About Us

The Branch of Goodness Agape Rehabilitation Center, Inc

Our Story

Founded September 2006

The Branch of Goodness Agape Rehabilitation Center (The Branch) was founded September 11, 2006 in the State of Texas, City of Dallas by the Founder, Ms. Cheryl Davenport. The word Agape [pronounced a·gape /əˈɡāp/] is recorded from the early 17th century, and comes from Greek agapē, meaning "brotherly love".

Ms. Davenport's idea for the The Branch was to help those who where experiencing the same problems Ms. Davenport experienced with rough times after serving time in prison and upon coming back into society. She saw a drastic need to help women coming out from confinement and be given a helpful hand to take a path to self-sufficiency and independence and not fall back into their routines before confinement which almost always leads back to prison.

The Branch of Goodness Rehabilitation Center organization originated in 1999. in 2007 Ms. Davenport ran for the Mayor of Grand Prairie Texas but feel short of winning. Ms. Davenport’s hard work, determination and dedication to her dream become a reality and started formal operations in 2010. The Organization currently holds a 501(c)(3) non-profit status with the IRS

Who We Are - The Branch of Goodness Agape Rehabilitation Center

The Problem

When a person is released from confinement, they need to reintegrate with their family and quickly get self-sufficient. In Texas alone, more than 70,000 prisoners are released each year and most of them returning to their communities with nearly one third of these released individuals are re-incarcerated within three years. We strive to greatly reduce this number.

Our Value Proposition

With the lack of engagement in education, any formerly incarcerated person returns to their community without the skills necessary for employment. We help an ex-prisoner find their way with services provided by our organization which empowers the individual to perform socially and economically through their mental change on their destiny and how they see and value themselves. We help 30-40 people a month with 80% - 90% recidivism rate, meaning they do NOT end up back in Prison or worse.

Our Approach

We offer three components that prepare a gateway for the reentry individual to become law abiding and a well contributing member in society.

• Mentoring

• Job Training

• Job Placement/ Job Readiness.

The Branch believes employment will regenerate more personal support, stronger positive relationships, enhanced self-esteem, and improved mental health. Having a job contributes income to the individual and their families to help sustain their future endeavors. Job readiness, mentorship, and education prepares nonviolent returning citizens with a given knowledge that will help the individual to grow and develop. Infusing ambition and hope to these reentry individuals will nurture their weaknesses and challenge their strengths