Restorations Ministries, Inc.
Managing Educational & Training Programs for Returning Citizens
In Search of a Home!
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 6:00 p.m.
The management of RMI is currently looking for a 20,000 sq ft facility to house a co-ed transitional reentry program. The ideal site will be able to accommodate twenty 'quad' residential units, classrooms, storage facilities, administrative offices, and eighty residents. Corporate executives have concentrated the search in Wards 7 & 8 of the District of Columbia. Says Robin Waley, CEO, "We have been searching diligently for quite some time to find the right site. We're not only looking for the right size but it has to acquiesce amiably within the community for it to be the right fit."
Not only must the site "acquiesce" favorably but it must also meet local zoning restrictions; a difficult task for any prospective landowner. "Our development team really has to pay close attention to the zones. Upon finding a prospect, we immediately reference how it's zoned. It can be very cumbersome, at times." She said.
In addition to considering the residential setting and zoning laws, community sentiment must also be taken into account. Past meetings with the Advisory Neighborhood Council members, particularly in the Ward 7 sector, resulted in a surprising reaction from community members and leaders. "It would appear that the NIMBY syndrome (Not In My Back Yard) is alive and well", says Waley with a sigh of frustration.
"I realize that most of the reactions stem from a need for education on the issues of reentry; and I certainly understand the position of the community leaders having a concern of returning citizens propagating their neighbor-hoods, but we have to start some-where. Reentrants need a fair second-start. If we reject them at the start of their reintegration, where do they go? What do they do? Reentry is not just a policy issue, it's a community issue. It effects all of us at our most personal level, economically, socially, and morally. We can not close our eyes to the issue but must meet it head on."
The search for a building has been concentrated at closed elementary schools in the District of Columbia. RMI has identified possible capital funding from a private foundation for the acquisition of and to make capital improvements on commercial property, in renovation or construction. They only need to overcome ensuing bureaucratic and political hurdles to acquire the property.
"We're really going to remain diligent in our pursuit and positive in our outlook. We know that the right property is out there and it's only a matter of time before it all comes together. I just look forward to the day when we celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony to start renovations! Of course we'll invite the ANC and other political leaders. We're all partners in this venture."
"2009 MCI-W Women Moving Forward" Reentry Conference!
August 24, 2009 @ 4:15 p.m.
The National Association of Women Judges, joined by Alternative Directions, Inc., Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Marian House, the Maryland Commission for Women, the Maryland Women’s Law Center, The Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, the National Women’s Prison Project, Inc., and a host of other organizations, will present a day-long reentry conference, entitled “MCIW: Women Moving Forward”. The conference will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW). MCIW is Maryland’s only state prison for women.
These organizations, individually and collectively, have built a reputation, locally and nationally, as a powerful presence in the area of public service. They have been committed to public service projects helping women in Maryland. This public service project is an innovative outreach to women who will face obstacles as they attempt to rejoin society following incarceration.
The 2009 Steering Committee consists of members participating on a voluntary basis from various legal and non-legal practice areas. The Committee was created to implement a public service project, following the success of last year’s project, which was the first of its kind in the State of Maryland. A program similar to this took place in Alaska in November 2006, and October 2007. The Alaska conference was titled “Success Inside & Out.” Like the Alaska conference, the Committee will seek to generate a successful outreach to approximately 160 women at the MCIW, and conduct conferencing sessions that will assist in the re-entry process for these Maryland women. Interactive workshops with written explanatory information and materials will be presented and distributed at this day long, pre-release conference covering the women’s priorities: the availability of housing, jobs, health care, education, and counseling in the areas of addiction treatment and personal finance. During lunch, a fashion show will be held to showcase “work ready” clothing donated to the participants in hopes of enhancing self-esteem and assisting in the job interview process to secure employment.
Please view our promotional flyer on the link below!
