Reentry Community Activity

The Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign offers media tools and resources to support informed discussion, decision making, and action about solution-based reentry programs that foster public safety and support healthy communities. We encourage you to review the diverse materials and consider how you may be able to use them effectively.

The Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign acts as a catalyst to encourage solution-based reentry activities. Review this chronicle of public television and community events/actions to gain ideas on what may work in your arena.

U.S. Conference of Mayors

On April 28, 2004, Outreach Extensions presented an overview of the Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Leadership Forum on Faith-Based Approaches to Societal Re-Integration of Ex-Offenders.” The half-day forum included more than 80 mayors, mayoral staff, and heads of community and governmental organization for dialogue on the dramatic increase of formerly incarcerated men and women who are reentering communities after their release from prison.

According to the organization’s press release, the meeting was the first in a series of forums focused on coordinating the efforts of the faith community with city officials and community leaders to assist individuals who were formerly incarcerated. In June, Recommendations from the Summit will be brought before the full body of the Conference of Mayors for policy considerations at its 72nd Annual Meeting in Boston.

“Because of their ties to the community, it makes sense to reach out to faith and community-based organizations to create opportunities for ex-offenders,” said USCM Executive Tom Cochran.

The USCM launched the new Mayors Center for Faith-Based Initiatives at its January 2004 Winter Meeting. The purpose of the Center is to inform, educate, and train mayors, city-designated faith-based liaisons, and other public servants on how to engage the faith community for more effective partnerships and service.

Outreach Extensions plans to offer Reentry documentaries to local municipalities represented at the forum for broadcast on their local employee networks. In addition, selected works will be translated for Spanish-speaking audiences.