Every crime has a victim who should not be forgotten, ignored or disrespected. Understanding the plight of victims is an important component to true rehabilitation. Tonight we discuss victim awareness and restorative justice with John Sage of Bridges to Life. The mission of Bridges To Life (BTL) is to connect communities to prisons in an effort to reduce the recidivism rate (particularly that resulting from violent crimes), reduce the number of crime victims, and enhance public safety. The spiritual mission of Bridges To Life is to minister to victims and offenders in an effort to show them the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness. Bridges To Life was founded in 1998 by Houstonian John Sage after the brutal murder of his sister, Marilyn, in 1993. His sister’s killers were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. John began to realize the terrible toll his sister’s murder had taken on his life, the lives of everyone else in his family, Marilyn’s friend,s and the community. After reflection, prayer, and time, John was able to forgive his sister’s murderers; and he realized that he had a place in his heart for all offenders. This life-changing experience inspired John to develop a rehabilitation program to take crime victims into the prison to work directly with offenders. http://www.bridgestolife.org