Over 30 organizations across the Commonwealth have built a comprehensive tool aimed at connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with the supports needed for a fresh start
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 10, 2020)— Today, a group of over 30 supporting organizations launched a Kentucky Reentry Resource Guide for those returning to their communities after incarceration.
The reentry hub is geared toward connecting these individuals with resources available throughout the Commonwealth, and it can be accessed at kysmartoncrime.com and kyvoicesforhealth.org.
“This tool has exceeded our expectations,” said Amanda Hall, ACLU of Kentucky Smart on Crime Policy Strategist. “We knew Kentucky lacked a centralized source of information for those exiting the system, so it’s been incredible to see so many groups step up to the plate. There is a widespread recognition that we must do better by providing more resources for folks who are returning from incarceration.”
The guide covers everything from employment, to education, to mental health, to veteran services, to substance use disorder, to insurance, to housing and utilities, voting, expungement and more.
“Justice reform and reentry must be inclusive to those directly impacted to make decisions and build the communities and families we all desire,” said Savvy Shabazz, President of All of Us or None, a grassroots civil & human rights organization fighting for the rights of formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families.
Supporting organizations and individuals include:
Alaina Combs, The Healing Place
Amanda Hall, ACLU of Kentucky
Amelia Kirby, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
Angela Cooper, Kentucky Voices for Health, Healthy Reentry Coalition of Kentucky
Beth Davidson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Brandy Troxell, Department of Public Advocacy
Brent Welsh, Oxford House
Brittany Herrington, Peer Program Coordinator – Pathways
Ciara Warren, Louisville Health Department
Dawn Gasser, Alternative Sentencing Program Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Gene Detherage Jr., Engagement & Outreach Specialist for Kentucky, The Fletcher Group
Hannah King, DOC Division of Addiction Services, Program Administrator
Jackie MeGhee-Rutledge, Center for Employment Opportunities
Jessica Klein, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
Jolie Scott, Opportunity Network, Dish on Market
Judi Jennings, Louisville Family Justice Advocates
Julius Johnson, Director of Reentry Services, Lexington Rescue Mission
Kathy Salomon,Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
Keturah Herron, ACLU of Kentucky
Kim Scott, Pike County Department of Public Advocacy
Kita Clement, Department of Public Advocacy
Laura Carr, Lexington Rescue Mission
Lindsay Horseman, Department of Public Advocacy, Alternative Sentencing
Mandy Simpson, Metro United Way
Marcus Jackson, Louisville Urban League
Marty Johnson, Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Reentry Services
Courtney Ham, Healthy Reentry Coalition, Co-Chair
Mikayle Hart, Alternative Sentencing Worker for DPA
Miranda Deaton, Louisville Metro Government, Opportunity Network /Criminal Justice Commission
Missy Harvey Columbia, KY Alternative Sentencing Worker
Olivia Spradlin, Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Patricia Short, Regional Resource Manager – OUD program with Pathways
Phoebe Embry, Department of Public Advocacy, Alternative Sentencing
Rebecca Barker, DOC Reentry
Rev. Dean Bucalos, Mission Behind Bars and Beyond
Roger Fox, Shepherds House
Sara Clevenger, Department of Public Advocacy
Savvy Shabazz, The Bail Project, All of Us or None Louisville, Life Coach Each One Teach One Reentry Fellowship
Selena Coomer, The Prisoner’s Hope
Shameka Parrish-Wright, The Bail Project, Operations Manager
Sheila Schuster, KY Mental Health Coalition
Steve Davis, Transitioning Partners
Tialisha Lumpkin, Catholic Charities of Louisville, Kentucky Criminal Justice Forum
Tyra Walker, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression
About Kentucky Smart on Crime:
Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition working for common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote cost effective sentencing alternatives. Partner organizations include American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, Kentucky Council of Churches, Catholic Conference of Kentucky, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. and Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Kentucky Youth Advocates. For more information, visit: kysmartoncrime.com or @kysmartoncrime on Twitter.
I was really proud to get to help collaborate and work on this project. It’s so inspiring to see so many people recognize that the ability of people to successfully turn their lives around requires many faces and many voices. We have so many resources in our state but oftentimes we fail to connect the pieces in a meaningful way so that individuals have a clear path to success. Rarely does someone fail to successfully reenter society through some inherent moral failing or lack for willingness to work towards a better life, most often they simply fail to be directed toward the appropriate resources and support systems.