First Church Brooklyn partners with our sister church, The Church of Gethsemane, to provide support and care for formerly and currently incarcerated men and women. Below are the many ways, large and small, to partner with us and serve.

Opportunities to Serve

• Preparing and serving Sunday lunch
• Making prison visits – Sign up for orientation training
• Donations of Clothes, Food, & MetroCards for transport to jobs and job interviews
• Letter Writing
• Administrative support
• Offering employment assistance
• Offering mental health expertise
• Housing assistance
• Project Connect peer group participation and individual support
• Legal assistance
• Computer training
• Conducting seminars

The Church of Gethsemane is a Presbyterian Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn, founded in 1986. It was created by and for formerly incarcerated men and women, their families, neighborhood people and people who are called into ministry with the poor. Reverend Diane Lacey is the pastor. Learn more about  the community she leads.

Project Connect

The Church of Gethsemane’s successful, 25-year-old program connects incarcerated men and women to Gethsemane while they are still inside the prison system. Project Connect uses a four-pronged approach to join in ministry with people who are incarcerated and then helps in the transition process back into the home and community upon release. Minister Chibueze Okorie is the Project Connect Director.