A Non-Profit Corporation
Return To Honor
The Society for Return to Honor is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1989 in Sedona, Arizona, for the purpose of facilitating the re-integration of qualified, pre-selected former convicted felons into their communities. It serves as a community-based information gathering organization to assist groups and individuals in helping adult and juvenile offenders return to their communities as useful and contributing members. In the process, it is expected that participating communities will realize a significant reduction in the rate of repeat crimes committed by former felons and crimes committed by juveniles in general.
With over 1,600,000 men, women and adolescents in jails, prisons and detention centers in the United States, and an astonishing seventy to eighty percent of all inmates released from incarceration returning to jail or prison within the first year after their release, it is imperative that communities and individuals take meaningful steps toward understanding the true nature of criminal behavior, and addressing its causes rather than reacting to its effects. Of primary importance in so doing is understanding the Herculean task that faces even the most determined and highly-motivated former offenders as they fight a nearly impossible battle for acceptance and respectability in returning to their communities.
The simplest things most people take for granted are often formidable obstacles for the newly-released prisoner; a place to sleep, food to eat, clothes to wear, a job, transportation, and even deposits required for a place to live. Often lacking required social skills and personal resources, released prisoners face impossible odds in their attempts to make lasting and meaningful changes in their re-entry into society. Building upon a successful program of restoring dignity and purpose to lives of adult former offenders, a second and far more important aspect of the Society's operational plan will be the implementation of a juvenile diversion program in which successful former offenders will serve as counselors and facilitators ("big brothers/sisters") in re-directing the lives of juvenile offenders toward more productive and meaningful lives. Such a program has been identified and outlined, and has been well-received by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice (see Vernon Spears' letter to the late U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater.)
The Society for Return to Honor recognizes that the most critical need in any meaningful "re-entry" program or juvenile diversion project is compassion and willingness to understand the problems facing offenders of all ages. Its primary aim is to identify qualified, sincere participants who welcome assistance, to facilitate such understanding on all parts and to promote positive interaction between former offenders and members of their communities.
For more information, please contact Don Kirchner at 928-284-1898.
Don Kirchner
A Matter of Time
A Word of Support from John McCain
Don Kirchner attended Colorado State University before joining the U.S. Army in 1969 and serving a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Chief Warrant Officer and combat helicopter pilot.
Convicted in 1981 for his involvement with a marijuana smuggling operation in Florida and New Mexico, Don earned unprecedented commendations from his work in prison with other inmates. His first-hand experiences with inmates of all ages in federal prison inspired Don to address the desperate need for a support system for inmates upon release from prison. Within six months of his own release from federal prison in April of 1988, Don founded The Society for Return to Honor as an Arizona nonprofit corporation to facilitate the reentry of former criminal offenders back into society.
Don has written extensively on the subject of prison reform and human redemption, has published numerous letters, essays and short stories, and is currently self-publishing a book for writers and artists on the subject of turning creative passions into business. He currently lives in Sedona, Arizona, and Point Roberts, WA.
While serving time in prison, Don Kirchner noticed that the prison system was full of repeat offenders and, moreover, when a prisoner was released he was more likely to return to the system within 12 months than not. It was this realization that motivated Don to found the "Society for Return to Honor", a non-profit organization whose purpose is facilitating the re-integration of qualified convicted felons into their communities.
ABOUT HIS BOOK, "A MATTER OF TIME"
"A Matter of Time" is a high-action drama and a gripping story of one man's journey through his own personal hell as he struggles to find his way through the underworld of drug smuggling and, later, through the federal prison system faced with the prospect of doing twenty-five years. A true story of the indomitable human spirit overcoming apparently hopeless odds, "A Matter of Time" will excite you, intrigue you, warm your heart and inspire you, as the author takes you on a journey of discovery of the human shadow that keeps prisoners on both sides of the walls.
Part of proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Return to Honor organization.
What people are saying about A Matter of Time...
"I don't know how to thank you for writing such a book. I felt I was actually experiencing what you were. Your insight into human nature is unbelievable. As I read, somewhere in the recesses of my mind I was thinking about how my life experiences in dealing with people have turned out and how I could have made them different if I had been able to think as you do. I wish everyone could read this book. It would give them hope and compassion for others in a way that is not taught, but learned. I can't express how much better I feel about myself as well as others because of reading this. . .If more people in this world had your philosophies and beliefs it would be a much better place. Thank you for taking the time and enduring the pain to write this. It has had a profound impact on me."
~Chris Rudell
"As a co-author of A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and founder of Let's Talk, a company dedicated to saving one million marriages, I feel safe in saying that you have a marvelous book in print that will have a dramatic impact on everyone who reads it. You have a passion for writing and for making a positive difference in the lives of others, and I commend you for it. Get ready, Don it's your turn!"
~Barry Spilchuk
"Suffice it to say, your book has helped move me to a higher place; Thanks Don, for sharing this experience. It has served as my wake up call to continue my journey with my head held high and be actively involved in committing random acts of kindness."
~Alex Wilding
"I have been enjoying your book thoroughly it's a doozy! Truly, I am anxious to see it come to life on the Silver Screen! I have to add that I am impressed at your bravery for sharing such personal experiences with the world...and that (miraculously) the baring of your soul makes your smile even brighter. Thank you so much for sharing your book with me. It was a major highlight and I will treasure it always."
~Chelsea Evenstar
"Once I started your book, I could hardly put it down. I am now emotionally driven to let you know the impact this story has had on me. I wanted to immediately pick up the phone and call the Department of Corrections and say, Here am I, send me! Thank you, Don. This book will be shared by many. It needs to be read by everyone. Have you sent a copy to our President?"
~Juana Price
"As you know, the IBI Free Enterprise Forum is the network and business boot camp that launched Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen's Chicken Soup for the Soul . Your book appeals to the same 70 million readers. We know you have film projects and sequels in mind, but as a stand alone, blockbuster best-seller, we are confident that A Matter of Time is a huge money making smash for everyone involved. Congratulations on a perfect project. Your team is amazing and your marketing superior. We can see warp drive success for you and for everyone involved in the project. Thank you for taking us into your VICTORY for the HUMAN SPIRIT."
~Bernhard Dohrmann, Founder, Income Builders International
Watch the Video of Don Speaking to Prisoners
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Amazon Spotlight on "A Matter of Time"
A Matter of Time: A True Story
Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
While in prison, Don noticed that the prison system was full of repeat offenders and, moreover, when a prisoner was released he was more likely to return to the system within 12 months than not. It was this realization that motivated Don to found the "Society for Return to Honor", a non-profit organization whose purpose is facilitating the re-integration of qualified convicted felons into their communities. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Return to Honor organization. Read the Summary about the Society for Return to Honor or Read what Gorden Bernell says about the potential impact of this program.
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Netflix Movies
- 001- No Country for Old Men
A hunter (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon a dead body, $2 million and a stash of heroin in a Texas desert. He absconds with the cash, but brutal thief Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) comes looking for it, with a local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) on his trail. The roles of hunter and prey blur as the violent pursuits of money and justice collide. Joel and Ethan Coen direct this dark morality tale, which won four Oscars in 2008, including Best Picture.- 002- The Da Vinci Code
Based on Dan Brown's best-seller of the same name, Ron Howard's gripping film stars Tom Hanks as Harvard professor Robert Langdon and Audrey Tatou as cryptographer Sophie Neve, who must untangle a web of deceit when the curator of the Louvre, a member of a secret society and a relative of Neve's, is found murdered in the famed museum's hallowed halls. To crack the case and arrive at the truth, they must look to the works of Leonardo da Vinci.- 003- Déjà Vu
Déjà vu -- that powerful but fleeting sense that you've been here, or met someone, before. ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) finds himself dogged by that feeling as he investigates a bombing on a New Orleans ferry. Should he shrug off the unsettling sensation, or can it help him unravel the clues he needs to save hundreds of innocent people from disaster? Directed by Tony Scott, this thriller also stars James Caviezel and Val Kilmer.- 004- Syriana
George Clooney (who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Golden Globe for his role) plays CIA operative Bob Barnes in this political thriller by Stephen Gaghan. America is at the beck and call of the Middle East when it comes to the oil industry, and all its players -- Washington, sheiks, oil companies, field workers -- intersect with each other. The star-studded cast includes Matt Damon, Amanda Peet, Chris Cooper and Christopher Plummer.- 005- The Bourne Supremacy
When a CIA sting in Berlin turns murderously wrong, everyone suspects it's the handiwork of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). As the CIA hunts for their lost ex-killer Bourne, Bourne himself is pursued by a ruthless cartel bent on framing him up -- and leaving him dead. Franka Potente returns as Marie Helena Kreutz alongside Joan Allen as Agent Helen Landy.- Try Netflix free for 14 days
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ezrider
I've known Don for many years and have worked with him on getting his book out and on establishing the Society for Return to Honor. His book is memorable and his dedication to this cause is unmatched. Posted January 12, 2008 |
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