Under a separate platform, The H2O Experience, Inc., operates a ReEntry and Social Justice program titled 805ReEntry. We are committed to living out our Christian mandate to be shepherds and feed the sheep. Our 805ReEntry Program is one way in which we do just that.
805ReEntry helps re-entrants through all of the phases encountered in trying to get re-established in society. Though many of us may realize some of the obvious obstacles or challenges a person faces when coming out of a period of incarceration, there are many subtile things that sometimes go un-addressed. Statements like “at least in jail you have 3 meals and a cot...”, and folks tend to hear that statement and shrug it off.
Even though being in a place where the meals are served at regular times, beds are provided all the time, and the lights and water are always working may be a step up for many folks that get incarcerated, when a person is released from jail those things cease immediately and for a growing number in our population, they return instantly to a reality of homelessness, loneliness, and unemployment.
That reality is exacerbated if the individual being released suffers from mental illness, behavioral disorders or any of the many other maladjustment disorders found in society. There are many individuals who exit from that situation and who have absolutely no one standing at the gates to receive them. Suddenly for many people, not having a place to go, and having no money to get to that place, and certainly not having anywhere to ‘stage-up’ and get their thoughts together, the world becomes a very big and seemingly unfriendly place.
The 805ReEntry Program provides a staging ground and an on-ramp for people merging back into society. For many folks, merging back into society is just like trying to get onto a 5 lane highway. Those already on the highway have found their lane, they are comfortable in their lane and sometime ferociously possessive of their lane and dont tend to like slowing down to let others on...even though there is a sign indicating merging traffic.
The staff and administrators at the 805ReEntry Program work tirelessly to identify other riders on this freeway who are willing to slow down and allow a person clear passage.
In this instance, clear passage includes housing, clothing, a communication device (unless otherwise restricted by the terms of release), an opportunity to fellowship with a church body, food, (prepared and/ or access to groceries... we assist with establishing EBT cards), transportation (we provide bus passes with the local bus company), identification cards ( we help re-establish I.D. cards, Drivers licenses, Social Security cards, Military I.D.’s), Job training ( we have a network of employers committed to giving reentrants a chance).
Through the leadership of our program, we have worked with Catholic Charities, Christian Outreach, The One Stop, Employ BR, One Touch Ministry, Heavenly H.O.P.E. Ministries, The Baton Rouge Press, Gerry Lane Auto Dealership, Louisiana State Probation and Parole, Elayn Hunt, Warden Grimes at East Baton Rouge Parish Jail, KMC Homes, St. Vincent DePaul, and a host of employers, funders, and providers.
