Faith-based Program Aims To Help Criminals And Victims

Police chaplains and area churches learned about a nationwide ministry called "Healing Communities" Thursday.

It's a faith-based program that teaches churches how to step up and take positive action to help criminals and victims heal from the impact of violence.

Edith Shoals, of the group, Families of Murdered Children, said "Healing Communities" is right on time.

"We need to start healing our whole city - North, South, East, and West - because there's problems everywhere. Everybody's hurting in every church," Shoals said.

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Chaplain, Ken Farnham, said, "We are told to go out and find those that are being oppressed and are in prison and to help them. That's what this program does. It helps them not get to our place in the first place."

Once training is complete, the city hopes to launch "Healing Communities" in early August.