FAITH Fathers - Third Annual Dinner

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3rd Annual Dinner Scheduled for June 20, 2009!

The 3rd Annuanl Dinner Awards Ceremony will be held on June 20th, 2009. The event will take place at 700 South Livingston, Springfield, IL from 6pm-8pm.

This year our very special guest speaker is Lorenzo Louden. There will also be a magic show for the entire family.

Tickets are $25.00 per person. For more information please call 217-891-3350 or Email

Lorenzo Louden

Lorenzo Louden was born in 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas. At the age of one, his family moved to the Westside of Chicago. Every child should have a fair chance at success in life. But growing up on the Westside of Chicago in the 60s and 70s didn't always provide the best opportunities for a young black male raised without a father.

At the very tender age of twelve, he voluntarily became a member in a very prominent, but treacherous gang in the K-Town area of Chicago. His gang related activities led him to a life of crime and an extensive rap sheet. In 1977 he was arrested and held in the Cook County jail for approximately 2 1/2 years only to be sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 50-60 years as an indeterminate sentence. He was required to serve a minimum of ten years before qualifying for a parole review hearing.

While incarcerated, he came through the ranks of a soldier and was promoted to a gang chief for one of the largest street organizations in Chicago. This promotion established him as the chief of over 500 gang members in one of Illinois' three maximum-security facilities at that time. In 1987, he was afforded the opportunity to sever ties with this organization.

In 1991, he attended a church service led by a former inmate, who ironically was at one time his cellmate. During this service, his former cellmate preached an anointed word, which touched Lorenzo's heart and he gave his life to Christ. Lorenzo was baptized a few weeks later.

From 1987 to 1994 Lorenzo participated in seven parole hearings, which were held annually. Three weeks after the seventh parole hearing, Lorenzo was finally granted parole. Miraculously, he was then released within 24 hours of his parole notice, which was the first time in Illinois history that an inmate was expeditiously released. With such short notice he was without parole plans or an agent and paroled to Mount Vernon. He was required to make contact with the local parole office in Mount Vernon within three days of his release.

He then moved to Springfield and acquired full-time employment, later to become self-employed. Though faced with many test and trials of prison life for seventeen years, he acquired his GED and four associate degrees during that time. Lorenzo successfully served over 10 years on parole without incident and was released in November 2004.

Lorenzo's commitment to serving those in need extends to the areas of self-development, mentorship and encouragement. His compassion for people allows him to surpass cultural, racial and social boundaries. With a sincere commitment to the Lord, he is motivated to see success and victory in the lives of those who are at-risk of going to prison. He is an overcomer and purposefully uses his story to assist others in becoming successful members of society while reducing recidivism.

Lorenzo's life trajectory and God-given gifts and talents have all culminated in his role as the co-founder of Tower of Refuge, Inc., with his wife Bevey Louden. He and Bevey believe that they are fulfilling their life�s calling, as they actively contribute to the successful reintegration of former inmates into society while promoting reconciliation with their families. Due to his commitment to excellence in every area of endeavor, Mr. Louden has come to be well respected throughout the community for his ability to deliver tangible results in the lives of others.