Thank You, Rochester: Reflections on the RESTORE Gala

The 2026 RESTORE Gala was a meaningful evening of gratitude, fellowship, and hope. On October 2, our community gathered to celebrate restoration and to support the gospel-centered reentry services of Next Chapter Reentry Project across Southeast Minnesota.

We are deeply thankful for every person who helped make the evening possible. The Gala was a reminder that no one is meant to walk the path from incarceration to community alone. Through Christ-centered relationships, practical support, and a community willing to show up, new chapters can begin.

A Night Centered on Restoration

RESTORE is more than the name of an event. It reflects the heart behind our work: believing that God restores people, relationships, purpose, and hope.

At Next Chapter Reentry Project, we walk alongside individuals and families impacted by incarceration as they pursue stable, hope-filled lives. Our faith-based reentry program brings together discipleship, mentoring, practical support, accountability, and restorative relationships. The Gala gave us a special opportunity to pause and celebrate that shared mission with people who care deeply about our neighbors in Rochester and throughout Southeast Minnesota.

Because of the generosity and encouragement surrounding this gathering, we are grateful to share that [insert confirmed gala result].

Thank You to Our Guests and Supporters

To every guest who joined us: thank you for spending the evening with us and for standing behind restoration in our community. Your presence communicated something important to the men, women, children, and families connected to our ministry: they are seen, valued, and not defined by the hardest chapter of their story.

We are also sincerely grateful to our sponsors. Your support helped create an evening that pointed back to the mission of Next Chapter Reentry Project. Thank you for investing in a stronger, more compassionate Rochester and in reentry services that help people move forward with dignity and direction.

To the churches and community partners who continue to come alongside this work, thank you. Church partnerships, referral relationships, and local collaboration make it possible for restorative justice ministry to take root beyond a single program or location. We are grateful to serve alongside you.

Honoring Our Volunteers

Volunteers bring warmth, consistency, and care to every part of this ministry. From preparing for the Gala to welcoming guests and serving behind the scenes, your time and attention mattered. Thank you for giving so generously.

Your impact also reaches far beyond one evening. Volunteer mentors, jail outreach volunteers, Bible study leaders, and supporters of family-focused programs all help create the relational foundation that makes gospel-centered reentry possible. A practical act of service, a faithful prayer, or a regular mentoring conversation can remind someone that their future is still worth building.

Celebrating Residents and Families

We want to offer a special thank-you to the residents and families whose courage and perseverance give purpose to this work. Reentry is not a simple moment of release; it is an ongoing journey of rebuilding trust, pursuing stability, developing healthy rhythms, and reconnecting with family and community.

Next Chapter Reentry Project is honored to support men through our Discipleship Homes, women through The Lighthouse, and families through Family Reentry and Little Legacies children’s mentoring. Whether someone needs transitional housing, a mentor, life-skills support, employment guidance, case management, or a caring community, we believe every step forward matters.

We are especially grateful for the families who keep showing up with love, patience, and hope. Family reunification after incarceration can require time and support, and no family should have to navigate that journey in isolation.

Why Gospel-Centered Reentry Matters

Our work is rooted in the belief that lasting change is possible through the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Practical help is essential, but meaningful reentry support also calls for belonging, accountability, discipleship, and relationships that endure when life is difficult.

As a reentry nonprofit serving Rochester, Olmsted County, and communities across Southeast Minnesota, Next Chapter Reentry Project seeks to provide holistic support for people returning from jail or prison. Through jail ministry, mentoring for returning citizens, transitional housing, accountability circles, and partnerships with churches and community organizations, we want people to know that a second chance can become a new way forward.

The RESTORE Gala reflected that conviction. It brought people together around a shared belief that community restoration is possible when we refuse to give up on one another.

Stay Connected to the Work

The encouragement of the Gala does not end when the evening is over. There are meaningful ways to remain connected with Next Chapter Reentry Project and help strengthen reentry programs throughout Southeast Minnesota.

• Join our mailing list: Stay informed about ministry updates, stories, opportunities, and ways to pray.
• Volunteer: Consider serving through mentoring, jail outreach, practical support, hospitality, or other volunteer opportunities.
• Pray: Pray for residents, families, mentors, staff, volunteers, churches, and each person taking the next faithful step forward.
• Partner: Churches, businesses, and community organizations can help expand the circle of support around returning citizens and families.
• Give: Financial gifts help sustain gospel-centered reentry services, transitional support, mentoring, and restorative relationships in our community.

FAQ

What did the 2026 RESTORE Gala support?

The 2026 RESTORE Gala supported the gospel-centered reentry services of Next Chapter Reentry Project in Rochester and across Southeast Minnesota. These services include mentoring, transitional support, discipleship housing, family reentry support, jail outreach, and restorative relationships.

Who does Next Chapter Reentry Project serve?

We serve individuals and families impacted by incarceration. Our community includes returning citizens, residents, children, family members, churches, volunteers, referral partners, donors, and local advocates who believe in restoration.

How can I volunteer with Next Chapter Reentry Project?

There are many ways to serve, including mentoring, supporting jail outreach and Bible studies, helping with events, encouraging residents, and sharing practical skills. Connect with our team to learn about current volunteer opportunities and the best fit for your gifts.

How can churches partner with this ministry?

Churches can partner through prayer, volunteer engagement, mentoring, financial support, relationship-building, and by helping create welcoming communities for people and families affected by incarceration.

How can I support the mission after the Gala?

You can join our mailing list, volunteer, pray, become a community partner, or make a gift. Every form of support helps Next Chapter Reentry Project continue offering hope, connection, and practical help to people rebuilding their lives.

Thank you again to everyone who made the 2026 RESTORE Gala a night of encouragement and shared purpose. We are grateful for a community that believes restoration is possible. Together, we will keep walking alongside individuals and families as they step into the next chapter God is writing.