Frequently Asked Questions

Are the courses free?

Yes. There is no cost to any student, ever. Creative Options is run entirely by volunteers and has offered its courses free of charge since the beginning.

Who can take a course?

Any incarcerated man or woman, in any state. We welcome students of every faith and of no faith at all. Our courses come from a Christian perspective, but we aren't here to judge. We're here to offer hope and love.

What courses do you offer?

• Anger Management (12 lessons): where anger comes from, healthy ways to express and control it, and how to use it to make positive change.
• Parenting (6 lessons): meeting a child's needs, healing from how we were parented, and staying involved in a child's life from a distance.
• Introduction to the Twelve Steps (12 lessons): the Twelve Steps of A.A. and N.A., studied one lesson at a time.
• Healing Prayer Journal: The Story of My Life (6 lessons): guided journaling to reflect on your life and pray your way toward healing. This course is available after you finish one of the courses above.

How do I sign up?

Fill out the Course Request Form and mail it to:

Creative Options, Academy of Human Development
P.O. Box 181409
Coronado, CA 92178

If you don't have a form, a letter with your name, ID number, facility address and the course you want works too.

I'm a family member. Can I sign up my loved one?

Yes. Print the Course Request Form from this site and mail it to your loved one to fill out and send to us. You're also welcome to call or email us with questions.

How does a course work?

We mail one lesson at a time. You work through the questions and mail your answers back. A volunteer facilitator reads your work and writes back with encouragement, and then your next lesson is sent.

How long does a course take?

• Anger Management: 6 to 11 months
• Introduction to the Twelve Steps: 12 to 18 months
• Parenting: 6 to 8 months
• Healing Prayer Journal: 6 to 8 months

Everything travels by mail, and every lesson gets a personal reply, so courses take time. Many students say those letters become one of the most meaningful parts of the course.

Will I get a certificate?

Yes. Every student who finishes all the lessons in a course receives a Certificate of Completion.

Will the course count toward parole, the board or programming credit?

Courts, parole boards and attorneys often recommend our courses. Creative Options isn't accredited by any institution, though, so whether a course counts toward credit is up to your facility or board. Ask your counselor or case manager.

Are you connected to the prison system?

No. Creative Options is an independent ministry and isn't affiliated with any department of corrections.

Will my volunteer know why I'm incarcerated?

No. Your crime is never discussed, and your facilitator doesn't know it. The focus is on who you are now and who you want to become.

Who can volunteer?

Any Christian with a desire to serve and help others. No special skills or background are needed.

How much time does it take?

About one hour a week. That hour can help change the lives of five students over six months.

Where and when do I volunteer?

From home, whenever it fits your schedule. There are no facility visits.

Will students know who I am?

No. All facilitators stay anonymous and use first names only. Students only ever get our P.O. Box address. We sort all the mail there and forward it to you.

Do I grade the lessons?

No. You read each lesson and write a note back. That note is always positive, and it follows Jesus' example of offering hope, love, and forgiveness of oneself and others.

Is there training?

All course materials are provided. Before you begin, you'll meet with our director, Ed Reichert.

Are there other ways to help besides facilitating?

Yes. Contact us to learn more.

How do I get started?

Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form and mail it to our P.O. Box, or contact Ed directly:

(619) 203-8973
eereichert@gmail.com

How did Creative Options begin?

In 1995, Creative Options was founded by a Carmelite nun and a Catholic priest. It opened as a home for anyone ready to change the way they were living, including people who were homeless, struggling with addiction, or coming home from jail or prison. The home was an old motel built in 1929 that had sat empty for years. Residents lived as a family, prayed together three times a day, and each one left the home a little better than they found it.

Over time, we saw that people coming home from prison faced fears and struggles well beyond the others. Many had spent years adjusting to life inside and found the outside world overwhelming. It was clear that the preparation needed to start before release.

In 2004, the residence closed and a new ministry began: self-help courses by mail. Fr. John Auther, S.J. wrote the first course, a 12-lesson Anger Management program. Students responded right away, and soon volunteers were needed to help answer the mail.

How many students have you served?

Since 2016 alone, more than 1,500 students have taken our courses, with thousands more in the years before that.

Are you a Catholic organization?

Creative Options is independent, but it has kept its Catholic roots and has the blessing of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado, California.

How are you funded?

We have no grants, no government funding and no paid staff. Our work is carried out entirely by volunteers.

Do you offer other resources?

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.