2024 – 2025 IMPACT REPORT
Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of those served by Dismas Ministry! (Download a pdf copy of this report)
Governance
New Board Members Welcomed
This fiscal year, Dismas Ministry joyfully welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors. Each brings a wealth of experience, faith, and dedication to advancing our mission of providing spiritual care and hope to individuals who are incarcerated. Their diverse backgrounds strengthen our capacity to serve and expand our reach across the nation.
- Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP (New York, NY) – President Emeritus of Paulist Evangelization Ministries, Fr. Frank brings deep pastoral insight and a lifelong commitment to evangelization and renewal within the Catholic Church. His experience helps guide Dismas Ministry’s ongoing partnership with the Paulist community.
- Daniel Gabler (Bayside, WI) – Assistant District Attorney for Sheboygan County, Daniel offers valuable perspective from within the criminal justice system. His dedication to restorative justice and faith-based rehabilitation aligns closely with Dismas Ministry’s vision of mercy and transformation.
- Chris Patrick (Baltimore, MD) – Senior Director at Northrop Grumman and Vice President of the Dismas Ministry Board, Chris brings leadership, strategic vision, and a compassionate heart shaped by his experiences in prison ministry as a deacon-in-formation.
- Joseph DeAlmeida (Arlington, MA) – Certified Peer Specialist and community volunteer, Joseph’s lived experience and dedication to peer support bring an essential voice of empathy and advocacy for healing and reintegration.
Together, our Board of Directors continues to provide prayerful guidance, strategic direction, and unwavering commitment to those we serve. Learn more about our board members at dismasministry.org/board-of-directors.
Staff and Roles
- Executive Director:
Juliann Joerres - Staff and Consultants:
Julie Needham – Administrative Assistant & Database Support Specialist
Kevin Abing – Grantwriter - Interns / Ambassadors:
Giselle Moreno
Haley Marini
Maggie Wilmot
- Volunteers:
Greg Dunlop – Accountant / Bookkeeper
Marilyn Martin – Backup Accountant / Bookkeeper
David Dunlop – IVC Volunteer / Bulk Order Packaging
Kelly O’Keefe – IVC Volunteer / Ministry Mail Coordinator
Anne Radomski – Correspondence Course Manager
Jackie Meyer – Correspondence Course Volunteer
Ruth Anne White – Correspondence Course Volunteer
Linda Dudzek – Correspondence Course Volunteer
Sue Giza – Correspondence Course Volunteer
Karen Valente – Correspondence Course Volunteer
Deacon Roberto Fuentez – Spanish Correspondence Course Volunteer
IVC Volunteers
Dismas Ministry is a partner agency with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Our ministry is greatly strengthened by two extremely generous volunteers.
David Barden serves as our Mailing and Packaging Specialist, generously volunteering his time each week to prepare and send every package that leaves Dismas Ministry. From large bulk shipments to individual mailings for those who are incarcerated, David ensures that each item is carefully packed and ready to reach those in need.
He arrives faithfully each week, always with a warm smile and a genuine love for the mission he serves. His dedication and joyful spirit make him an indispensable part of our Dismas Ministry team. We are truly blessed to have David sharing his time, care, and heart with us and with those we serve.
David Bardon, Mailing and Packaging Specialist
Kelly O’Keefe serves as Dismas Ministry’s Ministry Mail Coordinator, a role that is absolutely vital to our mission. Every letter we receive from the men and women we serve passes through Kelly’s hands. With great care and compassion, she reads each request, verifies facility information, and ensures that every individual receives the materials they need, whether it’s a Bible, a prayer book, or a faith study course.
Behind the scenes, Kelly’s work is detailed and demanding. She researches correctional facility mail policies, confirms inmate housing locations, and coordinates with our correspondence course volunteers to make sure every package meets the specific requirements of each institution. Her diligence keeps our operations running smoothly and ensures that every person who reaches out to Dismas Ministry is met with a timely and faithful response.
Kelly’s commitment embodies the heart of Dismas Ministry, ensuring that no letter goes unanswered and no soul is forgotten.
Kelly O’Keefe, Ministry Mail Coordinator
Fortunately, Dismas Ministry also has a corps of dedicated volunteers who help fulfill orders, correct course tests, manage inventory, and assist with general office duties.
Just as recruiting staff is a real challenge, so is attracting and retaining qualified volunteers. Though our team of volunteers has fluctuated over the years, we have been blessed by a number of dedicated long-term volunteers who help our organization flourish.
We are grateful to all our volunteers, some of whom have been part of our team for nearly 20 years!
Pictured below, Greg Dunlop – volunteer Bookkeeper,
Karen and Sue – Correspondence Course Volunteers,
Anne Radomski, Ruth Anne White, and Linda Dudzek – Correspondence Course Volunteers
Deacon Roberto Fuentez – Spanish Correspondence Course Volunteer
Young Adult Prison Ministry Ambassador Program (YAPMAP)
With generous support from the School Sisters of Notre Dame, we received a grant to support the continuation of our Young Adult Prison Ministry Ambassador Program (YAPMAP) an initiative that engages college-age students in hands-on service within our ministry.
During the 2024-25 school year, three Alverno College interns served as YAPMAP Ambassadors. These students played an essential role in managing our Bible study correspondence program, organizing resource inventory, collecting service data, fulfilling requests from individuals who are incarcerated, and assisting with events, communications, and donor engagement. They also helped introduce the mission of Dismas Ministry to their campus community through tours, presentations, and outreach events.
YAPMAP students had the opportunity for self-evaluation. Here is what they said…
Giselle Moreno, Student Ambassador
“During my time working at Dismas Ministry, I had the opportunity to set up an inventory document. I found the work to be rewarding, especially knowing that these tasks directly supported the organization’s mission of providing resources to incarcerated people. What stood out to me most was the positive and understanding atmosphere among the team. Everyone at Dismas played a role, and communication was key to the organization’s success. Despite the variety of tasks, from managing inventory to asset reports, there was a strong sense of collaboration, with each person contributing to a common goal. This experience highlighted the importance of clear communication and teamwork in a non-profit organization, and I learned how each small task fits into the larger mission. Overall, Dismas Ministry was a great place to work, where I felt supported and appreciated, and I gained valuable insights into how a well-communicated, role-based organization functions.”
Haley Marini, Student Ambassador
“During my time at Dismas Ministry, I learned that even the smallest behind-the-scenes tasks play a vital role in a mission-driven organization. Whether it was organizing records, updating donor lists, or preparing materials for mailing, I came to understand how essential administrative work is in supporting individuals who are incarcerated.
This internship taught me the value of efficiency, attention to detail, and time management—and reminded me that even repetitive work has purpose when it’s rooted in service. One of the most meaningful parts was reading letters from incarcerated individuals. Their gratitude made it clear that every effort, no matter how small, helps bring hope and faith to people who need it most.
I’m grateful for the experience and the reminder that real impact often begins quietly, behind a desk.”
Maggie Wilmot, Student Ambassador
“ During my time at Dismas Ministry, I gained valuable experience in nonprofit operations and communications. My responsibilities included reviewing and updating organizational materials, contributing to revisions of the ministry’s operational manuals, and assisting with social media content creation to enhance outreach and engagement.
A key component of my work was contributing to the revision and improvement of the organization’s operational manuals. This task required me to pay attention to detail, collaboration with staff to clarify procedures, and thoughtful consideration of how to make internal processes more efficient and user-friendly. I also contributed to the ministry’s outreach by creating and scheduling social media posts designed to expand visibility, engage supporters, and communicate the impact of the ministry’s work in a respectful and uplifting way. This experience not only deepened my understanding of nonprofit operations but also gave me insight into the importance of strong leadership, clear communication, and mission-driven strategies in advancing organizational goals.
One of my long-term career goals is to serve in a leadership position within a nonprofit organization. My internship at Dismas Ministry has provided me with foundational experience in managing key aspects of nonprofit work and reinforced my commitment to leading with compassion, integrity, and a clear vision. It has motivated me to continue developing the skills necessary to guide an organization that serves vulnerable communities and promotes meaningful change.”
THE NEED FOR OUR SERVICES CONTINUES TO GROW
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we reflect with gratitude on how far this ministry has come — and with urgency on how much work remains.
When Dismas Ministry began in 2000, we served just four states. By 2013, our outreach reached every state in the country. Today, twenty-five years later, we provide free Catholic faith materials to an average of 13,000 individuals who are incarcerated each year in more than 1,800 correctional facilities.
Yet, even after a quarter-century of service, we have only begun to meet the need. There are more than 6,200 correctional facilities in the United States, housing nearly two million people. An estimated 300,000 of them identify as Catholic. Each year, Dismas Ministry is able to serve just over 25 percent of U.S. facilities and about five percent of Catholic individuals behind bars.
The demand continues to increase as more prisons move toward digital communication and begin restricting physical mail. To ensure no one is left without access to the Gospel, we are expanding our digital distribution efforts so that our Bible studies, prayer books, and reflection guides can reach individuals even when paper is no longer allowed.
After 25 years, our mission remains the same — but the need is greater than ever.
I Am Beautiful, Volume 10 – A Celebration of Resilience and Hope
In December of 2024, Dismas Ministry proudly released I Am Beautiful, Volume 10—the latest installment in our ongoing series created by and for women who are incarcerated. Each volume gives voice to women who have endured hardship yet continue to find light, faith, and beauty through their creative expression.
Volume 10 was especially well received by our readers, volunteers, and prison ministry partners. Its pages, filled with poetry, artwork, and reflections on resilience and survival, resonated deeply with those inside and outside prison walls.
This edition also introduced a special “For the Reader” contemplative section, inviting readers to pause, reflect, and pray with the women whose stories fill its pages. This addition has deepened the book’s impact, creating space for shared reflection and a spiritual connection between authors and readers alike.
The overwhelming response to Volume 10 reaffirmed the power of this project to restore dignity, nurture healing, and remind every contributor that their story matters.
You can download a FREE sample of I Am Beautiful, Volume 10 on our website.
To order your full copy of I Am Beautiful, Volume 10, visit our online store.
Carrying on the Paulist Legacy
In January 2025, Dismas Ministry became the official steward of the Paulist Prison Ministries legacy, founded more than 30 years ago by the late Fr. Thomas Comber, CSP. For decades, this ministry reached tens of thousands of individuals in prison with compassionate guidance, Catholic teaching, and encouragement rooted in faith.
We are honored to continue this important work. Through the acquisition, Dismas Ministry now offers five of the Paulist’s trusted Catholic resources, ensuring that these well-known materials remain available to the many individuals who rely on them for spiritual support. This expansion has allowed us to serve more people, strengthen connections across the national prison ministry network, and place valuable tools for prayer, scripture study, and healing into even more hands.
We are also blessed to welcome Paulist Fr. Frank DeSiano to our Board of Directors. His wisdom, pastoral experience, and long-standing commitment to evangelization enrich our mission and strengthen our vision for the future.
By carrying forward the Paulist legacy, we honor a tradition of faith-filled outreach and ensure that the light of Christ continues to shine for our brothers and sisters behind bars.
Celebrating the 2025 St. Dismas Award Recipient
In March 2025, Dismas Ministry celebrated its sixth annual St. Dismas Award, honoring Fr. Chuck Canterna for more than 40 years of faithful and compassionate prison ministry. The celebration, held in Baltimore on March 22, brought together more than 210 attendees, including individuals whose lives have been touched by Fr. Chuck’s witness and service.
The day began with a beautiful Mass concelebrated by seven priests, a powerful testament to the respect and admiration Fr. Chuck has earned throughout his ministry. Heartfelt stories were shared by family, friends, parishioners, and fellow ministers who spoke of his unwavering commitment to bringing Christ’s hope to those behind bars.
Executive Director Juliann Joerres and Board Vice President Chris Patrick represented Dismas Ministry at the event, offering gratitude on behalf of the entire organization for Fr. Chuck’s decades of service.
This celebration not only honored one remarkable man, it also reminded us of the transformative power of presence, compassion, and the Gospel message. We are deeply grateful to all who helped make this event possible and to everyone who continues to carry Christ’s light into jails, prisons, and detention centers across the country.
Expressions of the Soul: A Day of Art and Humanity
In April 2025, Dismas Ministry partnered with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) of Milwaukee to host Expressions of the Soul, an art event celebrating the creativity and humanity of individuals who are incarcerated. The gathering drew more than 250 guests, making it one of our most successful friend- and fund-raising events to date.
The evening featured an inspiring collection of artwork — poems, drawings, and paintings — each one offering a glimpse into the faith, resilience, and lived experiences of those behind bars. These pieces spoke powerfully of hope, struggle, transformation, and the unbreakable dignity found in every person.
Both the Executive Director of IVC and our Executive Director, Juliann Joerres, shared reflections on the mission we hold in common and our hopes for the future of prison ministry. Guests left feeling deeply moved and connected, reminded of the profound capacity of art to awaken compassion and build bridges between communities.
Expressions of the Soul affirmed what we know to be true: when we honor the creative spirit of our brothers and sisters in prison, we honor Christ present in them.
We continue to provide our resources in digital format with a partnership with Edovo, the largest digital learning platform for incarcerated individuals in the United States. Edovo operates in more than 1,400 correctional facilities and reaches over 970,000 men and women behind bars, which is nearly half of the incarcerated population in the country.
Through this collaboration, Dismas Ministry now provides 31 free, faith-based resources in digital format. Every resource is offered at no cost to the individuals who rely on them for spiritual growth and encouragement.
The response has been both immediate and inspiring. Within the first few weeks of availability, more than 500 incarcerated individuals accessed our digital materials. This strong engagement reflects the deep desire for hope, healing, and faith among those living behind bars.
By expanding into digital access, we are reaching people where they are and ensuring that Christ’s light continues to shine even when traditional mail is not possible. This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in fulfilling our mission to serve our brothers and sisters in prison.
Navigating Change: The Rising Cost of Reaching Those Behind Bars
Throughout FY 2024–2025, Dismas Ministry has continued to navigate significant changes in how correctional facilities receive spiritual materials. Many institutions have moved toward digital communication systems, limiting or even discontinuing the acceptance of mailed resources such as Bibles, prayer books, and study courses.
As these policies shifted, we experienced a steady increase in returned packages. Each returned parcel represents more than a logistical challenge. It reflects a spiritual disconnect for someone behind bars who may no longer receive the materials they requested. It also creates a financial burden for the ministry, since we pay both the original postage and the return fees. These rising costs have made it essential for us to closely monitor mail policy changes across the country and adjust our distribution methods accordingly.
To meet this need, Dismas Ministry launched a nationwide effort to track correctional facility mail and tablet policies. With generous support from The ACTA Foundation, we strengthened this work through our Connecting the DOCs project. This digital initiative allows us to compile and maintain a comprehensive database of facility communication rules and electronic access options. The project has given us valuable insight into how systems are evolving and has helped us develop strategies to ensure that individuals who are incarcerated continue receiving spiritual support in ways that are possible for their facility.
Although the methods of communication are changing, our mission remains the same. We are committed to ensuring that every person behind bars has access to God’s Word and the comfort of faith-based guidance. With your continued partnership, and with the generosity of organizations like ACTA, we are adapting, learning, and finding new ways to keep the light of Christ shining in even the most restricted environments.
Donor Relations
We are grateful to both long-term and new donors who are inspired by and support our mission. We have grown a solid donor base since the organization’s inception.
Dismas Ministry’s primary goal is to serve the imprisoned. We are determined to grow our outreach to those who seek a deeper connection with God and the Catholic Church. The resources we provide are tools for their spiritual journey.
Our mission would cease to exist without the prayerful and financial support of many individuals and faith-based grantmaking organizations from across the country.
Thank you, friends, for your partnership with Dismas Ministry and your kinship with our brothers and sisters behind bars.
2024 – 2025 Total Donations Received
Understanding Our Numbers
At Dismas Ministry, we take great care in tracking the reach of our mission and the number of individuals who receive our spiritual resources. We approach this from several directions.
For materials mailed directly to individuals who are incarcerated, we maintain an in-house database that records every person we send resources to and exactly what was sent. However, our database is not currently designed to extract information by date range or time period. For that reason, our team manually compiles these figures when preparing annual totals. While these numbers are thoughtfully tracked and represent our best effort to measure activity, they should be viewed as approximate.
Bulk orders—those sent to chaplains, volunteers, and correctional facilities—are easier to quantify, and we have strong confidence in those numbers.
We also gather data through our partnership with Edovo, a nonprofit that provides a free educational and communication platform for individuals who are incarcerated. Their digital system allows us to see how many times each Dismas Ministry resource was accessed on tablets in facilities across the country. However, it does not identify whether the same person accessed multiple Dismas titles. For example, if our prayer book and Bible study course were each opened 20 times, we know the resources were accessed 40 times in total—but we cannot say with certainty that 40 unique individuals were reached.
Even with these limitations, the data we collect—through mail, bulk distribution, and digital access—together paints a reliable and meaningful picture of the reach and impact of our shared ministry.
Did you know Dismas Ministry has a monthly giving club?
We established Mercy Circle in 2019. Since then, 111 people have enrolled in this monthly giving club. Over the last five years, our Mercy Circle givers have donated over $268,243.00
Monthly donations are a vital resource supporting the spiritual lives of inmates. They bring peace of mind to staff and volunteers and form a revenue stream which allows us to plan our year with confidence. The decision to entrust regular gifts to Dismas Ministry strengthens our efforts to provide for the spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters behind bars.
Thanks to all members of Mercy Circle for making the commitment to support the ministry in this way. We welcome others to consider joining our monthly giving club for a convenient way to support Dismas Ministry throughout the year. To learn more about becoming a monthly donor visit our Mercy Circle page.
PLEASE HELP US SHARE OUR MISSION!
Not everyone has the means to help financially, so another way to help Dismas Ministry this holiday season is by sharing our information with anyone you feel might benefit from learning about our services. Or, you can help by simply keeping us in your prayers by joining our Union of Prayer.
PRAY
To provide hope and healing.
We rely on prayer. Without the prayerful support of others, our spiritual outreach to prisoners will not be successful, for nothing is accomplished without prayer and our connection with God. We invite you to join our Union of Prayer, a simple prayer association where you pray regularly for our ministry, the work that we do, and those we serve.
Click here to join the Union of Prayer.
SHARE
Be a beacon for those in despair.
Sharing information about Dismas Ministry can be as easy as sharing our website and social media posts. Click on any link below and then “SHARE” with your family and friends!
GIVE
Let them know they are NOT FORGOTTEN!
For none of the work we do would be possible without the financial support of individuals like you!
A contribution of any amount will help us carry out our work and touch the hearts of all prisoners who need our kindness and compassion.
Please know that we truly appreciate whatever you can do, whether spiritually, financially, or both. It helps prisoners know they are not forgotten.
Thank you for your support.
“I was in prison and you visited Me.” ~ Matthew 25:36.
