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    • Home
    • Our Programs
      • Pre-Release Services
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      • Reentry Support
      • Second Chance Saturdays
      • Voices of Reentry
    • Fresh Starts Enterprises
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Home
  • Our Programs
    • Pre-Release Services
    • Unity Cafe
    • The Neighborhood
    • Transitional Living
    • Reentry Support
    • Second Chance Saturdays
    • Voices of Reentry
  • Fresh Starts Enterprises
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Shop

Voices of Reentry

Voices of Reentry aims to share information regarding helpful reentry resources, as well as to spark conversation regarding additional resources which would make it easier for returning citizens to reintegrate successfully. Through this initiative, we also aim to create a Network of support and resources.

Nick - South Bend, IN

Brendan - Gary, IN

TJ - South Bend, IN

JC - South Bend, IN

Poems, songs, and life lessons written by some of our program participants:

A Look Inside

Juvenile Detention Center Resident

Da world is a sick place it changes everyday people don't open dey eyes to realize people die everyday what people don't know is dat we sacrificed to live another day da world is full of sin nd hate so why act different wen its not gon change you can tell a lot by looking into someones eyes yu ask is dat da real yu or is it yu in disguise I see pain and tortue living in yo life its da devil asking for yo soul so don't give it up without a fight

Program Participant at Westville Correctional

Sit with me inside my flame

Now its time to lay the blame

for who I am, and what I'll be

This empty shell you know as me

There are many things to blame it on

It's hard to blame it on just one

so here are few, but there are more

I'll say them now, I'll let them flow

Blame it on my family

for destroying what I could be

Blame it on my misspent youth

or blame it on the untold truths

Blame it on the games with guns

or Blame it on the friends with drugs.

Blame it on the smiling lies

or on my fatal unheard cries.

It's your fault you may now think

as I teeter on this brink.

But you yourself are not to blame

so come sit next to me inside my flame

now listen as my heart beats fast

and watch as I remove my mask

You yourself are not to blame

The one to blame, 

is me.

Juvenile Detention Center Resident

A man without respect, is no man but only a boy, the difference being one speaks with his words, and the other speaks with his actions.

Program Participant at Westville Correctional

"Just Me"

I know I've made mistakes, but life is still around,

Still, I'm just a man,

That's trying to see somewhere to fly far off the ground,

However, the thought is just a demand,

I'm just searching for a mountain I can somewhat climb,

Then again, I need a new change of plan,

A hurt man that's crying to keep from dying inside

Although, sometimes I don't understand, 

Constantly being hunted by the old way of life,

Obviously, I'm no longer a fan,

Fighting to unlock many doors that's nowhere in sight,

Trying, To save one grain of sand in hand,

Often daydreaming about a new me all day but why?

Except, Just maybe, without the glam,

Restless with a heavy heart that won't let me sleep,

Difficulty, like washing a closed hand,

So I change my way I walk, talk, and ride,

No more looking for a place to close up or hide,

Understanding,

What else I may need to take flight, at least try,

Reaching,

For my Lord and Savior while trying not to cry,

I'm just a man,

The Lord Almighty know I've done all I can,

The Lord shows me, 

I am just a man of purpose and valued with true worth.

I'm just me!

Juvenile Detention Center Resident

Sometimes I sit nd think why did dis world corrupt me so much people say dey see difference in me a change but I can't see it Im not a box Im not supposed to open up so why keep telling nd yelling its not gon make a difference People don't change on demand so wats da difference between me n yu is it dat I wear grey nd tan yu wear black n blue but we both bleed red nd dats da truth so why sit here nd act different wen people go an expose yu but I was here dis whole time tryn tell people dat dats not da real yu aint no difference now yu done hid behind da lies dat yu cried dats true so why keep asking God for forgiveness wen dats da devil nd not yu.

share your story

One of our goals at the Community Change Center is to bridge the gap between those who are or who have been incarcerated and those who have not. In order to do so, we invite anyone who has been or knows someone who has been incarcerated, and has a story to share with the general public, to reach out so we can provide you with a platform to share your story. Every voice matters!

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