Northeast Reintegration Center and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries Welcome Ohio’s Attorney General

ODRC
ODRC
Aug 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Attorney General Mike DeWine recently traveled to Cleveland to take an in-depth look at an agency collaboration involving Reentry Programming and the local community. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Director Gary Mohr, Operations Director Edwin Voorhies, Northeast Regional Director Todd Ishee and Northeast Reintegration Center (NERC) Warden Brande Harris were on hand in downtown Cleveland on August 15th to welcome Mr. DeWine to the Richard Sering Center on Superior Avenue.

NERC residents met the dignitaries and provided an introduction and overview of the Chopping for Change Program. Next Bryan Mauk, Vice President of LMM’s Workforce Development and Tomika Banks provided an overview of the Advanced Culinary Arts Class.

The group moved quickly to the computer lab where former resident and C4C graduate, Amanda Ernsberger, discussed how well she did with the program and how it has helped her secure employment at two premiere Cleveland restaurants that provide her financial sustainability upon release.

Mr. DeWine was exposed to the many programs that are comprised in the C4C Program such as Life Skills, Parenting Classes, Trauma, U-SOAR, Alcohol and Other Drug, 1–1 Counseling, and Yoga.

Chef Lauren Campbell, LMM’s Culinary Instructor, discussed the elements of the food preparation program and a demonstration of the Hope University was conducted by Jennifer Boswell (ODRC Reentry), Mike Swiger (True Freedom Ministry), and Bryan Mauk (LMM).

Hope University is a new addition to the Hope Channel Network that facilitates program delivery to the Ohio prison population on computer tablets. This is a learning management system very similar to online higher levels colleges and our own Corrections Training Academy. The goal of Hope University, currently being piloted at NERC and Grafton Reintegration Center (GRC), is to significantly increase the number of programs offered to the Ohio prison population.

The group then proceeded to the central kitchen where the resident participants prepare the meals for the homeless on a daily basis. Participants prepare to serve three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) daily to five homeless shelters 365 days a year. The resident participants prepare and cook the food, clean the kitchen, and inventory food items. Culinary exams are also completed in this area.

Malika Kidd (Poole) shared her experience at LMM as a staff facilitator as well as her experience as a former resident of NERC to the Attorney General.

Mr. DeWine had an opportunity to view the clothing resource center at LMM, which opened on November 1, 2016. This center provides the offenders with clothing upon release. These options are provided to the residents so that they return to their community restored and with clothing that does not identify them as an offender.

The clothing resource center provides them with a casual outfit and a professional outfit, as well as a coat and bag (if available). NERC residents gave an explanation of this process and answered questions the tour participants had.

Mike Swiger, Executive Director of True Freedom Ministries, led a presentation in the Founders Conference Room for the proposed pilot work-release program.

Guests were allotted a few additional moments to chat with the C4C resident participants, sample their most current appetizer, and ask any questions they may have had to the participants and staff.

Closing remarks were made by the Attorney General, who was quite impressed with the collaboration and the work ODRC and LMM were doing to provide a very meaningful and educational program; a program that is already yielding great results for the graduates while also providing for the needs of the community.

DRC Insider

News from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

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ODRC

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ODRC

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Vision: Reduce crime in Ohio. Mission: Reduce recidivism among those we touch. (www.drc.ohio.gov)

DRC Insider

News from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

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