Founding Members (Released)
Florence "Penny" McDonald
Executive Director
Regina Russell
Program Director
Linda B. Chester
Support Services Director
Pastor Dr. Larry Anderson
Chairman
Pastor Darryl Dade
Vice Chairman
Dr. Thomas E. Robinson
Founder SCI-Phoenix, Chairman
Jorge H. Cintron Jr.
Co-Chairman
Dr. Thomas Robinson is the founder and chairman of the Community Forgiveness and Restoration Initiative (CFRI), a faith-based reentry movement designed to support individuals transitioning from incarceration through healing, education, and purpose-driven transformation. After more than 27 years of incarceration, during which he experienced a profound spiritual awakening, Dr. Robinson was inspired to create CFRI on the life-affirming principles of Christianity to address recidivism and offer holistic support. He holds doctoral degrees in Theology and Christian Counseling, serves as a preacher of the gospel, and works as a dedicated jailhouse legal assistant, providing both spiritual and legal guidance to incarcerated citizens. His leadership, rooted in ministry, education, and justice, laid the foundation for CFRI’s launch in 2015 and its evolution into a community-supported network offering wraparound services for returning citizens and their families.
Jorge H. Cintron, Jr. is a Co-Founder, Co-Creator, and the Internal Co-Chairman of CFRI. He is a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) and a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS). Health First Aid Certified and WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified. He has been incarcerated since September 1996. Jorge has spent the majority of his incarceration dedicated to serving trauma-impact individuals. Jorge uses the same tools and resources in his facilitation that has helped him transform into the person he has become today, which are: the spiritual principles of his faith as a Christian, and the training he acquired as a Certified Peer Specialist and a Certified Recovery Specialist in his role as a CFRI Internal Facilitator to help transform the minds and behavior of other incarcerated men. Jorge's ultimate goal is to serve and help heal and strengthen the community he once harmed.
Steve Colegrove
Steve Colegrove is a Co-founder and an Internal Facilitator of CFRI. He is Mental Health First Aid Certified and WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified, and an Air Force Veteran. He recognized a significant problem in the recidivism rate in the Pennsylvania Prison System, and wanted to help develop a program centered on the practical application of basic faith principles. Drawing on research and experience, Steve recognized that individuals being released from prison or incarceration who have a firm faith foundation and support system have an increased chance of long-term success upon their reentrance into their community.
Frederick Page
Frederick Page is a Co-Founder of CFRI and a Facilitator. He has achieved a Bachelor's Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies from Villanova University, while having minors in Theology. He is also Mental Health First Aid Certified and WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified. From the inception of CFRI, Frederick's advice, insight and support has been tremendously valuable when developing our internal curriculum. Frederick Page is a Bible scholar who relies upon his faith and spiritual principles when facilitating workshops.
Frederick has applied the skills he acquired through his own personal experiences when counseling other residents. He has provided others with the necessary skills and training to make their successful re-entry into their community and become contributing members of society.
Warren Summers
Warren Summers is WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified and Mental Health First Aid Certified. He is a man of faith who is dedicated to serving God by serving humanity. He is a trusted advisor and a Co-facilitator of the Godly Character workshop. He is a very articulate speaker who is skilled in helping participants get a better understanding of their negative behavior and how to overcome it through faith-based principles.
Robert Wilson
Robert Wilson is WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified, a Hospice Volunteer, and Mental Health First Aid Certified. Robert started with CFRI as a participant. After completing our 16-week internal workshops, he became a Co-facilitator of the CFRI Internal workshops. As part of CFRI's Internal Civil Education workshop, the participants are encouraged to publicly share their knowledge of Civics to a large group. It was the participants' fear of public speaking that inspired CFRI's Public Speaking workshop. This resulted in Robert becoming a Co-facilitator of our Civil Education and Public Speaking workshops. Robert is a dedicated member of CFRI's Internal Board. His ideas and hard work is greatly valued.
Lloyd Reid
Lloyd Reid is well respected in the Muslim community. He graduated from Villanova, receiving his Bachelor's in Liberal Arts. He is WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified and Mental Health First Aid Certified. Lloyd is also a tutor at SCI-Phoenix who has seen the need for residents at SCI-Phoenix to better understand Victimization and Public Speaking. He is the lead facilitator of both of these workshops. He believes that educating others in the area of victimization and training them to properly express themselves using their words will promote public safety and prevent criminal behavior in our communities.
Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez is a Christian and Bible Teacher. He began as a participant of CFRI at SCI-Phoenix. He has become a valued member of CFRI. His dedication and hard work has helped CFRI's Internal Board mission of re-entry to progress. His altruism has a positive impact on everyone he interacts with.
Romanus Miles
Romanus Miles is a Bible Teacher who utilizes his faith and spiritual principles to help others become the best version of themselves. He is very creative and goes above and beyond to help others.
Frank Lopez
Frank Lopez was a participant of CFRI until COVID shut the country down. Since then, he has become a member of CFRI, who does whatever he can to help CFRI's progress in all its initiatives.
CFRI/SCI-Phoenix Health Fair Committee
John Brookins
John Brookins is a member of the CFRI/SCI-Phoenix Health Fair Committee. He has achieved Certification in Yoga, Nutrition and Diet, Physical Fitness and Conditioning, and Wellness. He has developed many programs which have been implemented in the SCI-Graterford/Phoenix Activities Department, and now for our Health Fair Program.
Brian Charles
Brian Charles is a member of the CFRI/SCI-Phoenix Health Fair Committee. He is WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified. Brian Charles is passionate about bringing healthy living to the population at SCI Phoenix. He is a diligent worker in all aspects of our Health Fair program. His creativity introduces practical solutions to incarcerated individuals
Earl Gale
Earl Gale is a member of the CFRI/SCI-Phoenix Health Fair Committee. He is WRAP I (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Certified and a licensed barber. Earl is a Villanova University student who is close to receiving his Bachelor's Degree. He strives to improve his community by volunteering with positive organizations.
Thanks:
We want to thank the SCI-Phoenix Administration for allowing us to partner with its Medical Department's Health Fair Program. This is an excellent and much-needed program not only for the incarcerated population, but also for those in the broader community.
CFRI wants to give a special thanks and acknowledgment to Mrs. V.O. SCI- Phoenix's Health Fair Director. It is because of her compassion and love of God that the Health Fair Program at SCI-Phoenix has been a great success. We greatly appreciate you, Mrs. V.O!
