Returning Citizens Americorps Program

Navigation: Returning Citizens AmeriCorps Program (NRCA) situates 18-22 AmeriCorps members to serve as Navigation Coaches to formerly incarcerated individuals (both those on parole and non-parole) pursuing post-secondary experiences including community college, four year college, certified training programs and professional certificates at college/university sites, the County Sheriff’s Re-Entry program and re-entry focused non-profits in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

How can we create some type of resource that assists formerly incarcerated individuals in navigating the higher education landscape at the beginning of their post-incarceration journey?
  • 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. 
  • Primary Argument 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.
  • Details  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 
        • EMU
    • EMU social work students will be able to use this AmerICorps position to meet their internship requirements.
  • Contact  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.