Curriculum

The curriculum consists of 21 Core Classes, and each class runs for 12 weeks in 2-hour sessions.

• Participants are required to take three classes each semester and attend weekly family and wing meetings and monthly community meetings. Celebration Sunday Services are voluntary.
• Completion depends on the man’s availability, personal abilities, and aptitude but generally takes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years.
• Additional opportunities to grow are available, for example, Instructor and Leadership Training.
• An assessment is done of each participant’s gifts, such as writing, art, managerial, administrative, and wherever possible, that gift is encouraged through particular assignments. For example, those with artistic talents will work on murals.
• We work closely with Classifications, Education and the TIER Program to ensure the success of individuals.
• The Xtreme SOULutions core curriculum was accredited in 2018 by the FDC clearinghouse.
• Upon completion of all of our classes, FDC has agreed to note the participant’s graduation from the Xtreme SOULutions program on the FDC screen.

Special Programs

Food Handling and Managers Certification – Over the years, we have trained and certified over 50 foodhandlers and 10 Food Managers through the National Food Safety Association. Certifications are valid for five years from the test date allowing men to walk out ready to go to work.

Commercial Driver’s License - Until 2020, we administered the CDL Part A curriculum and testing in partnership with the Marion County Tax Collectors Office. We had over 300 men complete the program and are proud of the 98% pass rate of the program.

Garden

• In 2022 we began a garden in an unused lot behind the Vocation Building.
• Starting with 58 men, we prepared the ground, installed an irrigation system, germinated seeds, planted, nurtured and harvested a crop of vegetables. Some of the produce went to the kitchen at MCI and other items were donated to local homeless shelters and other outreach or community partners.
• This project was also funded by local businessmen, individual donors and the grant from Serving USA.
• Now in 2023 Phase 2 is underway with 1500 sweet potato plants and 400 yellow squash plants along with a small community garden that the men planted tomatoes, lettuce, peanuts, watermelon, and peppers, along with various other items. When the men will harvest the community garden they will have the opportunity to learn about preparing, storing and serving the items they have grown.

Community Partners

Through community connections over the years we have been able to acquire:

• Air conditioners for F Dorm dayrooms
• TVs and DVD players
• Art Supplies for the murals throughout the compound
• Sand for the volleyball court in the rec yard
• 140 Office chairs for the staff at MCI
• Fulfill clothing requests from the MCI warehouse for unusual sizes, as well as keeping the

warehouse stoked with clothing for men that EOS Some of these partners include: The Marion County Community Foundation, Salt Life Church, Sonny’s BBQ, Christs Church of Marion County, Pay It Forward Outreach and many others .