Dismas Charities Inc. opens new center in Manchester

Assistance for people re-entering society after prison made its way to Eastern Kentucky on Thursday.

The 33rd Dismas Charities center opened in Manchester with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The facility initially opens for 27 live-in residents, and 14 others who will come to the center for services but will also do some of their release work from home.

Those benefiting from the center will stay close to their families.

"Families are an intricate part of the re-entry, the rehabilitation process, a lot of things have happened when they've been away, so that family reunification is just absolutely critical," Ray Weis who is the President and CEO of Dismas Charities Inc. said.

Weis said the new center will ultimately be able to house 48 residents.

Additionally, Dismas Charities' new Manchester location will provide employment and financial management along with assistance for drug and substance abuse to prisoners.

The training will help them begin their transition back into the community.

Officials said having people stay in Eastern Kentucky will benefit the rate of job growth in the mountains.

"This fills a big void, not just for Manchester and Clay County, but the entire region, so this helps people who live here, have family here and want to come back here, this helps them stay here," Republican U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers said.

Congressman Rogers said the Dismas Charities facility will bring nearly 20 jobs to the area.