Public Advocated in Community re-Entry (PACE) is expanding its Breaking the Chains Program by adding a post-release workshop to aid justice-involved individuals.
The Guidance for Post Support (GPS) workshop is a three-week program to help recently incarcerated individuals overcome barriers to community reentry, achieve financial readiness and prepare for employment.
“This post-release program is designed to help reduce barriers to success after justice involvement,” said Rhiannon Edwards, PACE executive director. “If we work with offenders both before release and after, they can gain the skills to get quality jobs and take care of their families and avoid going back into the justice system.”
Men who completed the pre-release Breaking the Chains program are eligible for GPS.
The program includes:
- Debriefing reality: PACE facilitates a debriefing session to bridge the gap between pre-release expectations and the realities of life after incarceration. This includes discussions on managing family obligations, budgeting and navigating social settings.
- Prosocial activities: Fostering positive social interactions through engaging activities that promote teamwork, communication, and healthy coping mechanisms.
- Career assessment and skill inventory: This session helps individuals identify their strengths, skills and career interests, paving the way for job placement.
- Fulfilling basic needs: PACE provides essentials like socks, underwear and shoes, addressing immediate needs upon release.
- Financial security: Recognizing the challenges of managing finances after incarceration, we’ll offer a monetary stipend throughout the post-release portion of the program to help participants meet basic needs during this critical transition.
During the final two weeks, those in the program participate in PACE’s Advancing Your Career workshop to gain employment skills and financial knowledge. Throughout the three weeks, participants are paid $16 per hour.
“Breaking the Chains and the GPS workshop have been very instrumental and helpful because they have taught me there are resources and organizations willing to help, but you have to take accountability for your life,” said Griffie, program participant from Indianapolis. “You have to want that change … I am truly grateful to PACE and those who have walked beside me. I’m very thankful.”
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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