For an afternoon on May 1, 2019, a group of 65 people met at Goodwill in Johnston to talk about reentry efforts in Iowa. The meeting was designed to build connections between organizations doing similar work. There were those providing health care, others offering housing or employment or mentoring. But mostly, it was a room filled with those willing to be supportive and encouraging to those leaving prison and rebuilding their lives on the outside.
Thanks to Katrina Carter and other DOC staff who attended. Also, thanks to Randi Radosevich of St. Vincent de Paul and Deb Theeler from Freedom Houses for her assistance.
The plan is to make this an annual event. The most common refrain from the evaluations concerned the need for more time.
