Reentry Simulator scheduled for September 29

Finding a job. Securing housing. Getting to appointments. Accessing healthcare. Meeting supervision requirements. Paying bills.

Each of these tasks can be challenging on its own. For someone returning to the community after incarceration, they often have to happen all at once.

The Northeast Indiana Reentry Coalition (NEIRC), in partnership with Purdue Extension and Living in Transition Effectively (LITE) Recovery, will host a Reentry Simulator on Tuesday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Beacon Credit Union Heritage Hall, Hier’s Park, 631 E. Taylor Street.

The interactive experience is designed to help participants better understand the real-world challenges people may encounter after incarceration, including barriers related to housing, employment, transportation, healthcare and other essentials.

“The purpose isn’t to suggest that a simulation can fully replicate the experience of returning home after incarceration,” said Caroline Everidge, founder of the Northeast Indiana Reentry Coalition and extension specialist with Purdue Extension. “It gives us an opportunity to look at reentry from a different perspective. When we see how quickly housing, employment, transportation, healthcare and other systems intersect, we can begin asking better questions about where barriers exist and how we can work together to strengthen the path home.”

The event is designed for service providers, community leaders, employers, educators, law enforcement and faith and nonprofit organizations. Following the simulation, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their experience and consider how organizations and sectors across the region can work together to strengthen reentry efforts.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch. Registration is available here. For more information, contact the Northeast Indiana Reentry Coalition at neindianareentrycoalition@gmail.com.

The Reentry Simulator is provided with support from the Purdue Extension Community Vitality Program.