Living in Transition Effectively offers hope to current and former inmates

Living in Transition Effectively is dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals in Kosciusko County transition effectively back into their community upon release.

Tammy Cotton and her husband Chris Cotton founded the 501c3 nonprofit organization. The organization is based off scripture from Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Chris Cotton said his wife Tammy Cotton was really the driving force behind L.I.T.E. She used to be on the board at the Rose Garden Recovery Community in Syracuse.

The couple had a daughter previously incarcerated. Their daughter said when she was an inmate many of the same women would be coming in and out of the jail.

The Cottons were inspired to do something. Initially, Tammy Cotton had a key fob and desk at the jail in 2018-19. The couple has continually worked with inmates inside the Kosciusko County Jail, offering resources and addressing each inmate’s needs to help prepare them for healthy reintegration into society upon their release.

L.I.T.E. provides educational, vocational, spiritual and relational support and training. Though L.I.T.E. was inspired by the faith of it’s founders, the organization is very clear that it’s open to inmates of all faiths and beliefs. and relation-

L.I.T.E. believes in an inside/ outside approach and that the process of recovery and rehabilitation for inmates starts immediately on intake. The organization provides discussion groups, writing classes, training, book studies and educational opportunities inside the jail.

Outside of working with inmates in the jail, the organization recently opened the L.I.T.E.house Recovery Residence in Milford.

L.I.T.E. is part of the Milford Methodist Meeting House, 210 W. Catherine St. and jointly offers recovery groups, educational classes, support groups and community events for former inmates and loved ones of current inmates.

The organization is led by volunteers.

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