“Welcome home to me”

Terrance graduated from the RISE In-Prison Program in 2021. He was a finalist in his cohort’s business pitch competition and went on to mentor the men in the RISE cohorts after him.

As part of his reentry plan, Terrance worked diligently on becoming a secure, strong father and navigating the different pace of the world on the outside.

This month, Terrance spent time at the new RISE office in Omaha and received his “Welcome Home” bag. Having a landing space for RISE graduates when they release is a priority for RISE, so for them having Terrance was incredible. Even more special was his getting to see photos of him and his son on our walls from his graduation day.

Reentry is crisis. The stigma associated with a criminal record often leads to difficulties in securing employment, housing, and social acceptance, making successful reintegration a daunting task. Limited access to educational and vocational resources, coupled with the lack of adequate support systems, exacerbates the struggle for those returning to the community, contributing to high rates of recidivism and perpetuating a cycle of crisis.