Our History

In the Beginning
In 1993, Prison Fellowship Ministries received a generous grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to develop and operate a concentrated prison aftercare program, called Detroit Transition of Prisoners, or Detroit TOP. The TOP program was charged with the mission of designing and implementing a national plan for prison aftercare. This national model was so successful that an independent evaluation declared the TOP program to be a highly effective model for reducing prison recidivism.

In November 2000, Detroit Transition of Prisoners became an independent, nonprofit organization, renamed Transition of Prisoners, Inc. which in turn became New Creations Community Outreach in 2006.

The Mission Grows
Beginning work with only one group of up to 30 men at a time, Detroit TOP grew rapidly and established itself as one of the national leaders in prison aftercare, providing leadership in substance abuse prevention and treatment as well as relapse prevention through program sponsorship and lectureship. Detroit TOP also developed mentor-training material that has been used in numerous cities across the country.

A Worldwide Example
New Creations Community Outreach, through its TOP program has become recognized as a global leader in the field of prison aftercare. Joseph Williams, the organization's founder and CEO, has facilitated and participated in numerous workshops and seminars for various agencies within the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention considers Mr. Williams an expert on the subject of designing and developing programs for prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. At the DOJ's request, Mr. Williams has served as a consultant for its "Going Home Project."

Today, prisoner reentry leaders from around the country continue to approach New Creations, and Mr. Williams, for assistance in designing and developing their own prisoner reentry programs.