Beyond Bars: Rebuilding Lives Through Citizen Circle | Episode 220
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The Summit County Citizen Circle represents a remarkable approach to reentry support for justice-impacted individuals. This collaborative initiative, meeting monthly on the second Thursday of each month (February through December), brings together over 50 different service providers to create a comprehensive support system that helps formerly incarcerated individuals navigate the challenging transition back into society.
The program's success is evident in its 2024 statistics: 80 justice-impacted individuals were served alongside 312 provider attendances throughout the year. What makes this program particularly effective is its holistic approach to addressing barriers. Transportation emerged as the most significant need, with the Citizen Circle distributing over 321 day bus passes and 23 monthly passes to help participants access employment, housing, and other essential services. This seemingly simple support removes a crucial barrier that often prevents individuals from successfully reintegrating.
Employment support ranked as the second most needed resource, followed by housing assistance with rental support. The program also addressed basic needs like clothing ($3,900 in retail gift cards), food assistance, and hygiene products ($850). These tangible supports provide immediate relief while participants work toward longer-term stability. The emotional impact of this comprehensive support system cannot be overstated – leaders described witnessing "grown men in tears" who simply did not expect such genuine care and assistance.
What truly distinguishes the Summit County Citizen Circle is its collaborative spirit. Despite the competitive nature of nonprofit funding, providers set aside organizational interests to focus solely on serving each participant's unique needs. As co-leader Lisa Dolan eloquently puts it, "We all play nice on the playground." This unity of purpose creates a judgment-free environment where participants can feel genuinely supported rather than processed through a system.
The program has gained such an impressive reputation that some justice-impacted individuals are actually relocating from other counties specifically to access Summit County's robust reentry support network. This speaks volumes about both the need for these services and the program's effectiveness. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections has recognized Summit County's approach as a model, with other counties seeking guidance on replicating their success.
A key philosophy of the Citizen Circle is empowerment through choice. Rather than dictating a rigid "reentry plan," participants are encouraged to create their own "redirection plan" based on their individual needs and goals. As co-leader Shawn Bonner emphasizes, "In the land of second chances, leave pride outside the door." This approach acknowledges that recovery and reintegration are not linear processes – setbacks happen, but what matters is accountability and the willingness to move forward.
The program's intake process exemplifies this compassionate approach, with providers taking the time to truly listen to participants' stories rather than rushing them through a system. From that first contact through the entire process, dignity remains central. Participants leave with a complete folder of resources tailored to their specific needs, allowing them to take ownership of their next steps.
For those interested in learning more about Summit County Citizen Circle – whether as potential participants or volunteers – contact Lisa Dolan at 330-208-3829. The program also hosts biannual resource and job fairs specifically featuring employers who hire justice-impacted individuals, with the next event scheduled for May 15th at the Chapel in Akron.
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Beyond Bars: Rebuilding Lives Through Citizen Circle | Episode 220
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