The Transporter Fund

Program Description: The Transporter Fund

“From prison to purpose.” That phrase captures the heart of Hope Prison Ministries’ (HPM) mission—and it’s exactly what the Transporter Fund was created to support. For the last three years, HPM has provided safe housing, Christian mentorship, and life-on-life discipleship through its Timothy Program, which partners with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to give young men a fresh start. Now, through the Transporter Fund, we are taking the next step: ensuring these graduates have reliable transportation so they can hold down steady jobs, support themselves responsibly, and remain free.

The Problem We See

The Bible reminds us, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Work is both a gift and a duty, but without the ability to get to and from that job, employment quickly collapses. Lack of transportation is one of the biggest reasons men returning from prison fail to thrive and instead fall back into the cycle of recidivism. Even after graduating from our program, these men face impossible odds in buying a car:

 - Their savings are already stretched thin, as they set aside money for future housing and emergency needs.

 - Inflation and high interest rates have put reliable vehicles out of reach.

 - Repair costs have risen dramatically, creating another financial barrier.

 - Most have little or no credit history and fall prey to predatory lending practices.

Without help, the very men who have worked hard, completed Christian discipleship training, proven faithful in saving, and maintained steady jobs are left stranded. And without transportation, they are one step away from losing everything they have fought to rebuild.

The Christ-Centered Solution

In 2024, we launched the Transporter Fund to break this barrier. Graduates of the Timothy Program who have faithfully:

 1. Completed our core Christian curriculum,

 2. Maintained stable employment,

 3. Built a proven track record of savings, and

 4. Regularly worshiped with our church, More Than Redemption,

become eligible to select a safe and reliable used car. Each vehicle undergoes inspection and necessary repairs through our partner, Mike Jewell, owner of Jewell Automotive, ensuring it is road-ready and dependable. HPM pays cash for the purchase, then sets up a zero-interest repayment plan that allows the graduate responsible ownership without the crushing debt.

In this way, the Transporter Fund not only provides a car—it provides dignity. It honors Paul’s exhortation, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28). Reliable transportation is the bridge between honest labor and lasting independence.

The Outcomes We Anticipate

The outcome is simple but profound: every Timothy Program graduate in 2025 will be able to own a vehicle upon graduation. That ownership translates directly into consistent employment, which is one of the strongest predictors of reduced recidivism nationwide. In other words, reliable transportation becomes the difference between a man walking back into prison—or walking forward into freedom.

By God’s grace, HPM has maintained a 0% recidivism rate among those we serve through our unique combination of Christian housing, mentorship, and accountability. With the Transporter Fund, we are strengthening the final piece: reliable mobility. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” These men are doing just that—committing their work, their earnings, and their futures to Christ. With your help, their plans will not only be established but will bear lasting fruit.