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Whatcom County Re-Entry Coalition

Bellingham, Washington


IRENE'S VISION

While contemplating the future of this organization and where we might take it, I am able to see clearly what I envision in the future.

After we formed in December of 2006, and as I researched more re-entry and aftercare programs I formulated my own rendition for Bellingham and Whatcom County. I see:

1 - A Delancy Street (San Francisco) type model with housing, employment, case management, education opportunities, job training, life skills training and volunteer or pay-it-forward requirements.
  • We will obtain housing units and/or build new or remodel units.
  • We will work with existing employers and entrepreneurs, create new businesses and employment opportunities.
  • We will train and educate with existing employers or training centers or create new businesses for this purpose.
  • We will make time available for GED prep and literacy skills outside employment times.
  • We will include life skills classes and integrate into all aspects of opportunities.
  • We will require that all participants help others who enter our programs to ensure the success of the whole. There will be outside volunteer opportunities.

2 - As we have moved forward and I've seen the statistics of our prison population I have real-eyesed that a large portion of our prison population is the mentally ill. Our mental institutions were closed in the 1970's by mandate of the federal government. I have not been able to understand this decision.

A VERY simple solution is to place the mentally ill in separate housing where they can live as independently as possible. If they are not able to care for themselves then we place them in a group home where they are cared for as needed with dignity and respect. When those who are able to stabilize do so, they can move into separate or other less managed homes or facilities. This is FAR more respectful, less harmful to the person AND the public.

This kind of housing for the mentally ill is a cost savings in all areas. They will be safer and better cared for. The public will be safer with fewer tax dollars spent as they revolve through our system with the same outcome, repeatedly.


3 - Again as I have perused the system and it's statistics the numbers of drug and alcohol offences is staggering. As I hear of the numbers of repeated trips to the treatment centers I am appalled. I envision a center of natural healing for those with addictions of any kind, fashioned after successful centers like Passages in Malibu, California,. and Joan Mathews Larson's Health Recovery Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I believe with this three-pronged approach we will be one of the most successful programs in our country. The best part is that it is duplicatable and saves not only dollars but more importantly - LIVES!!!!

I invite anyone who shares even a portion of this vision to join us in our cause. For more information call Irene Morgan 360-354-3653 or visit our website at www.whatcomrec.org.


Joy's comments:

We will use the resources of the newly released prisoners, or certain capable homeless population to do the actual building or reconstruction of the facilities.
  • That whereever possible we will employ the very people we are striving to support in the process.
  • We are also looking at all times for opportunities to build the systems using entrepreneurial and self-reliance business models.
  • That we will strive to find alternative nutritional & healing support, new models for mentorship and coaching, and do green building models.
In other words...we are outside the box in all categories and are looking for the most progressive, cutting edge of everything we do.