About Us
Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition is a coalition of leaders from corrections, law enforcement, social service, education, government, and faith-based organizations. Founded in March 2012, BBARC works to reduce recidivism and increase public safety by helping people navigating reentry connect to the resources already available in their community — so they don’t have to knock on the door of the criminal justice system again to find them.
BBARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We advocate for currently and formerly incarcerated people, network with service providers, share information and resources, and educate the community about reentry issues. BBARC members and supporters meet on the second Wednesday of every month, when we invite community leaders active in reentry work to share their resources and deepen our collective understanding of the issues and solutions.
“The best way to reduce recidivism is to help offenders learn of and connect to resources in their community so they don’t have to knock on the door of the criminal justice system.”
— Professor Faye Taxman, Director of Recidivism Research, Georgetown University
Our Goals
- Collaborate with law enforcement, corrections, and probation services to build a streamlined, successful reentry process
- Grow the coalition by bringing in new members, broadening our collective knowledge of local resources and services
- Educate the community on the public-safety benefits of supporting people transitioning back after incarceration
- Coordinate services that help people access identification documents, housing, education, employment, and substance abuse intervention
What We Do
- Offer training, classes, workshops, case management, and mentoring and social engagement opportunities for people returning from incarceration
- Coordinate access to identification documents, housing, education, employment, substance abuse intervention, and mental health services
- Educate the community on how supporting reentry improves public safety
- Partner with the Florida business community to expand employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated people, including guidance on hiring incentives like the Federal Bonding Program and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Our History & Impact
Since 2012, BBARC has:
- Developed an Employer Guide to Hiring Formerly Incarcerated People, a public service announcement, and a presentation used to inform employers and job seekers about hiring incentives
- Co-sponsored two Employer Summits on the advantages of hiring formerly incarcerated people
- Helped update and distribute the Leon County Human Services Resource Guide, used by returning citizens, counselors, probation officers, teachers, and community members to find local reentry resources
- Sponsored “Crime and Justice in Tallahassee: A Community Conversation” at the Leon County Public Library (March 2022)
- Advocated for incarcerated individuals during COVID-19 isolation writing letters of support to everyone detained at the Leon County Detention Facility and pushing for vaccine access for institutionalized, high-risk individuals
Current Initiatives
Community Welcome and Wellness Center – The Community Welcome and Wellness Center provides ongoing programming and connects returning citizens directly to community resources.
RISE Center – BBARC and its partner agencies work closely with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to support the RISE Center. We refer clients and community members there, and our partner agencies help connect returning citizens with essential services on-site.