Since late 2015, GEO's Kingman Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility has enjoyed a great partnership with Joni and Friends, a service organization for people with disabilities.
The Wheels for the World program at Joni and Friends has 400+ volunteers in America who collect used wheelchairs that could end up in landfills. Instead, the wheelchairs are delivered to one of thirteen correctional facilities where inmates restore the wheelchairs to like-new condition.
Kingman CRF's Cerbat Unit employs approximately twenty-five inmates in its wheelchair restoration shop. The inmates take great pride in producing exceptional wheelchairs that will improve the quality of life for other human beings. They also repair walkers, crutches, and canes.
Inmates assigned to the restoration program typically express joy in giving back to mankind by helping those who are less fortunate. As of June 2021, Kingman inmates have restored over 14,000 wheelchairs.
Restored wheelchairs and other mobility equipment are eventually loaded by the inmates into ocean freight containers for shipment to under-developed countries. Upon arrival to other countries, missionaries and country representatives coordinate efforts to give the wheelchairs and other mobility equipment to people in need. Each recipient is also provided a bible and other religious materials.
Paul Dorthalina, Director of Wheels for the World, works closely with the Kingman operation and the other twelve correctional facilities that restore wheelchairs. Mr. Dorthalina offered the following comment about the partnership between Kingman CRF and Joni and Friends: "We appreciate the working relationship we have with GEO and Kingman CRF. The Wheels for the World program run by Ms. Smith (Program Coordinator) is on target to restore their 15,000th wheelchair by the end of 2021!"
The unique partnership between GEO's Kingman CRF and Joni and Friends is helping to improve the lives of thousands of people and families living with disabilities around the world.
