Impactful Reentry
For the Reentry Team, 2024 was a year of highs and lows. Men and women participants were released back into their communities, and our team diligently walked alongside them as part of our reentry programs.
Some of the highs this year were truly remarkable. One standout moment involved “James,” a participant who was released back into his community and received his very own vehicle from a generous donor. James hadn’t operated a vehicle in more than 15 years, so the learning curve of getting back behind the wheel has been, well, bumpy—both literally and figuratively. Still, James remains in high spirits and confident he’ll master driving soon, proving that our reentry assistance program can open doors to everyday life again.
Another high point was for “Jessica,” who started a job as a dental hygienist—her dream job. Initially, she was reluctant to apply, as past employers had rejected her because of her mistakes. Her community navigator gently encouraged her—and then not so gently urged her—to take a leap of faith and try one more time. She did, and she got the job! Now, Jessica is earning a good income and, even better, doing what she loves. This success story illustrates the power of our employment reentry programs to turn ambition into opportunity.
The lows this year were familiar yet no less disheartening. Drug addiction and mental‑health challenges remain formidable obstacles for our participants. Tragically, we lost one of our participants, “Steve,” who passed away after battling addiction. We laid him to rest over the summer and had the honor of attending his home‑going ceremony. The service was beautiful, filled with loved ones and friends who cared deeply for Steve. His family remains connected to us, and we will continue to support them in any way we can. This loss was particularly hard on our team, but we remain committed to fighting for our participants because they deserve it.
A new addition to our reentry services in 2024 was RISE: Impact, created to provide volunteer opportunities for RISE graduates in the community. The response has been incredible. We’ve helped Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lincoln by decorating their offices for Christmas, fed the unhoused population at Matt Talbot Kitchen, prepared food and stocked shelves at the Siena Francis House in Omaha, and will soon be assisting Connection Point in Lincoln with serving their community. It has been inspiring to watch our participants respond to the needs of their community and give back so selflessly, a core principle of our reentry programs.
We look forward to an even more exciting 2025. Our team remains dedicated to the mission with which we’ve been entrusted. This work is deeply personal to us, and our passion to serve is as strong as ever.
