Welcome

The Big Bend AFTER (A Fight To End Recidivism) Reentry Coalition is a coalition of individuals and groups united to increase public safety and reduce recidivism through collaborating and establishing community partnerships, identifying and providing services to currently and formerly incarcerated people, empowering them to become productive, self-sufficient members of the community.

BBARC Welcome and Wellness Center

We are now offering trainings, classes, workshops and opportunities for social engagement or mentoring for individuals returning from incarceration. Community organizations and agencies who are interested in providing these, or other services, at our location should complete this BBARC Welcome Center Programming form. Welcome Center Coordinator, Elaine Webb, will get back in touch to discuss details.

Returning citizens seeking programming to help them fulfill probation requirements, develop skills, or share with others in a supportive environment can find information about upcoming programs and register here. A 31-day bus pass will be provided to all formerly incarcerated people who attend our programs, as funds allow. Current offerings include:

Bus Pass Fund

We are currently seeking funding for a bus pass fund so that participants who attend workshops, peer support groups, and trainings at the Welcome Center can be offered free month-long bus passes to assist them with their transportation needs. Please let us know if your church, temple, mosque, or civic organization is interested in contributing to the fund.

Upcoming activities

Car Wash to benefit BBARC will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 10 am – 2 pm at Grace Mission, 303 W Brevard St., Tallahassee. For donations of $10.00 or more, you’ll get your car looking like new while supporting our Welcome Center!

Our next Reentry Resource Fair will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Goodwill at 300 Mabry Street, Tallahassee. Details soon. Save the date!

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Recent BBARC Events

Fall Reentry and Resource Fair – November 18, 2023

BBARC hosted a Fall Reentry and Resource Fair for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, as well as the families of currently incarcerated individuals, in partnership with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Office for Intervention and Detention Alternatives, and the 2nd Circuit Public Defender’s Office. The event took place at the Leverne F. Payne Community Center (450 W 4th Ave.) on Saturday, November 18th, 10 am – 2 pm. Over two dozen human service providers tabled inside and outside the community center, sharing information about all the wonderful resources and services they offer. Food and food preparation services were donated by Mission BBQ and REFire Culinary and a delicious luncheon was enjoyed by all. Thank you to DJ Fire for keeping our attendees entertained and providing a fun backdrop to the festivities. Many of our attendees won giveaways thanks to generous donations from Ms. Dee’s Kitchen, Flippin’ Great Pinball and many private sponsors. Attendees had access to free books for children, and assistance obtaining birth certificates.

We are immensely grateful to all of our partners, sponsors, and our volunteers who helped pull the event together! WTXL news coverage can be found here, and WFSU News coverage can be found here.

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Reentry Simulation – November 2, 2023

BBARC partnered with Department of Corrections for a very successful event. The Reentry Simulation simulated the struggles and challenges faced by individuals who are transitioning from incarceration back into society. Those who attended felt strongly that it demonstrated very concretely how challenging reentry can be. Thank you to all the participants for your willingness to walk in the shoes of one who is returning home to gain a better understanding of the significant obstacles they face. Thanks to Dr. Keith Parker, Nichole Landrum, Chad Cutkomp and Brylan Jacobs for their work organizing the event! WFSU News provided coverage of the event here.

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Family Wellness and Reentry Fair – May 13, 2023

Our first Family Wellness and Reentry Fair was held at the BBARC Welcome Center (548 E. Bradford Rd.) on Saturday, May 13, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The event was co-sponsored by BBARC and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Many partner organizations shared their reentry resources and information. A raffle, face painting, free books for children, and sandwiches donated by Publix made the event fun for all. The reentry fair was engaging and informative both for the participating agencies and for returning citizens and their families who received help and support. Participants signed up to join us at future BBARC meetings, upcoming workshops, and reentry support groups; others offered to volunteer.

We couldn’t have done it without everybody’s help donating food items, staffing tables, counseling attendees, donating items for the raffle, DJing some great tunes, speaking to the media, and setting up tables and tents. Thank you! We look forward to planning another reentry fair in the fall. WTXL news provided coverage before and after the event.

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BBARC Welcome and Wellness Center Opening – January 11, 2023

The BBARC Welcome and Wellness Center has found a home thanks to the generous support of Leon Cares / American Rescue Plan Act funds. We are leasing an office from and sharing a community space with ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization). Our first in-person meeting since March 2020 was held at the new location, 548 E. Bradford Road, on Wednesday, January 11th, 1:30-4:00 p.m., followed by a tour and refreshments provided by REfire Culinary.

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Turning the Table: A Pre-Symposium Panel Discussion on “Bridge Housing” for People Returning from Incarceration – November 17, 2022

The Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition, in partnership with FAMU Cooperative Extension and Horizon Communities, Inc., hosted “Turning the Table: A Pre-Symposium Panel Discussion on ‘Bridge Housing’ for People Returning from Incarceration,” November 17, 2022, 2:00-4:00 p.m. The pre-symposium brought together stakeholders and practitioners to explore multiple facets of the housing problems facing returning citizens as well as opportunities for decreasing recidivism through the creation of housing alternatives.

Panels of experts, stakeholders and impacted individuals addressed the need for supportive housing and will describe successful local models. The panels were followed by a brief discussion of action steps we as a community can take to bring about substantive change.

In accordance with public notices regulations, it is noted that two or more members of the Public Safety Coordinating Council were in attendance at this meeting.

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Crime & Justice in Tallahassee: A Community Conversation – March 29, 2022

The ongoing crises of substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, gun violence, and homelessness interface directly with the criminal justice system. The Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition hosted “Crime and Justice in Tallahassee: A Community Conversation,” March 29, 2022, 6:30-8:30 p.m. We invited leaders in the criminal justice system to share positive and innovative initiatives currently in place and to address what else needs to be done. Panelists:

State Attorney Jack Campbell, Second Judicial Circuit of Florida
Sheriff Walt McNeil, Sheriff of Leon County, Florida
Chief Lawrence Revell, Chief of Police of Tallahassee, Florida
Jessica Yeary, Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit of Florida

In accordance with public notices regulations, it is noted that two or more members of the Public Safety Coordinating Council were in attendance at this meeting.