Austin/Travis County Reentry Systems Simulation The Harsh Realities of Post-Incarceration Reentry On April 11, 2025, the Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable hosted a powerful and eye-opening Systems Simulation at Austin Community College’s Rio Grande Campus. Funded through local support, this immersive event was designed to give community members, service providers, and system stakeholders a firsthand look at the […]
Read MoreCheck out this video to see the monthly topics of RAP’s 2024 meeting series. We hope to see you in 2025!
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner: Path from Prison to Purpose Written by Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow Brenda had spent 8 years in prison, or as she liked to call it, her “college for her bad decisions.” When she was released, she found herself in Austin, Texas, with a heart full of hope and an ankle monitor keeping […]
Read More
Written by Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow As someone deeply immersed in the reentry landscape, I’m excited to share highlights from our first three Reentry Services Community of Practice sessions and set the stage for future updates. Our inaugural session on May 10, 2024, at RARE Academy marked the beginning of our collaborative journey. […]
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner: How to Market Yourself as a Valuable Hire By Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow In today’s job market, many employers are looking for dedicated and reliable employees, and you have a lot to offer. As someone with a criminal background, you can still find meaningful employment by marketing yourself effectively. Here are some […]
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner: My Reentry Roundtable Journey By Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow Over the past year, I have had the privilege of serving as the Austin Travis County Reentry Roundtable Fellow, and I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to extend my contract for another year. It has been an incredibly fulfilling […]
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner: New Skills Pay the Bills Written by Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow I get asked a lot about my transition from prison to purpose. I’ve been out for four and a half years now, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride. People often wonder how I got to where […]
Read MoreWritten by Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow Last October, I had the privilege to be a guest fellow with the University of Texas Hogg Foundation Mental Health Policy Academy. This exciting week in Washington, D.C. immersed me in the intricate realm of mental health policy. Here are some of the highlights of this incredible […]
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner: Announcing Lauren Johnson as the Reentry Roundtable Advocacy Fellowship Mentor! The Roundtable is pleased to announce Lauren Johnson as the Reentry Roundtable Advocacy Fellowship Mentor. This position was created in 2021 to support the Reentry Roundtable Advocacy Fellow in achieving their professional development goals and building long-term advocacy skills. Lauren was Reentry […]
Read MoreWritten by Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow The link between individuals becoming part of the criminal justice cycle and those suffering from mental illness seems to be on an upward trajectory. People with mental illness are arrested and sent to prison in disproportionate numbers, often due to a lack of awareness and resources in handling […]
Read More