A Path to Freedom
There are many barriers to successfully re-entering society after years of incarceration. Challenges faced are numerous and overwhelming. Where will the released live? Who will hire them? Can they be reunited and reconciled with families? How and where can they get mental health care as well as medical and dental care (often neglected since incarcerated)? How do they manage all the legal requirements as a condition of their release while juggling a job or job interviews, health appointments, and family? The answer is that most of them cannot do it alone.
Mentoring Beyond the Gates is the brainchild of the Rev’d Gay Romack, a deacon at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield Park, Arizona. When asked what inspired her to create this program, Gay said, “To see the fear about not knowing where they are going or what they are doing and yet they are expected to succeed, that’s what prompted this program. We are confident that well-trained mentors can guide their mentees to create a successful re-entry plan.”
Gay has been involved in some form of ministering to the incarcerated for decades. Since 2012, she has led a worship team that meets with women incarcerated in Perryville Women’s Prison located in Goodyear, Arizona. Over the past 9 years, Gay has witnessed firsthand the fear that often precedes their release. “I remember the first inmate who ever approached me about being released,” said Gay. “I expected her to be overjoyed and thrilled. I had this perfect picture of her being back in her own bed, eating a meal with her family, and all that. But I didn’t see any of that excitement in her. I only saw fear and I knew why she came to me, because she was scared.”
Deacon Gay established the Mentoring Beyond the Gates program to reach as many women as possible who are being released from Perryville and are in need of additional community support. The re-entry process is complicated by their tendency to isolate instead of communicate. As Gay explained, “The reality is that the majority of them have experienced some sort of trauma either before or during incarceration. They have not had proper medical attention, they have little to no resources, in most cases very little family support, and no sense of community support.”
Mentoring Beyond the Gates hopes to create a sense of community for those who are released. Trained mentors will assist them with accountability, goal setting, budgeting, and enhancing their self-esteem. According to Gay, “Studies have shown the importance of mentoring; having someone walk alongside these individuals for a year to help them be accountable and assist with resources. Call them a cheerleader, coach, or whatever; a mentor can help change a life.”
Although the primary goal for Mentoring Beyond the Gates is to help the released person overcome the major challenges to successful re-entry, to give her the support she needs and encourage the healing of mind, body, and spirit; there’s another side to this coin. Gay hopes, “As mentors develop open minds, hearts, and compassion for these returning citizens perhaps they can become ambassadors for changing attitudes toward the formerly incarcerated in Arizona.”
Mentoring Beyond the Gates was made possible in part by a grant from the New Episcopal Communities to fund the Mentor Director position that will oversee the program. But the grant monies only go so far. If you would like to support this effort, donations can be made online through the Bridges Reentry website or mailed to Bridges Reentry at 1009 N. Vista Verde, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340. Gay explained, “Donations are important because we need to continue to pay the salary of the Mentor Director and all the general operating expenses of the program.”
Additional information about the application process, orientation, and training sessions can be found at www.bridgesreentry.org or email Deacon Gay Romack directly. The first of four weekly training sessions is from 4:30pm to 6:30pm Tuesday, September 14, via Zoom. Ongoing mentor training will be available throughout the year.