About a year ago, Melita Biese embarked on an IVC service journey with the Thrive for Life Prison Project (TFL).
This organization is dedicated to offering spiritual development and educational resources to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Operating across New York State and New Jersey, the nonprofit serves a pivotal role in supporting incarcerated persons held in correctional facilities across these communities.
In addition to its work within these facilities, TFL has expanded its mission through the introduction of a House of Studies program. This initiative serves as a bridge from transitional to permanent housing for those exiting the correctional facility. In 2021, Fr. Zach Presutti, the founder and executive director of TFL, announced plans to collaborate with community members and partners to establish a House of Studies program in Milwaukee. The house is set to have residents by August 2024 who will start their academic careers for the 2024-2025 school year.
Melita’s involvement with TFL includes using her legal expertise to navigate zoning exceptions and secure occupancy permits, which are essential steps in bringing the Milwaukee house up to code. Beyond these efforts,
Melita has tapped into the IVC community, recruiting a team of individuals to contribute their skills to TFL’s mission. These efforts have resulted in naming a talented project manager (Christa Pipitone) and a retired engineer (Peter Kelly) to the team. These individuals have been instrumental in overseeing repairs and furnishing the house.
Though Melita’s time with IVC has only been a couple of years, her dedication to service runs deep. Her IVC service journey began with St. Bakhita Catholic Workers House, which provides a safe space for women escaping sex trafficking and exploitation. There, she once again applied her legal experience to assist with ordinances and zoning matters.
Reflecting on her spiritual journey, Melita describes it as a “slow but steady” accumulation of recognitions of her blessings. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude, particularly when working with populations facing significant challenges. “It’s easy to forget the gratitude part,” she says, highlighting the transformative impact of recognizing one’s blessings. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Melita for her invaluable service with the Thrive for Life Prison Project and wish her the best in this hopeful and anticipatory phase of her journey.