(Photo from Catholic Charities of Cortland County Facebook page).
Catholic Charities of Cortland County announced today that they have received $210,000 to start a new program that will offer support services to people returning to the community from jail and prison. Funded by the Mother Cabrini Foundation, the Pathways to Reentry program will work with people who want to build a productive life after incarceration.
According to Marie Walsh, Executive Director of Catholic Charites, the agency has been working since 2017 to start a program like this. “We are anxious to have services available to people at the time of their release from prison or jail that help them meet individual needs such as housing, job training, employment, and health services,” she said.
This initiative stems from a collaboration of local criminal justice and human service professionals looking to respond to high rates of incarceration and repeat incarceration in the area. Walsh also serves as chairperson of the Community Reentry Council, which brings together staff members from a variety of area agencies, including the Cortland County Sheriff Office, the Cortland County Mental Health, Social Services and Probation Departments, NYS Department of Corrections, OCM BOCES, Employment Connection, Beacon Center, Family and Children’s Counseling Services, and Family Health Network.
Two full-time staff will be available to provide support and case management specifically geared to people reentering the community after jail or prison. For more information, contact Catholic Charities in Cortland, 607 756-5992, www.ccocc.org.
