Weekend Dates

Weekend Dates at Kairos of Texas Polunsky Unit

Weekend dates at Kairos of Texas Polunsky Unit offer a unique opportunity for meaningful connection and personal growth. These special occasions are designed to strengthen relationships, foster understanding, and create lasting memories for participants and their loved ones. Held in the welcoming atmosphere of our facility in Livingston, Texas, these weekends are more than just events; they’re transformative experiences that focus on spiritual renewal and emotional healing. Each session includes engaging activities, heartfelt discussions, and a supportive community that encourages individuals to explore their faith and relationships deeply. Join us for a weekend that could change your life and strengthen your bonds with those who matter most.

What Are Weekend Dates?

Weekend Dates are structured gatherings held at the Polunsky Unit, designed for individuals who are incarcerated, their families, and volunteers. The gatherings typically take place over a weekend and involve a series of activities aimed at promoting personal growth and emotional healing. Each session is carefully planned to encourage participants to express themselves, share their stories, and learn from one another.

The program is built around various themes such as forgiveness, trust, and self-discovery. Through engaging activities, participants can explore these topics in a safe and supportive environment. This format allows individuals to reflect on their lives, acknowledge their struggles, and discover new pathways to hope and healing.

Weekend Leaders for Kairos Polunsky:

Date
Leader
Kairos # 55 Weekend at the
Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas:
October 16th - 19th, 2025
Wayne Hale
Kairos 56 - November 12-13, 2025
Death Row at Polunsky Unit
Purvis Harper
April 2026
Lance Stephens
July 2026
Ron Cass
October 2026
Wesley Padgett

The Benefits of Participating

Connection with Others

Weekend Dates facilitate meaningful connections among participants. Sharing personal experiences fosters empathy and understanding, creating a sense of belonging that can be transformative.

Personal Growth

The program encourages self-reflection and personal development. Participants engage in discussions that challenge them to think critically about their choices, beliefs, and aspirations.

Supportive Environment

Kairos of Texas provides a safe space for individuals to express their feelings without judgment. Participants can share their vulnerabilities and receive encouragement from peers and volunteers.

Building Trust

Trust is a crucial component of personal growth. Through group activities and discussions, participants learn the importance of trust in relationships and how it can be rebuilt over time.

Enhanced Communication Skills

Weekend Dates include various interactive exercises that improve communication skills. Participants learn to express their thoughts and feelings more effectively, which is essential for rebuilding relationships with family and friends.

Program Structure

The Weekend Dates program typically begins with an orientation session, where participants are introduced to the guidelines and objectives of the gathering. This is followed by a series of engaging activities, which may include

Inside Kairos Polunsky: Stories from Prison Ministry Work

Icebreakers and Team-Building Exercises

These activities help participants feel comfortable and foster camaraderie within the group.

Group Discussions

Facilitated discussions encourage participants to share their thoughts on various topics, allowing for deeper connections and insights.

Workshops

Interactive workshops focus on themes such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and goal setting. These workshops provide participants with practical tools they can apply in their daily lives.

Reflection Time

Participants have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share their insights with the group. This time fosters personal growth and allows for deeper understanding.
Transforming Lives Through Prison Ministry at Kairos Polunsky

Closing Ceremony

The weekend concludes with a closing ceremony, where participants share their thoughts about the experience. This is a time that the community can attend. To attend closing please complete this application.

The Role of Volunteers

Volunteers play a vital role in the success of the Weekend Dates program. They provide support, guidance, and encouragement to participants, creating an atmosphere of trust and respect. Volunteers are typically individuals who have undergone training and have a genuine desire to help others.

Their involvement not only enriches the experience for participants but also helps volunteers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals who are incarcerated. This mutual exchange of support and encouragement is at the core of the Kairos of Texas philosophy.

Who Can Participate?

Weekend Dates are open to men in white who are incarcerated at the Polunsky Unit, as well as community volunteers that participate in the prison and those who support outside the prison.    
Family members of incarcerated individuals are encouraged to participate in Kairos Outside in order to understand the experiences of their loved ones better. This involvement can be a crucial step in the healing process for families, helping them navigate the challenges of incarceration and develop stronger relationships.

How to Get Involved

If you're interested in participating in the Weekend Dates program or would like to volunteer, getting involved is simple. You can reach out to Kairos of Texas Polunsky Unit through their website or contact information to learn more about upcoming events, training sessions for volunteers, and ways to contribute.

The Impact of Weekend Dates

The Weekend Dates program has the potential to create a lasting impact on participants and their families. By fostering connections, promoting personal growth, and building a supportive community, Kairos of Texas is helping individuals navigate the challenges they face and empowering them to create a brighter future.

Many participants have shared transformative experiences from their time at Weekend Dates. They often express feelings of hope, healing, and renewed purpose. These gatherings provide a unique opportunity for individuals to explore their identities, confront their pasts, and envision a better future.

Join Us for Weekend Dates

Participating in Weekend Dates at Kairos of Texas Polunsky Unit is an enriching experience that offers hope, connection, and growth. If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can foster a supportive community where individuals can heal, grow, and thrive.

Let’s Make a Difference Together

Ready to impact lives at the Polunsky Unit? At Kairos of Texas, we believe everyone deserves a second chance. Whether you're interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more about our ministry, reach out! Your involvement can foster hope and transformation. Together, let’s create lasting change!

Statement of Faith

The people of Kairos are called by God to share the love of Christ with those impacted by incarceration. Kairos encourages believers from a variety of Christian traditions to be volunteers in this Christ-filled ministry.

Kairos programs offer to prison residents, their families, and those who work with them the opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ, and to grow in their faith and servant hood in Christian community. We stand on the common ground of the following elements of faith:

We in Kairos believe:

  •  The Bible is God’s authoritative and inspired word for our faith and our lives.
  •  In the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  •  In the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  •  Friendship with God is a free gift, for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
  •  The love of Jesus Christ motivates His followers to provide food for the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome to the stranger, clothes for the naked and visits to the sick and those in prison.
  •  In sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with all incarcerated individuals, their families and to those who work with them inside and outside the correctional institution.

Agreement

By my signature, as a faithful member on a Kairos Inside team:

  1. I will obtain a current Kairos Inside manual. I will read the manual and I will follow the program as it is presented in the Kairos Inside manual with no unauthorized additions or deletions.
  2. I will make every effort to attend ALL team meetings. I understand that if I miss these team meetings, I could be dismissed from the team.
  3. After becoming familiar with the program, as a Christian I agree to support, in good faith, the Weekend activities, as well as the theological and scriptural content of the Talks/Meditations outlined in the Kairos Inside manual.
  4. I am a Christian and I have read and agree with the Mission Statement, the Vision Statement, the CORE Values, and the Statement of Faith of Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc.