ABOUT US

PURPOSE OF NON-PROFIT

Provide financial and practical assistance to individuals who were formerly incarcerated through a comprehensive approach to facilitate their transition to the community on a “no cost” or “low Cost” basis, for example, by providing rapid monetary grants or loans to address immediate needs for food, clothing, lodging, transportation, and job search assistance which focus on the gap in aid programs during the time period between the individual’s release from jail or prison until available support services can be arranged.

VALUES

Giving: We give of our time, services, and support to help those in need, foster a spirit of empathy and empowerment; and, to create a better community.

Purposeful: We are determined and intentional in achieving our goals by working together to provide the best possible outcomes for those going through the re-entry process.

Wisdom: We value the knowledge and experience of our partners. We seek to understand, to be discerning and to make wise decisions.

Achieving: We are a dedicated, high performing team continually increasing our services and resources to improve the lives of those we serve.

Respect: We believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of their background, age, gender, or ethnicity. It builds trust, promotes mutual understanding, effective communication, and a positive environment.

Collaboration: We come together with diverse skills, experience, and services to exchange perspectives and ideas. We engage in problem solving discussions that result in solutions that work. We coordinate resources and share information that help us achieve our mission.

HISTORY

On July 18, 2011, the first meeting to was convened to establish a Re-entry Council in Prince William County, Virginia. Several key stakeholders were invited to attend to include, but not limited to, District 35, Adult Probation and Parole, Prince William Regional Adult Detention Center, Department of Social Services, Community Services Board, Office of Criminal Justice Services, Juvenile Probation, Child Support Enforcement, Offender Aid and Restoration, members of the faith-based community and other non-profit agencies. It was determined at the first meeting that there was a great need and a true benefit to the community in establishing an interrelated Re-entry Program. However, like many Re-entry Councils and groups throughout the state and the nation, there was uncertainty as to how to proceed and how it was going to work in our jurisdiction. In 2012, it was determined that a Re-entry Council Steering Committee would be beneficial in the development of future goals and vision for the Re-entry Council. The Steering Committee was designed to include directors of state and local agencies and included representatives of the faith community, veterans' administration and non-profit organizations. The purpose was to help the Council build structure, ensure the coordination of services and identify areas of need.

Since 2011, the Re-entry Council has been involved with the community to establish supportive services for offenders being released to the community. The Re-entry Council assisted the Adult Detention Center in implementing Resource Fairs at the facility that started in November of 2012. These Resource Fairs have been held twice a year since the inaugural event.

Beginning in 2011, the Re-entry Council helped to develop and initiate Family Orientation (now known as Reentry Connections) events that are held in the community on a quarterly basis. Releasees and their families are encouraged to attend to learn of the vast array of services provided throughout the community. In addition to the typical state and local agencies and services, presenters include Parks and Recreation, Public Library, League of Women Voters, DMV, law enforcement, healthcare providers and Peer Support Specialists. The presenters provide a rapid-fire overview of the services offered. After the presentations, participants are encouraged to visit the vendors to obtain more information pertaining to their specific needs and interests. Over the years, these two events have assisted thousands of returning citizens and their families in engaging with available resources and assisting in successful reintegration. The Re-entry team also focused on homelessness as these individuals typically have the highest needs. The team coordinates needed community services, provides food, clothing, personal care hygiene products, mentors and transportation to community residential programs, a hotel or local shelter.

In 2015, the National Institute of Corrections announced its partnership with 3 states to expand Evidence Based Decision Making to multiple jurisdictions. Prince William County was one of only 6 sites selected in Virginia to receive Technical Assistance from NIC. Reentry was identified as one of the Change Targets as there existed a strong collaboration among the key stakeholders. During this process, a gap in bridging services from the jail to the community was identified. The Reentry work group agreed that the overarching goal was that the Greater Prince William Area offered continuity and delivery of Evidence Based Practices through Reentry Services to address criminogenic needs at the Adult Detention Center. We believed that this would reduce recidivism and reduce costs because fewer individuals would be coming back through the system. Through the partnership with state and local agencies, Reentry Council and other stakeholders, the Adult Detention Center developed a Re-entry Dorm that offered programming based on Evidence Based Practices, to include assessments and cognitive based learning.

Prince William County, like many other communities in the nation was faced with the Opioid epidemic. In 2017 and 2018, the Reentry Council participated in many community forums held at public schools and churches. The council members were there to offer information, education and support to those affected by the epidemic. They assisted in organizing the events, providing refreshments and direction and marketing. These forums included further collaboration with the FBI, DEA, local Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue agencies. The Reentry Council continues to be involved in community public safety outreach programs.

In September of 2018, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Federal Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime through multifaceted community collaboration also became of partner of our Re-entry team. Since joining, PSN and Federal Probation have been active participants and helped close a gap with those on Federal Probation Supervision being able to coordinate with local Re-entry services and participate in the many community Re-entry events.

In 2022, the Reentry Council achieved non-profit status (501 (c) 3) as a means to offer financial support for immediate and emergency needs that cannot be obtained through routine processes for services or resources due to time constraints or the circumstances. This has also enabled the Council to further identify gaps in service and resources that were otherwise unknown. Donations are tax deductible.

The Council has been growing through the years. Today we see an average of thirty (30) attendees at the Council meetings working to improve coordination of services, address reentry barriers and identify gaps in the reentry process. We continue to be excited about our mission and we are very proud of our achievements. However, we are most rewarded by the successes we witness of individuals who make it through the work of all our Council partners.