, along with others involved in this ministry, that those who became involved in the Kairos program were now open to family unity more than ever before. James Rowland, then Director for the Department of Corrections for California, has often said, “Three things will help keep an inmate from coming back to prison: The first is some type of spiritual awakening while in prison; the second is support by their family during and after incarceration; and the third is a skill to find a job on the outside after release.”

Jo Chapman, just a regular Kairos Inside volunteer from California, took the Chaplain’s idea and, with the Kairos Prison Ministry International's blessings and support, developed the Kairos Outside Program to work in harmony with the Kairos Inside program.

We hope Kairos Outside will help them find strength for their life journeys and give them a chance to find and build friendships within the Christian community that may last a lifetime.

Kairos Outside North Texas was formed in 1994, with our first weekend being held in October 1995. Since that time, the lives of hundreds of women, their families, and their incarcerated friends and family have been blessed in the name of God.

Kairos Outside is active in 19 states, Canada, England, Australia, and South Africa.

Kairos Outside North Texas