GEO Reentry Services and Education & Health Centers of America held a family-friendly barbeque picnic for individuals who have graduated from or are participating in its reentry programs and are now living successfully in the community and their families. The free event was held at Merrill Park in Iselin, N.J., and GEO Reentry provided transportation for many of the individuals who attended who travelled from locations outside the immediate area.
The event also featured a back-to-school supply giveaway for participants and their children. Staff, program participant alumni and current program participants stuffed more than 1,000 backpacks to give away to school children who attended this event and at other organized giveaways.
GEO Reentry maintains an alumni network for probationers and parolees who have participated in its reentry programs, including both residential reentry programs and non-residential reentry programs. The network organizes periodic community service projects as well as shares helpful job, educational and other resource information to program alumni.
Held since 1999, the BBQ event is a positive reminder to former inmates and parolees of pro-social activities that can support recovery and successful reentry. The event coincides with other nationwide celebrations and rallies related to SAMHSA’s National Recovery Month each September.
Program staff, participant families and New Jersey Parole Board officials will be on hand for this popular event that brings together individuals who are making progress toward a crime-free lifestyle. The Parole Board has committed significant resources to reentry services in New Jersey, including its Stages To Enhance Parolee Success (STEPS) program. At the BBQ, GEO Reentry staff organized many family-friendly activities, such as face painting, petting zoo, contests and games, DJ, karaoke and more.
GEO Reentry provides a wide range of reentry services for the Parole Board, including residential and nonresidential reentry programs for parolees returning from incarceration to the community. These programs offer evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral treatment services designed to reduce recidivism.
GEO Reentry Services operates non-residential programs such as day reporting centers, in-prison treatment services, and residential reentry centers for federal, state and local correctional agencies. By combining research-based treatment and counseling services for incarcerated offenders, parolees, probationers and pretrial service defendants, GEO Reentry assists community correctional agencies with important public safety efforts.