Returning Citizens Americorps Program

Navigation: Returning Citizens AmeriCorps Program (NRCA) trains 18-22 AmeriCorps members to serve as Navigation Coaches to formerly incarcerated individuals (both those on parole and non-parole) pursuing a wide variety of post-secondary experiences (ranging from community college, four-year programs, trade programs, Re-Entry programs, and more.)

• The Why Expand dropdown
  • We know that education and subsequent employment is the number one intervention in altering a recidivism rate. 
  • In Washtenaw County, home to two large universities, a robust community college and private college, opportunities are plentiful but access is limited and complicated. 
  • Project Rebound, a fifty-year young, college re-entry program in California (located at 13 schools) notes that in 2019, its recidivism rate for those in their program was 0% compared to the state average of 46%
    • Key to Project Rebound are transition and navigation coaches who assist returning citizens in both access to and persistence in college. Many of the coaches those are returning citizens themselves. 
• The Need Expand dropdown
  • At 34%, Washtenaw County, Michigan has one of the state’s highest recidivism rates compared to 26% state-wide. 
  • Washtenaw County has the state’s highest post-secondary attainment rate at 64%.
  • Individuals (such as those formerly or recently incarcerated) without access and support to pursuing post-secondary pathways and subsequent employment are at most risk of re-offending.
• The How  Expand dropdown
  • AmeriCorps members will be responsible for 40 formerly incarcerated individuals who will meet one or more access and/or persistence goals they have set for themselves.
  • May serve up to 150 in the first year.
  • Creating County-Wide educational access for returning citizens, and building of an eco-system of support.
  • Members will be be situated in/at: 
    • • Washtenaw Community College
      • MichiganWorks!
      • Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the WISD
      • Catholic Social Services/MDOC 
      • A Brighter Way & Washtenaw Literacy 
      • Eastern Michigan University
  • EMU social work students will be able to use this AmerICorps position to meet their internship requirements.
• Contact Us Expand dropdown
  Interested in learning more about this program? Contact our AmeriCorps Program Director, Courtney Morris, at [email protected], or call 734.487.6570
• Funding Expand dropdown
  

  AmeriCorps

  We are an AmeriCorps grantee and receive funds as part of their State and National program. Visit their website, to lean more.

  Go to AmeriCorps Website