Reentry St. Louis

I am reasonably confident that everyone would agree the following statements are utterly ridiculous.

If you've ever spent time in a garage - you are a mechanic.

If you've ever read a cookbook - you are a chef.

As such, it is also ridiculous to say that going to church or reading the Bible makes you a good person.

It's okay to change your thinking at any time about what's happening in our country.

I've written similar words.

They are inmates. Criminals. Most of them, felons.

I know every one of their names.
I know which one is in jail for possession.
Which one is here for driving without a license.
Which one is behind bars for a probation violation tied to a charge from ten years ago.

But I also know their children’s names.
I know where their kids go to school.
I know who is devastated to be missing his son’s kindergarten graduation.
Who won’t be there for the birth of his child in July.
Who will miss his daughter’s first birthday on the 31st of May.

I know which ones chose to stay two months longer than required, because they believe this program is their best shot at starting over.

I know who builds up their peers.
Who only has a 7th-grade education, while also being the highest scorer on the college placement test.

Who races up the stairs to open the door for us without fail.

Who doesn’t have anyone putting money on their books and who shares his snacks with the ones who don’t.

I know who has their diploma or GED and who offers to tutor the ones still working toward theirs.

I know which one will tease me for being fancy and having no street cred. Spoiler alert: it’s all of them.

I know which former employer called and said,
“When he’s out, we want him back. He was exceptional. We were ready to promote him.”

I know which one never leaves class without walking out, yelling
“Love you guys! Thank you for everything! See you next week!”

They are inmates.

But they are also fathers, sons, coworkers, neighbors and people trying to do better.

Second chances matter. And when we choose to see the whole person, not just the mistake, we give hope room to grow.

I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to do this work.
To walk alongside them. To believe in them, sometimes before they believe in themselves.

DOn't quIT !

Quote of the day.

Today is the annual Give STL Day. It's the day where we open our hearts and wallets to support the nonprofits we love.

As you are considering which organizations to support this year, I ask you to please read the following story and donate to Reentry St.Louis.

"Imagine there was an accident 10 years ago that put you in a coma and subsequently a long-term care home. During these 10 years, the facility kept you alive, but many of your family and friends either passed away or moved on to other adventures.

It's been deemed by the facility where you have been "living" that you are well enough to leave, and now you must do so. They find you a place, without much investigation or input on your part, for you to go. They get you a cab, hand you the belongings you came in with, and say "Good luck."
What the "home" didn't realize is the place they approved for you to go isn't truly appropriate. It is often the same type of place where the original "accident" happened. You have no money, no one will hire you, you can't find a place to live that will rent to you, and you have no real close support. What would you do?"

This, my friends, is the plight of numerous people being released from incarceration. The lost years of society and family quickly take their toll. Left to struggle with acclimating to a new society, accidents regularly occur that send them back to the comatose long-term care facility a.k.a. incarceration.

We need to end this cycle.

Most of us have made mistakes. Some of us made mistakes that we should have gone to prison for...and somehow didn't. For some, this has occurred more than once.

People that do go to prison are just that - PEOPLE. People that deserve the chance to be successful. That is where you come in. Give them the respect and support necessary not to end up in "the home" again.

▪︎If you own a business, hire a felon - their work ethic and will to succeed will blow your mind.

▪︎If you have a few extra bucks, donate to Reentry St. Louis.

▪︎If you've got time, volunteer to provide transportation to and from jobs, support groups, and other appointments.

▪︎If you ever wondered what justice-involved people want, it is the opportunity to be a productive members of the community and give back all they can.

Reentry St.Louis has a goal to unify this system. It's going to take money to do this well. Your donations will help fix a broken system.

Please share this with you family and friends.

Please donate to Reentry St. Louis.

Give STL Day
https://mtyc.co/19003g

Our website
www.restl.org

Thank you in advance.

Kathy Youngbauer, Reentry St. Louis Founder

Support Reentry St. Louis on Give STL Day

Please don't be a statistic. Help is available when you're ready.

https://www.aa.org/find-aa

https://www.narcotics.com/na-meetings/missouri/saint-louis/