Men find support, strength after prison through Holy Family House

Doug Austin, former inmate, became Catholic 20 years ago while in prison. Austin collaborated with Deacon Mark Geraty, volunteer coordinator for the Prison Ministry of the Diocese of Boise, to create a new Catholic, nonprofit, reentry house in Boise. (Courtesy photo)

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

A Catholic transitional house, the first in Idaho, for men transitioning from prison to society, is coming closer to reality.

“It’s on the launchpad, but we still need support to get it off the ground,” said Deacon Mark Geraty, who serves at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and is the volunteer coordinator for the prison ministry of the Diocese of Boise.

“We have done prison ministry in the Diocese very well,” said Deacon Geraty. The prison ministry of the Diocese of Boise provides the sacraments and spiritual support to incarcerated men and women across the state of Idaho. From Masses to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes, volunteers, both clergy and laity, ensure that the Church isn’t stopped by prison gates.

“During COVID, everything kind of cratered,” Deacon Geraty said. “But it gave us a chance to really take stock of what we were able to provide to those serving prison sentences.”

As restrictions enacted during the COVID pandemic of 2020 slowly lifted in 2022 and 2023, the prison ministry was able to return to providing its services. However, Deacon Geraty and others in the ministry wanted to add support to men and women leaving prison.

“The Reentry Conference of St. Vincent de Paul of Southwest Idaho does an excellent job, but we wanted to go another step further. We wanted to provide a Catholic transitional house,” Deacon Geraty said.

“About 95% of everyone who is incarcerated is going to leave prison at some point in their lives. They need to be met and brought into the community, and the Catholic Church, in particular, gives such a rational, constructive way for them to do it. From the monasteries to parishes, we know how to do community.”

Transitional homes offer men and women a place to live while they get back on their feet after prison.

“It’s really hard for people when they come out of prison,” Deacon Geraty explained. “They go from an environment where everything is chosen for them, everything is structured, to needing to make so many choices. It can be overwhelming.”

Doug Austin, who was incarcerated for 42 years, knows firsthand how vital community support is when leaving prison. He became Catholic through the Diocesan ministry more than 20 years ago. When he left prison at the beginning of 2024, he chose to go to a Christian, non-denominational house because there was no Catholic house.

While at the chancery about five months ago, Austin spoke with Bishop Peter Christensen.

The above logo is for the new Catholic reentry-transitional home in Boise, Holy Family House. (Courtesy photo)

An idea is born

“Bishop Peter asked Doug how he was doing. When he found out that Doug was staying in a faith-based house, he said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a Catholic house?’ Right then, a seed was planted,” Deacon Geraty said.

Austin discussed the idea with Dick Gallegos, who had volunteered in the Diocesan prison ministry for more than 20 years. Then Austin, Gallegos and Deacon Geraty met at a coffee shop with Mike Gallagher, one of the founders of the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Reentry Conference. From that moment, they knew it was time to create Holy Family House.

They reached out to Catholic Charities of Idaho (CCI) as they worked out the details of the house.

“Eddie Trask, executive director of Catholic Charities, was a huge help. Joe Egbert, digital media coordinator at the Diocese, also helped us a lot with building our website.”

Holy Family House is not affiliated with the Diocese of Boise, SVdP, or CCI. It is an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization. Austin is the president of the board, and Deacon Geraty is a board member. They and all the board members are dedicated to keeping a Catholic identity in Holy Family House. Currently, the house is for men only. They hope to expand in the future to include a house for women.

“We have some very generous benefactors to help get this started, and they wanted to be assured that we were going to present an authentic Catholic living environment. We are not going to present an ambiguous or lukewarm treatment of the Catholic faith,” he said.

“We want to provide the support, spiritually and physically, that the men need to successfully enter back into society. We want to provide Bible studies, rosaries and times for prayer. We also want volunteers from the Catholic community,” he continued. “We have been able to support a Catholic community for men in prison. We want to give them a Catholic community when they leave prison.”

Holy Family House will also support sober living.

“My experience with transition programs is that they are essential for individuals suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction to make a successful reentry into the community and the ability to become a contributing member of society,” said Matthew Geske, LCPC, clinical director of counseling at CCI. “This transitional program will also be a way for the Catholic community to support these brothers in Christ who are suffering.”

Although the structure for the organization is in place, Holy Family House is still looking for a physical house. They also need volunteers and financial support.

“There are a lot of expenses with a transitional house,” Deacon Geraty said. “When men get out of prison, they don’t have a job, and they probably don’t have a lot of money. It will be a requirement at the house for them to have a job, and there will be a program fee they will need to pay. But while finding employment, some will need a level of financial assistance. We also want volunteers, especially people willing to mentor them.”

If non-Catholics want to stay at the house, they are welcome, Deacon Geraty said. However, non-Catholics will be those interested in investigating the faith and willing to fully participate in the faith-based activities such as prayer, Mass and educational and formational events.

For more information about Holy Family House and to donate, visit idahoholyfamilyhouse.org.