Staff members and participants at Pennsylvania non-residential reentry centers run by GEO Reentry Services celebrated Black History Month in activities and events focusing on historical figures who rose above the societal barriers they faced to change the world.
GEO Reentry’s non-residential reentry centers and day reporting programs support correctional agencies in offering multi-phase, evidence-based treatment, accountability, links to community resources and aftercare. When referred to the program, participants go through an intake and assessment process for criminogenic risk, and their treatment needs are tailored to individual behavior change plans.
Through one-on-one counseling and group classes, participants then have access to classes and groups in substance abuse treatment and education, anger management, parenting skills, life skills, Moral Reconation Therapy, Individual Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, employment readiness and more.
At the Luzerne County Reentry Service Center and Electronic Monitoring in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, staff organized a celebration of Black history, displaying posters of famous figures, giving PowerPoint presentations, and serving cultural food items like Jamaican beef, chicken and vegetable patties.
“The Luzerne Reentry Service Center, specifically Ms. Whitaker, Ms. Edwards, and Mr. Bonny, did a wonderful job presenting on Black History and contributions to civics, science and the arts,” said John Hogan, Area Manager GEO Reentry Non-Residential Reentry Services in Pennsylvania. “It was a great opportunity to celebrate and educate as a team.”
In Harrisburg, all 60 participants at the Dauphin County Reentry Service Center participated in Black History Month with a contest to guess the identities of famous figures who overcame challenges to rise to a better future. Dauphin County RSC Job Developer Aqila Webb and staff decorated the building with photos of Black sports, art, aviation and civil rights heroes, each accompanied by a short hint.
“The Dauphin team developed an exciting way to celebrate Black History month with our participants,” said Hogan. “Both staff and participants were taking part in the opportunity to learn and engage in spirited competition.”
In March, Dauphin RSC Program Manager Jacqueline Schap and staff organized a similar photo guessing contest in honor of Women’s History Month, featuring famous figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Susan B. Anthony and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
