What Went Wrong? is a booklet that offers youth in juvenile detention (and incarcerated adults) an opportunity to learn about Christ and enroll themselves in an effective Bible correspondence program. This program is called the BALM Mailbox Club^™ through Be A Lighthouse Ministries, Inc.

This program has been around since 2005. The director of BALM,  was the director, of the original What Went Wrong? / 2^nd Chance program while working for the world’s largest children’s ministry, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). The program has reached over 15,000 youth in detention plus, tens of thousands of adult prisoners and their children.

Rationale for the What Went Wrong?program

• Fact: In 1980 there were 500,000 prisoners in America; in 1990, one million; and today there are 2.2 million prisoners incarcerated in this country.

• Fact: There are more than ten million children who have a parent under some form of correctional supervision.

• Fact: According to U.S. Senate Report (Report 106-404 September 8, 2000), children of prisoners are six times more likely than other children to be incarcerated at some point in their lives. Without effective intervention strategies, as many as 70 percent of these children will become involved with the criminal justice system.

• Fact: We must break the cycle of children becoming prisoners themselves. With this critical need in mind, it is our goal to put the What Went Wrong? booklet in the hands of every youth in every detention center in this country.

• Fact: Without intervention the youth in juvenile detention are at extremely high risk of becoming involved with the Department of Corrections as adults. The What Went Wrong? program can be an effective part of their treatment.

Everyone enjoys getting mail—especially students in detention or prison. The BALM Mailbox Club^™ offers age specific lessons for children and adults. Each student that enrolls will receive a series of Bible lessons. The lessons deal with the tough issues such as anger, drugs, forgiveness, empathy and etc. Upon completion of each series of lessons the student will receive a certificate of completion. There is no charge for the lessons or the certificate.

Benefits of the What Went Wrong? program:

1. Student’s focus is shifted from self to family and society

2. Student is better prepared for reentry into the family unit by building positive family relationships

3. Student’s life is positively affected through Bible correspondence courses and discipleship

4. Student’s life positively impacted by building character and teaching morals for successful life skills

5. Student’s understanding of the need to change from the inside out is increased (internal vs. external).

6. Good decision making skills are increased as a natural byproduct of this program.

The student’s self esteem is raised by completing the short term and intermediate goals that are built into the program. Every time a student completes a series of lessons, we’ll send them a diploma – a certificate that says they’ve finished the course.