At GEO Reentry Services, our treatment programs help probationers and parolees successfully transition back into their communities. Once they’ve showed success in their communities, former program participants are eligible to become alumni members, with the chance to help current participants through their own transitions. Alumni members act as mentors, providing assistance to those reentering with information on housing, continued substance abuse treatment and employment opportunities.
A GEO Reentry group made up of alumni and staff from our New Jersey centers recently volunteered for a day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15. Volunteers accepted an invitation from the City of Newark to join a Paint Party at Technology High School. The GEO Reentry group spent the day at the high school, brightening the hallways with a fresh coat of paint and painting canvas banners that will hang as murals inside the school.
In addition, GEO Reentry alumni and staff joined volunteers from other organizations to help with various projects coordinated by the city. Volunteers gave their time to help out in schools, help seniors, help the homeless and assist with general assignments that included cleaning up or lending a hand where needed. Alumni expressed their satisfaction in being able to help others, acknowledging the effect reentry treatment has made in their lives.
It was a rewarding experience for GEO Reentry Services alumni as they served their community and paid tribute to one of America’s great leaders for freedom and equality.
To learn more about the volunteer efforts of our alumni, staff and participants, read additional blog posts.