Transformation Network began as a ministry of Park Street Brethren Church of Ashland, Ohio, in July 1999. From the inception of our calling the ministry has always sought to go beyond the walls of denominationalism, and has worked closely with women and men stuck in the welfare trap. We continue to affirm, as we did in the early stages of the ministry, that dependency on welfare is a lifestyle that God does not want for us; rather it is the responsibility of the Church to assist those who are unable to support themselves in overcoming life's disadvantages.

The next 12-18 months was a time of valuable learning and growth for the organization. Through our interaction with clients we discovered that many of the people who live in poverty are not in this lifestyle because society is against them; rather it is from generational behaviors and beliefs that individuals find themselves trapped in the cycle of poverty. Further, we found that most people in generational poverty do not value education, healthy lifestyles or regular church attendance. In fact, many people we encounter have out-of-wedlock births at a high rate, abuse drug and alcohol early in life, drop out of school to make money, participate in criminal activity, have been incarcerated and embrace a self-centered approach to life. These individuals are not equipped to access the opportunities available in our society. As a rule, most people in poverty qualify for free education, free healthcare, free food, free automobile purchases and repairs, drastically reduced or free housing, and the list of handouts continues. We believe in providing for the practical needs of every individual while educating those persons to access opportunities in the free market system.

In 2001, we purchased our current facility and began our WINGS life skills program in the Ashland County Jail. This program quickly became the cornerstone of the Transformation Network. In addition to continuing our WINGS program in Ashland County, we have provided this program to the Wayne County Jail since 2004. Our program in Ashland County enabled us to make connections with men and women in the jail who would either be released back into the community or sent on to prison. The more persons we met in jail meant the more people we were able to help once they left the jail or were released from prison.

Today, Transformation Network has the Liberty's Door program at work in Ashland, Erie and Huron Counties for men and women coming out of jail and prison with felonies. If you are interested in what we are doing please look at our web page and/or call the Transformation Network for more information.