Since April 2020, Manasseh Ministry like many non profit organizations have pivoted our direction and focus during COVID-19. Experiencing jail and prison closures, the overwhelming sickness and death behind the walls, our communities struggling to survive the loss and death of loved ones, the trauma of inequity in healthcare, the rise of state and police violence brought Manasseh to view the world and our community needs from a more immediate perspective. There was no question, about our direction, prior to COVID-19, we brought needed services to our folks within the local jails and prisons, including Get Out the Vote education, registering folks, facilitating reentry trainings, substance use education, life and relationship trainings, we felt we were making a real impact. During and after the pandemic, we began to offer some of these same services incrementally within our community while partnering with other organizations. We also kept a very close eye on legislation we and other community organizations had mobilized for before COVID-19.

Here are some of the actions and results:
  • Mobilized and successfully passed the chokehold law which holds, courts, police officers and correctional staff accountable to the community, formerly incarcerated people and their families. 
  • Assisted over 200 families during COVID-19 with resources, services, food on a weekly basis.
  • Volunteered for 24 weeks with the Urban League during COVID-19 handing out food and GOTV information (pictures available upon request)
  • Advocated for Caretakers Rights, and the release of incarcerated people over age 65.
  • Mobilized for a living wage to be raised to $15.00 for persons working in the fast-food industry and health care.
  • Manasseh  stood with the men in STL Justice Center as they sought for their voices to be heard during the riots. Proud to know that at the end of the day, Manasseh served the people and did not shy away from the consequences.
  • Manasseh  facilitated training workshops on voter rights, using The Ordinary People’s Society (TOPS) tool kit, and registered 71 persons and counting. We continue to provide valuable information to those unaware as it relates to voter rights, during these conversations we offer PPE, food deliveries and other resources.

This work needs to continue, with your generous donations and support we can continue to meet the needs of our formerly incarcerated brothers and sisters, their families and our community. 

Please refer to donation button to support Manasseh Ministry. Thank You!

Mission

Manasseh’s Mission is to organize, advocate and develop leadership
capacity of people and family members impacted by the
criminal legal system, police and state violence in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Us
Manasseh Ministry, a nonprofit organization located in St. Louis, Missouri. Envisioned
by Richard Jackson in 1988 during his incarceration with a purpose to assist currently,
formerly incarcerated people and their families. Upon his release, Mr. Jackson and
volunteers began the necessary work, offering direct services to currently, formerly incarcerated people and their families. 

Incorporated in 1991, Manasseh Ministry included programs specific to encourage
and strengthen the power of people in jail and prison, family members and children
of incarcerated parents, offering direct services, advocacy and organizing trainings,
leadership development and GOTV registration. 

Over the past 26 years, Manasseh supported over 57,000 currently and formerly incarcerated people and their family members from fundraising and in-kind donations totaling over $5.9 million dollars. Serving anyone who needs support both in and out of jail and prison, and
​the community of St. Louis impacted by the criminal legal system. 
For more information, please contact us. 
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Thank you for taking the time to visit our website please consider making a donation so that Manasseh Ministry can continue this vital and necessary work. 
God bless you and remember: Until we help others, we are only helping ourselves.

Meet the Team
​

Reverend Jackson 
Founder and CEO

Pastor Richard Jackson, Founder and CEO of Manasseh Ministry, brings over 20 years of experience to serving ex-offenders and their families. He has a Bachelors in Pastoral Care. He has received various certifications and training in his field including; Certified Healthy Relationship Facilitator, Mentor, and Certified Substance Abuse Facilitator. Pastor Jackson has been involved as the Repairers of Breach Church since 2010. He has taught re-entry classes in prisons and local jails since 2007.
Larry Howard 
Vice President 

Ministry Larry Howard has a AA from Lincoln University. He serves as the Vice Chair and leader of the Prison Ministry since 2009. He brings to the table over 15 years of experience in serving ex-offenders and their families. He is loyal and dedicated member of our Board.
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Cynthia Witherspoon
​Treasurer

Cynthia Witherspoon is Manasseh Ministry Treasurer. Ms. Witherspoon is an accomplished graduate of TSU. She previously served as an Accounting and Finance Officer for the U.S. Airforce. Currently, she is an Accountant at SLU and Mentor for Family Resources Center and Harmony Grand Chapter Order of th Eastern Star.
Minister Clara Reese
Secretary

Minister Clara Reese currently serves as secretary on the Manasseh Board of Directors for 18 years. Currently, she attends  Brookes Bible College. Minister Reese received a Bachelors of Art in Business Administration and Masters of Art in Management and Leadership from Webster University.  As a certified Adult Education and Literacy Instructor, she has taught adult education for the Parkway and St. Louis Public Schools.  Her passion for rightly dividing the word of God is reflected in her teachings as a Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher. Minister Reese is the founder of Abounding Grace Ministries. 
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Timothy Clark
formerly incarcerated, business owner, volunteer supporter
Reginald Slaughter
formerly incarcerated, business owner, ​volunteer supporter
Iris Gerdine
business owner fundraiser, supporter
Dr. Janice Ward
business owner, data intake person
Jayme Scott Perry
business investor/advisor supporter

 Important Educational Facts
  • Over the last 25 years the number of incarcerated people has quadrupled.
  • From 1991-2020 the number of children who have a incarcerated father has increased 77% and the number of children who have an mother has incarcerated has increased by 131%.
  • Half of people in prison are parents to minors, leaving 1.25 million kids struggling to cope. Nearly half (47%) of the approximately 1.25 million people in state prison are parents of minor children, and about 1 in 5 (19%) of those children is age 4 or younger.
  • When a loved one is incarcerated, it has long-lasting emotional, social, and economic effects on the family and the incarcerated individual themselves. 
  • Children with an incarcerated parent are some of the most at-risk of trauma, and least visible, group of children.
Courtesy of Second Chance Coalition and Minnesota Fathers & Families Network
2017 Manasseh Ministry