Text by Bethany Shepler, SPP Green Track Program Coordinator
This illuminated handshake was between James Faircloth and Raven from Pioneer Human Services. During Pathways to Reentry, Raven and Gregory (in the background) spoke with many men about Pioneer’s work with previously incarcerated individuals in Washington State. Photo by Ricky Osborne.
On April 16th, Stafford
Creek Corrections Center (SCCC) hosted a re-entry event called Pathways to Reentry. This event was
different than most for two reasons: 1) it was open to everyone regardless of their
release date, and 2) it featured several guest speakers and experts who were previously-incarcerated.
While every presenter was clearly welcome and appreciated, there’s no question
that stories and guidance from the previously incarcerated were the most
impressive. Their pathways to re-entry were the most resonant and relevant.
The event highlighted two successful
pathways: education and employment. We invited re-entry navigators from across
the state, second-chance employers, re-entry resources, justice-involved
college students, Washington State Department of Corrections education
leadership, and college coordinators to share about the work that they do. The
event was a beautiful example of collaboration and we’re so excited to co-host
more events like this in the future. Thank you to everyone involved in this
event!
Below is a photo journal of the day.
Enjoy!
SCCC Facility Manager Chris Idso, kicked off the event with a welcome and shared his ideas about successful re-entry. The event’s co-MC’s Joe and I stand in the bottom right of the photo. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett. Darin Armstrong released from Cedar Creek Corrections Center last year and currently works with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Environmental Services. Darin is shaking hands with co-MC Joe. Darin was a guest speaker and spoke about his work with SPP during incarceration and his work with WSDOT since being released. Photo by Ricky Osborne. From left: Brian Bedilion, Carolina Landa, and Billy Sweetser answer questions about incarceration, addiction, and the pathways they took to being successful. Carolina urged everyone to plan for release now, saying: “This is the most ‘you’ time you’re ever going to get. Use it. When you get back out there, life is going to hit.” Photo by Ricky Osborne. James Jackson, JJ, works at The Evergreen State College as the Re-entry Navigator (reentry@evergreen.edu) and has been a foundational member of Evergreen’s Justice Involved Student Group (JISG). He spoke about his time during incarcerated and the strength he’s gained by standing on his story; he told us, “I don’t live in no shame and no guilt; I stand on my story”. He said he’s “giving back by using my story.” Photo by Ricky Osborne. Just before lunch, everyone who was willing posed for a group photo. This event was made possible by collaboration and support from SCCC staff and the many outside organizations involved: Evergreen Justice Involved Student Group, Gateways, WSDOT, Grays Harbor College, Department of Corrections (Re-Entry and Education), WorkSource, The Evergreen State College, WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Civil Survival, Edmonds Community College, Bates Technical College, Mod Pizza, Pioneer Human Services, Weld Seattle, Centralia College, and Skagit Valley College. Photo by Ricky Osborne. WSDOT’s Robyn Lovely talked through how to apply for State jobs: where to find applications, how much time an application requires, and how to find out more about any position. Photo by Ricky Osborne. Jamal Kahn speaks to Lei from the Evergreen’s JISG during one of the tabling sessions. Mr. Kahn is an instructor for the Roots of Success program at SCCC. Photo by Ricky Osborne.
From Left: SPP’s Co-Director Kelli Bush, artist Marvin Faircloth, and SCCC’s Sustainability Liaison Kelly Peterson pose with a gift to the Evergreen team. Mr. Faircloth created the piece as a thank you gift to SPP’s Evergreen team. Kelly was SCCC’s the lead coordinator for the event, and it would not have been possible without her support. Thank you! Photo by Ricky Osborne.
This is a photo of SPP’s favorite photographer Ricky Osborne. It’s tough to get a photo of him because he’s always moving! We love the photos he takes and his generous, considerate presence. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
