Our Lady of the Angels supports Bradenton Bridge transition program

Mary Peterson, the chaplain at the Bradenton Bridge Female Community Release Center, was trying to provide comfort to a woman who had just learned about the death of her best friend.

While the 100 women residing at the community release center hold regular jobs in the community as they transition out of prison, they still are, in effect, inmates.

Peterson knew the woman didn't have access to family or friends to talk about her loss, so she approached the woman and sat down on the bed next to her.

"Oh my goodness," Peterson thought at the time. "This is like sitting on steel."

The center, which is run entirely through donations (except for food), currently uses 10-year-old, 2-inch fiber mattresses.

Peridia's Peterson wondered how the women could ever get a good night's sleep.

At the time, Peterson had been working with the Peace and Justice Ministry at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch. In 2023, Peterson had gone to the ministry about considering some support of the ladies going through the transition from prison back into the community.

The Peace and Justice Ministry selects a charity of the month for every month during the year, and Peterson was so passionate explaining the plight of the women at the community release center, that they were added to the schedule for August 2024.

But after Peterson plopped down on that hard bed, she went to the ministry with another idea. How about using whatever support had been collected to buy mattresses?

"The women had been putting books under the mattresses because they were softer than the steel," Peterson said. "Now they are going to have 7-inch mattresses. These women are so thankful."

Ruth Harenchar, who is the leader of the Peace and Justice Ministry, said Peterson's passion and knowledge made supporting the program a slam dunk.

"Mary and her commitment were so compelling," Harenchar said.

Harenchar said the Peace and Justice Ministry, which is made up of 14 volunteers, had supported a men's transitional program out of prison and back into the community, so the women's program was just an extension of that effort. 

"When Mary came to us, we weren't doing anything to support women," Harenchar said. "We knew we were getting factual information from Mary, and we knew how well run the organization is, and that the money would not be wasted."

"These women deserve all the support they can get so they can make the transition," said Theresa Phillips, a member of the ministry.

Women in the program start jobs within two weeks of moving to the center, which is located at 2104 63rd Ave., Bradenton. They don't receive any days off and when they aren't working, they are taking care of the center, doing the lawn work, the laundry, and the cooking. The center is made up of three dorms, and each dorm room has three occupants.

The new mattresses cost $143 apiece. 

"I was thrown into this position by God," said Peterson, who held a similar role at a Minnesota men's prison until 18 months ago when she moved to East County. "These women are restoring their lives, and I know I am a good listener. I can't think of a better purpose for me."

To qualify for the work release program, inmates must be within 18 month of their end of sentence. The inmates also must have a history of good behavior.

Anyone who would like to support the program can contact Peterson at [email protected] or by calling Peterson at 612-408-2255. Those interested also can mail or drop off a check at Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 S.R. 70 E., Lakewood Ranch, 34202.