About Us

"Assisting men in their challenge to become positive and productive Catholic members of society."

In existence for 21 years, The Dismas / Magdalene Project, Inc., is a Christian lay organization that consists of 5000+ incarcerated Texas men and women who have made a serious and significant response to a changed life of good citizenship and holiness. The Dismas / Magdalene Project, Inc., was founded by Deacon Robert R. Leicht, Jr., and has conducted weekend retreats in 18 units of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

The goal of the Project is to significantly reduce the recidivism rate of Catholic offenders. The results of our prison work have been recognized by TDCJ Chaplaincy Department as part of its Life Changes Academy. 

The entire scope of the Project is summarized as a "1-2-3 punch," an outreach to our incarcerated men and women to assist them to come back to the Church toward real-life Christian values, including re-entry assistance upon release. 

1st, Volunteers initiate a high energy, 2-3 day Catholic Retreat in prison to gather Catholic offenders together. The candidates are invited to become Brothers of Saint Dismas (BSD)or Sisters of Mary Magdalene (SMM) and are inducted into the program.

2nd, Follow up fraternities & sororities are formed to encourage continued Church community and strengthen an individual’s Catholic faith. Mentorship and correspondence programs encourage them on their faith journey. 

During regularly scheduled meetings, each Brother and Sister is encouraged to develop a written plan of action to guide them upon release.

3rd, Upon release, another branch of the Brothers of Saint Dismas called the Catholic Re-integration to Society Program (CRISP) assists with a duffle bag of necessary supplies to assist in the reintegration of the ex-offender into the society. This third step also helps them join an outside local BSD/SMM Chapter to assist others upon release. 

The newly opened Kolbe House in Houston, Texas offers a Catholic faith-based community for the Brothers where the men continue to strengthen their faith. 

The Kolbe House is a faith-based transformation house for Catholic men who have been recently released from prison. The Kolbe House is part of the CRIS Program (Catholic Reintegration Into Society Program) whose primary mission is to assist men in reintegrating into society as Catholic men with a strong faith.

The Kolbe House and the CRIS Program has led many Brothers to find a peace inside of themselves they didn’t know existed.  In that peace, they find self-pride and respect. They also enjoy a great respect from family and friends that knew them before they came to the Lord with an open heart. 

The CRIS Program is divided into three steps.  They are the Adjustment Phase, Resident Phase and Exit Phase. All of these steps are flexible with regards to the time each one takes to complete.

ADJUSTMENT PHASE

The Adjustment Phase begins with Brothers from the Kolbe House picking you up at the prison where you are being released. Depending on your parole conditions, you are then driven home and if possible, stopping at a shopping center where the Kolbe House buys you new clothes, shoes, and a hygiene kit. Upon arrival at the Kolbe House, you are given a tour and the House Rules are explained. 

During this first month, a Brother of Saint Dismas will assist you with re-integrating into society. A plan of action will be developed and reviewed by a Brother. Upon review, the plan will then be used as a guide for your efforts. 

Tasks to complete during the Adjustment Phase include: 

· Health Exam

· Obtaining Identification Card

· Filing for Insurance Card

· Immunizations being updated

· Obtaining Driver’s License

· Writing a Resume

· Begin looking for a job.  

In addition to these tasks, you will visit Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community, the nearby church that works closely with us. At Saint Maximilian’s, you will find a community of welcoming people. Regular attendance at Sunday Mass is a big part of your spiritual development. 

RESIDENT PHASE

After the short Adjustment Phase, the Brothers enjoy the freedom of the free world with only a few restrictions necessary to maintain respect of the Kolbe House, the Program and the Brotherhood of Kolbe House. The first 3 to 4 weeks at the Kolbe House, the Brothers are not charged any fees; they will be responsible for their own food once food stamps start. The program supplies their physical needs of food, clothes, shoes, hygiene, funds and a temporary phone during this time. Once they are employed and receive an income, they are responsible for a $100.00 per week in program fees and their own food. Regular attendance at Wednesday night meetings is required. 

EXIT PHASE

When a Brother decides he wants to leave the Kolbe House, the ministry can assist in gathering furniture and other items necessary for the move. Even though a Brother has moved out, they are welcomed back to the Kolbe House for visits. 

All the Brothers that have moved out on their own are very grateful for the time they spent at the Kolbe House. Those Brothers are now living lives as positive and productive Catholic members of society. Even though they moved out of the Kolbe House, they are still members of the Brothers of Saint Dismas. 

THE KOLBE HOUSE PHILOSOPHY  

We, at the Kolbe House, call this place a "Transformational Facility" not a transitional facility. It's a place that men can call home and decide how to best follow Jesus with their lives. 

For example, The Brothers of Kolbe House volunteer to assist other groups and organizations. They pool together funds to provide Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners to families in need, they provide Christmas gifts to families in need, they organize care packages for the Homeless that include hygiene kits, snacks, socks, and necessities and distribute them on a monthly basis at homeless sites and where needed. These are just a few things that the Brothers do to show their love for others. They truly want to give back to society for the Blessings they have received!

As you read this, I hope you will prayerfully decide to let the Kolbe House help you return to the blessings and freedom of a life committed to God.