History.
Forgiven Ministries, Inc. (Forgiven) is a non-profit 50l(c)(3) organization founded by Lillian Beatty and has been committed to assisting previously incarcerated men and women find healing and self-sufficiency following their release. Furthermore, Forgiven was organized to offer religious, charitable, literary and educational opportunities to newly released parolees. The organization was founded, organized and incorporated in June 2011 by Lillian Beatty, and her husband Walter both of whom have the practical experience.
Forgiven is a young, independent, growing ministry. We evolved from just Lillian and Walter into a small group of people who came together out of a shared desire to help others, a different kind of help-a Christ centered help that was not defined by a specific place or a specific gathering time, but by a group of people, some ex-offenders, living out the truth of God's Word by modeling grace, and by loving and serving others. Part of our journey has included meeting inside and out of prisons, community corrections centers, half-way houses and in our community.
Forgiven Ministries Chronology.
2011-PRESENT
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2011-PRESENT
2011-PRESENT
From 2011 to present, Forgiven Ministries Community Service Work Program has partnered with the Erie Community Corrections Center to give paroles an opportunity to give back to the community. Since its inception over 45 parolees have participated where these men have logged over 2,000-man hours.
2012
2012
First interview by Rev. Nettie Smith by video. This 3-segment video was aired in Erie on CAT TV and can be found under "Media Topics" in our media section.
Volunteer Service Hours
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
2013
2013
Forgiven conducted its first Board Meeting; elected board members; drafted and approved bylaws; formed a website: (www.forgiven-ministries.org) and held its first banquet.
From March 2013 through March of 2014 Forgiven collaborated with Kairos Prison Ministry to volunteer inside Lake Erie Correctional Facility ministering to inmates.
Volunteer Service Hours
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
Night of Golden Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker: Walter & Lillian Beatty
2014
2014
In 2014 Forgiven partnered with the Erie Community Corrections Center to help provide residents with acquiring mandatory 2 hours of community service per week. These hours are performed at Grace Fellowship church or within our community.
Forgiven also prepared its first business plan during this time period. Furthermore, the IRS approved our 501 (c)(3) status which was retro activated back to June of 2011.
From 2014 to present, Forgiven Ministries has partnered with the Community Shelter Services to help shelter, feed, clothe and minister to the homeless.
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 19 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 324.25 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 275 |
Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 368 |
Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 967.25 |
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
Night of Golden Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker: Walter & Lillian Beatty
2015
2015
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 22 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 375 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 305 |
Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 423 |
Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 1103 |
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
3rd Annual New Life Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker: Rev. Nettie Smith
2016
2016
From 2016 to present Forgiven has partnered with the Sunshine Group of Erie; God's Treasure House in Souderton, PA; Union City First Assembly Church.
In 2016, Forgiven drafted its Organizational Manual; Employee Handbook and Client handbook
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 26 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 838.3 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 550 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Hungry Hearts | 55.75 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Sunshine Group | 27.5 |
| Comunity Cleanup | 20.75 |
Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 729 |
Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 2221.3 |
Community Events
Community Service Day
Participated In Erie Gives
4th Annual New Life Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker Senator Sean Wiley
2017
2017
In 2017-Forgiven partnered with ServErie in conjunction with the Erie Community Corrections Center through Acting Director, Ebony Frith, to help rebuild the Perry Elementary School's playground. Furthermore, Forgiven was branded through Mercy Hurst University;
Partnered with Ministry Web Designs who donated a brand-new web site template;
Partnered with Salvation Army of Erie;E&W Contracting of Erie; Believers International Worship Center.
Transitional Housing Program Began
Partnered with GSA Real Estate, LLC. & Opened "Joshua House" our first rental house for male parolees
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 21 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 709.5 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 564 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Hungry Hearts | 176.5 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Sunshine Group | 306 |
| Perry Elementary | 160 |
| E. 23rd Street Cleanout | 60 |
| Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 673 |
Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 2649 |
Community Events
Financial Reality Fair (In conjunction with PBPP, Erie CCC, PNC Bank, & Grace Fellowship Church)
Rebuilding of Perry Elementary School Playground
23rd Street Cleanout
Participated In Erie Gives
5th Annual New Life Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker Dr. Valerie Arthur
2018
2018
Opened our second rental property for male parolees (Isaiah House). Opening our third rental property for male offenders (Jeremiah House).
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 45 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 882.25 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 640 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Hungry Hearts | 21.25 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Sunshine Group | 80.5 |
Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 419 |
| Total Staff Hours Transitional Housing | 425 |
Total Transitional Housing Volunteer Hours | 217 |
Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 2685.25 |
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
6th Annual New Life Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker: David Windecher, Esq.,
2019
2019
Purchased two rental houses in west Erie.
Volunteer Service Hours
| Program Participants | 51 |
| Total Volunteer Hours @ GFIC | 614.25 |
| Total Staff Hours @GFIC | 300.00 |
| Total Volunteer Hours Hungry Hearts | 171.25 |
| Total Staff Hours @ Overflow Shelter | 419 |
| Total Staff Hours Transitional Housing | 1040 |
| Total Transitional Housing Volunteer Hours | 415 |
| Total Educational Programs | 175 |
| Total Administrative Hours | 1055 |
| Grand Total of Volunteer Hours | 3925.5 |
Community Events
Participated In Erie Gives
7th Annual New Life Celebration Banquet
Key Note Speaker: Pastor Daryl Craig, Sr.
2020
2020
Opened new business office located at 444 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16502
2021
2021