LITE was part of Harvest Coffee’s “Better Together” event in April. Tammy Cotton was on the panel with law enforcement, Bowen Center, Exodus Ministries and Compass. Shown from left are Chris McKeand of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Jim Smith, Mike Murphy of Bowen Center, Ben Irvine of Exodus Ministries, Tammy Cotton of LITE and Kristin Steffen of Compass. Photo provided by Chris Cotton.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Living in Transition Effectively is dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals in Kosciusko County transition effectively back into their community upon release.

Tammy Cotton and her husband Chris Cotton founded the 501c3 nonprofit organization.

The organization is based off scripture from Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Chris Cotton said his wife Tammy Cotton was really the driving force behind LITE. She used to be on the board at the Rose Garden Recovery Community in Syracuse.

The couple had a daughter previously incarcerated. Their daughter said when she was an inmate many of the same women would be coming in and out of the jail.

The Cottons were inspired to do something. Initially, Tammy Cotton had a key fob and desk at the jail in 2018-19. The couple has continually worked with inmates inside the Kosciusko County Jail, offering resources and addressing each inmate’s needs to help prepare them for healthy reintegration into society upon their release.

LITE provides educational, vocational, spiritual and relational support and training. Though LITE was inspired by the faith of it’s founders, the organization is very clear that it’s open to inmates of all faiths and beliefs.

LITE believes in an inside/outside approach and that the process of recovery and rehabilitation for inmates starts immediately on intake. The organization provides discussion groups, writing classes, training, book studies and educational opportunities inside the jail.

Outside of working with the inmates in the jail, the organization recently opened the LITEhouse Recovery Residence in Milford. LITE is part of the Milford Methodist Meeting House, 210 W. Catherine St. and jointly offers recovery groups, educational classes, support groups and community events for former inmates and loved ones of current inmates.

The organization is led by volunteers.

LITE operates with the belief that “we’re all in recovery from something.” The meeting house is a safe environment for former inmates to get the love and support they need to help them reintegrate into society.

The community is “membership driven,” meaning there are certain expectations that need to be met before and after membership. Accountability is essential to recovery and successful reintegration into society.

These expectations include: participating in a weekly Recovery Circle, helping with chores in and around the building and working to bring others along the same path.

They ask that people abstain from substances and alcohol for the 24 hours immediately preceding attendance and participation.

Chris Cotton said, “Our long-term vision is to have LITE in every town and corner of this county and then eventually start going across county lines.”

Tammy Cotton added, “What works for one person doesn’t always work for everybody. Our goal is for nobody to fall through the cracks. If we can’t help them, we’ll find someone who can.”

Chris Cotton teaches a class called FreeWriters where inmates receive a composition notebook and are given writing prompts to express their feelings and ideas.

He said, “This really helps break the ice. Many of them have never felt empowered to express an idea or think outside the box. They’re writing prompts I never thought of that are so deep and personal.”

Kelly Bradley helps teach the women’s FreeWriters classes.

FreeWriters was founded by former prosecutor Nate Johnson in Hennepin County, Minn.

Chris Cotton said he was just talking with an inmate who gets out in August and told him to come to the meeting house.

The LITE Recovery Cafe at the meeting house will open in August and be open from 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Each session will consist of Recovery Circles, a meal, school of recovery, resource meetings and socializing.

Access to computers, Wi-Fi and connections are provided for members.