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Our Stories
At Along Side Ministries, we’re privileged to watch God move every day in the lives of the men and women we serve. Below are a few stories of transformation and redemption made possible through God’s grace and the support of our friends:
Breaking Chains Newsletter
A front-row seat to what God is doing through Along Side Ministries—stories of redemption, discipleship, and real-life transformation inside prison and beyond. Get updates, testimonies, and ways you can pray, give, and come alongside.
Along Side Ministries December 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • December 2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go online www.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries November 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • November2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go onlinewww.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries September 2024 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • September 2024 • Newsletter From Abuse and Neglect to Redemption and Restoration Matthew’s Story By the age of 14, Matthew’s parents, both alcoholics in a physically abusive marriage, divorced, leaving Matthew caught in a web of loneliness while moving between his dad’s, mom’s, and sister’s houses. It was years of no actual structure of family life. This led to an angry and confused Matthew, who took on the values of the world and away from his Catholic upbr
Freedom Stories: Alumni Testimonies
Meet the men and women whose lives have been changed through the Discipleship Training Program—testimonies of freedom, faith, and new beginnings. These are graduate and alumni stories of what happens when hope becomes a life rebuilt.
Graduation September 17, 2023
November 2023 • Newsletter Thank you for honoring our most recent graduates; Charlette Susie Chartier, Gregory Kouma, Henry Fischbacher, and Evan Weeks. “I see graduation not as an end of something but rather as a continuation of my transition into society and my walk with the Lord. It’s an obligation to give back to others who are released from prison and joining the Along Side program, to be a help and support to them as they start their transition on the outside.” — Henry
June Graduates – What Graduation Means to Me!
July 2023 • Newsletter ASM June Graduates (L-R) Verrone White, Jacob Welsch and Craig Chapman Along Side Ministries quarterly graduation ceremonies are always an event. Program residents, Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors all come together to celebrate the Discipleship Training Program and become Alumni. Verrone White – June Graduate — I see graduation as a time to pause and reflect on all the Lord has done for me and how much I’ve learned over the past nine month
Rising from the Ashes of a broken Life – Orion Everson’s Story
God not only transformed Orion’s life, He’s blessing him with a beautiful relationship with his daughter, Addison.
Faith In Action: Volunteer Stories
Real stories from real people serving in reentry, jail, and prison ministry—faith made visible through mentorship and presence.
Inside Arizona Prison Volunteer Stories: Dan Norcott
"Because of you, hope walks into prison" - ASM Volunteer Dan Norcott What would it feel like to walk into a prison and see a church? Not a building with stained glass and pews — but a visitation room filled with orange uniforms and open Bibles. The inmates and volunteers call it “Orange Church.” And every week, because of faithful supporters like you, church happens in one of the darkest places imaginable. Serving these men is one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
Setting Captives Free
September 2020 • Newsletter “ Along Side is fantastic. They’re doing so many things right. I volunteer with other ministries and not many have this much recovery programming. The regular sessions each week, the one-on-one mentorship is all very good, plus they’ve got some very smart, extremely biblically sound, and caring leadership.” Ruth has a passion for pouring into the lives of women and helping them experience freedom from the lies and regret that holds them hostage. W
Hope & Help Resources
Tools, guidance, and support for families, donors, and anyone seeking help—clear next steps to connect, give, and find encouragement.
Help Change A Life And Take The Credit
November 2023 • Newsletter You can make a difference in the lives of the men and women in our Discipleship Training Program as they make a successful transition to independent living and the local church. Please consider donating to Along Side Ministries and receive an ARIZONA TAX CREDIT. The State of Arizona Charitable Tax Credit is available to singles up to $421 and couples filing a joint return up to $841. Please consult your tax advisor for how this credit may apply to
Help Change A Life And Take The Credit
Help Change A Lige And Take The Credit! You can make a difference in the lives of the men and women in our Discipleship Training Program.
Help Change a Life and Take the Credit!
February 2023 • Newsletter You can make a difference in the lives of the men and women in our Discipleship Training Program as they make a successful transition to independent living and the local church. Please consider donating to Along Side Ministries and receive an ARIZONA TAX CREDIT . The State of Arizona Charitable Tax Credit is available to singles up to $400 and couples filing a joint return up to $800 . Please consult your tax advisor for how this credit may apply
All Posts
Along Side Ministries December 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • December 2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go online www.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries November 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • November2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go onlinewww.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries September 2024 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • September 2024 • Newsletter From Abuse and Neglect to Redemption and Restoration Matthew’s Story By the age of 14, Matthew’s parents, both alcoholics in a physically abusive marriage, divorced, leaving Matthew caught in a web of loneliness while moving between his dad’s, mom’s, and sister’s houses. It was years of no actual structure of family life. This led to an angry and confused Matthew, who took on the values of the world and away from his Catholic upbr
Along Side Ministries April 2024 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • April 2024 • Newsletter Would a different mom have made a difference? Racquel’s Story Racquel was just 4 years old when her parents divorced. Afterwards, she traveled back and forth between houses, between two separate families, finally landing more at her mother’s house. There, she grew up in an atmosphere of harsh criticisms, shouting matches, physical beatings, long silent treatments, even having her hair chopped off by her mother. “I remember praying to
Through it all Jesus won!
November 2023 • Newsletter Thomas (right) credits his mentor, Alan Lopez as being a source of stability and encouragement – Thomas Jackson’s Story. Surviving childhood was not easy for Thomas Jackson. Premature birth weighing just 2.7 pounds. Abandoned at 2 years old by his mother. Raised by grandparents with too much drinking and abuse at home. Running from the law with his father, a notable member of a national motorcycle gang, who later went to prison for murder. The wound
Why Along Side Ministries?
September 2023 • Newsletter The Problem Arizona is facing an ever-increasing number of persons incarcerated and an alarming annual budget of $1.1 billion to keep them in custody. But as Christians we know there is so much more going on than just people being locked up and budgets – there is a battle going on for their souls. Jesus said: “… for I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me
Alive Behind Bars
July 2023 • Newsletter “My first Along Side Ministries service was while serving LIFE for First Degree Murder.” Sylvia Estrella came to know Christ in 1998 while in the county jail where she began reading the Bible. Up to that time her life was deep in the drug trade for 23 years. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. We sat down with Sylvia to learn more about her journey: What are you incarcerated for? F
Come One, Come All!
May 2023 • Newsletter On April 1, 2023, Along Side Ministries hosted its first Homecoming & Volunteer Appreciation Day event with more than 200 attending, which included board members, staff, teachers, mentors, prayer warriors, graduates, programmers, and guests. It was an amazing day! Men’s Program Manager Bob Lee “I loved the response to the Volunteer Appreciation event from our wonderful volunteers who work hard and make sacrifices to serve our incarcerated brothers and si
Keep the Faith; God is good!
February 2023 • Newsletter Keep the Faith; God is good! Isaiah 54:17 (ESV) “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgement. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Jennifer was born in California into a dysfunctional family where her mother was addicted to meth. Jen describes her family as drifters moving from state to state. Her mother pr
Mike Dawson — From Mentee to Mentor
December 2022 • Newsletter Galatians 5:13 (ESV) For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Along Side Ministries quarterly graduation ceremonies are a pinnacle event for our community. Program residents, Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors all come together to celebrate our graduates as they complete the Discipleship Training Program and become Alumni. At our last graduat
Harriet Hemerling –Program Graduate Becomes A Board Member
October 2022 • Newsletter Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. We previously introduced you to Harriet Hemerling in our article on June 15, 2020. (See “Stories” at www.asmaz.com.) Harriet had just graduated from the Along Side Ministries (ASM) program. But her story wasn’t over, it was just beginning. Before ASM, Harriet had an impressive track r
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