Dear family and friends,
As you all know, on June 28th Paid in Full Oregon (PIFO) and its partners, Corban University and the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of AICs in the Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI). 18 out of 25 men who began the coursework in the fall of 2019 successfully completed the Corban curriculum and received a BS degree.
This graduation was history making! It is the first time that a college degree program was entirely completed within the walls of the Oregon prison system. It made national news.
This program has reunited families that were once irretrievably broken. Here is an example of a letter PIFO received a few days after graduation:
“My name is Char and my son Greg is an AIC at OSCI and was one of the graduates. I have not been able to see my son for over 7 years. I wanted to say how amazing and moving that day was. It was like a huge family reunion with everyone who attended. Everyone was so nice and supportive. I met the teachers and fellow graduates. Thank you for the opportunity for all those men. It was a proud day for all involved. Thank you for your hopefulness, your inspiring teaching and your faith. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude…To know that God has used a tragedy (the murder of a daughter) for His good purpose is the most amazing thing of all. Please know the hearts and souls PIFO has touched is a living testament to God’s goodness. Thank you so much for all you do and who you are.”
Without your support and prayers through God, this would not have happened. Thank you, family and friends, for all you have done and will do in the future.
Forever grateful!
Tom Kohl
Founder, Paid in Full Oregon