Starting Over Reentry program looks to rebuild lives, strengthen communities e stated goal of the Ohio criminal justice and correctional system is to protect public safety by rehabilitating oenders. But more often than not, many oenders fall far short in their pursuit. UMADAOP Lucas County has picked up this mission, oering a variety of programs and services aimed at helping ex-oenders successfully assimilate back into society. rough the Circle for Recovery program, UMADAOP Lucas County’s reentry sta hope to strengthen communities by helping people build better lives. Programming for progress e Circle for Recovery program is provided for 10-20 male participants who meet twice a week to address a range of issues they may be struggling to overcome. Group counseling sessions are conducted to give clients a chance to share their feelings and discuss issues in a setting where they feel understood by those with a similar past. Men’s Program Coordinator John Edwards, Jr. says that by addressing the issues that drove criminal thinking and behavior, participants can reshape their thinking to produce more positive actions. He
Defining success Where the criminal justice system may have failed, the Circle for Recovery program has seen incredible success in helping ex-oenders turn their lives around. Program organizers say they’ve seen participants go back to school, get and hold jobs, and become more dedicated to their family structures and obligations. “You see guys become more self-responsible, and more involved in their children’s lives when it’s allowed,” Edwards, Jr. says. While tackling practical matters like housing and unemployment are critical to nding success, Edwards, Jr. says it’s the emotional change and new thinking patterns that ultimately make the dierence. He says he’s seen clients make amazing strides as they come to terms with the issues that held them back for years, and even decades in some cases. “You see guys become a little bit more humble and realistic in the expectations they hold themselves to,” Edwards, Jr. says. “You see guys get more sincerely involved with the program because they really want the successful outcomes.”
states that many of the clients have never been taught or properly educated about the societal norms that all law abiding individuals are expected to follow. “We have clients that have felony backgrounds, and we help them to deal with some of the underlying issues that lead to criminal behaviors,” Edwards, Jr. says. “We use evidence-based programming to address a lack of education and life skills on everything from housing, education, employment, low self-esteem, criminal behaviors, substance use disorders, child support and domestic violence.” Program sta oer clients the full range of UMADAOP Lucas County services as a way to meet their everyday needs through outpatient treatment and recovery support. e program also features specialized individual counseling sessions to help clients avoid criminal thinking, illegal activity and recidivism. Edwards, Jr. says as clients work through their issues, they slowly begin to understand the motivations behind their behavior and become more self-aware of how to maintain law abiding and productive lifestyles. “Being able to sit down one-on-one with a Circle for Recovery counselor is a big help for them. e specialized individual sessions help them adopt new behaviors and become more comfortable in maintaining law abiding lifestyles,” Edwards, Jr. says. “We try to help them stage their development so that they can see the growth, because it helps build their condence and their self-esteem.”
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