WELCOME CENTER

BBARC Welcome and Wellness Center

548 E. Bradford Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303; Phone: 850-270-3302

Drop-in hours: by appointment only

The BBARC Welcome and Wellness Center has found a home thanks to the generous support of Leon Cares / American Rescue Plan Act funds.  We offer training, classes, workshops, and opportunities for social engagement or mentoring for individuals returning from incarceration. All are welcome!

Community organizations and agencies who are interested in providing these, or other services, at our location should complete the BBARC Welcome Center Programming Form or contact Elaine Webb at 850-270-3302.

A free 31-day bus pass will be provided to all returning citizens who attend our programs, as funds allow, to assist with transportation needs.

Upcoming programming (click to register):

  • Peer Support Groups (@ 3333 W Pensacola St. Suite 210)
    • Women’s Support Groups
    • Men’s Support Groups 
    • If you are interested in participating in a peer support group and/or having a mentor, please fill out the linked form.
    • Coming soon: Life-mapping group, Movie nights
  • Job Search & Interviewing Skills for Returning Citizens 
    • Join instructor Anne Meisenzahl to gain valuable job search and interviewing skills as someone returning from incarceration. Learn how best to speak about your criminal justice involvement. Get a chance to practice your interviewing skills with an experienced instructor.
  • Rap, Rhythm, Rhyme & Reflection: Poetry for Self-Expression Workshop 
    • In this workshop, we will meet for one hour once a week for four weeks.  We’ll read and write poems and then share them with each other in a group.  At the end of the four weeks, we’ll publish the poems participants create for them to keep and share.
    • Reading poetry is a powerful tool for connecting with people who have been in similar life situations and who have put their experiences in writing to empower others.
    • Writing poetry is a positive tool for expressing and processing our thoughts, for validating each of our unique life experiences, for deepening self-awareness and understanding of the world, for sharing with others in community, and for healing.
  • GED Support and Tutoring 
    • Adult Community Education (ACE) School offers classes online and in-person. If you are unable to attend classes on the ACE main campus (526 Appleyard Dr.) due to past convictions, there are options for you:
      • You can complete your classes online.
      • Computers available for use and free GED support at the Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition Welcome and Wellness Center (548 E. Bradford Rd.)
      • Free one-on-one tutoring and support through Leon County Libraries (literacy@leoncountyfl.gov)
      • Vouchers for classes and testing are available for those who qualify.
  • 24:7 Dads (Dates/times will be set to meet your schedule)
    • Carter’s Corner 24:7 Dads is a voluntary, comprehensive fatherhood program designed to help men improve their parenting skills and fathering knowledge. The program focuses on building self-awareness, self-caring, and parenting, fathering, and relationship skills through 12 weekly, two-hour group or individual sessions.

Programming Calendar