LIMA, OH (WLIO) - There are a lot of challenges if you're re-entering the world after being incarcerated, but one local agency is looking to give people help with their Second Chance program.
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley is the lead agency for the Reentry Coalition of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties. The group is made up of 24 agencies that work with individuals returning to society from prison, helping them find employment and support from community resources. Especially after longer sentences, it's often difficult to know how to get back on track and where to start.
"The Reentry Coalition is very comprehensive, so we're coming at it from a behavioral health perspective; we're coming at it from looking at housing and trying to find resources for housing. We're coming at it from helping individuals understand expungement or being able to get a certificate of employment," explained Jennifer Bonifas, vice president of programs at Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley.
After serving 15 years in prison, Christopher Grose took advantage of the Second Chance program., which helped him get a job at Honda supplier NKP and a ride to and from work.
"As anyone coming out of prison knows, it's easy to fall back into old habits, or maybe the wrong ways of getting money; there's so many different things. But when you have a ride to work, you don't have to worry about rushing to get a car that you can't afford yet. You know, it just gives you so much relief, and it's so easy to just go to work and save and do what you've got to do," said Chris Grose, a Second Chance program participant.
Goodwill Easterseals selected Grose as this year's Empowering Independence Award winner, hoping his story can inspire others who are putting their lives back together after incarceration. You can learn more about the program by visiting gesmv.org or by calling 937-304-0395.
