Project Reentry

Thank you to the Ingham County Bar Association for this incredible honor! The Liberty Bell Award recognizes outstanding service performed by non-lawyers who have given time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice. We can't wait to celebrate with you on November 17.

Congratulations to our incredible 2026 Liberty Bell Award recipient, Project Reentry from The State Appellate Defenders Office! Your hard work, dedication, and impact continue to inspire us all. Join us in celebrating their achievements at our Annual Dinner on November 17, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza (925 S Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI). It promises to be an unforgettable evening of recognition, networking, and celebration!

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/132nd-annual-dinner-tickets-1986361620077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Last week, Attorney Jackie Ouvry and Reentry Supervisor Anna Kohn welcomed a special and long-overdue visit with Duyonn Vincent who returned home back in December after over 34 years inside. He has been moving through life so productively, it took us this long to connect! Now, he’s on to the next phase of life down south with his beloved family.

His words of advice: “life is all about making the right choices and not being afraid of what is to come next!”

Don't miss this one! Our biggest event of the year returns this SUNDAY, 9/20! Make sure you RSVP by tomorrow. We can't wait to see you there!

Join Project Reentry on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

Our End-of-Summer Gathering will be held at Detroit’s beautiful Belle Isle in Shelter #6.

Formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, and reentry community partners are welcome. We’ll provide the burgers, dogs, and water. Please bring a dish to share if you can.

Be sure to RSVP by September 16 here:

docs.google.com

It’s been a great week of former juvenile lifer homecomings with Project Reentry! Yesterday, attorney Nicole Duncan and Project Reentry’s Alexis Smith welcomed Barry Walmsley home after 31 years inside (and our SADO Clerk, Ervin Jennings also joined the welcome wagon for his dear old friend). Today, Project Reentry’s Lorenzo Harrell brought Jermaine Stevenson home after serving 35 years. His attorney, Jackie Ouvry was so thrilled to greet him at SADO. Welcome home, Barry and Jermaine, here’s to living your very best lives!

We’re excited to present the latest edition of The Drum, featuring updates, stories, and resources from Project Reentry. Check it out and share!

www.sado.org

Today, Project Reentry’s Alexis Smith and Anna Kohn joined hundreds of attendees, including partners, friends, and former SADO clients from around the state at the 2026 Reentry United Conference in Grand Rapids. We are so grateful to OS Region 4’s Angie Sprank and her team for their transformational work championing the power of peer-to-peer engagement and breaking down barriers to strengthen connections between the community and MDOC.

Were you sentenced to life without parole as a minor and have since been released from prison? This paid survey opportunity is for you. Help support advocacy efforts to advance Second Look reforms!

Click the link to confirm eligibility for the study:
https://redcap.link/UCLA-NationalSecondChancesStudy

We are excited to share that our End-of-Summer Gathering is back for its 4th year! Join Project Reentry on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

Our End-of-Summer Gathering will be held at Detroit’s beautiful Belle Isle in Shelter #6.

Formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, and reentry community partners are welcome. We’ll provide the burgers, dogs, and drinks. Please bring a dish to share if you can.

Be sure to RSVP by September 16 here: www.sado.org/go/gosummer26

A belated but enthusiastic WELCOME HOME to Brian Hamilton! After 28 years incarcerated as a juvenile lifer, Brian returned to his loving family on June 23rd and included a stop over to SADO to hug and thank his team, attorney Alison Swain and reentry specialist Lorenzo Harrell. We are so excited to see you take these next steps in life, Brian.

Join Project Reentry for our June workshop! Ready to advance your education or career? In this workshop, Penny Kane of Detroit Reconnect will highlight the free educational and skilled trades scholarship opportunities available through Detroit Reconnect and provide guidance on how returning citizens can access these valuable resources.

Monday, June 29 at SADO Detroit
6:00 - 7:00 pm
RSVP: www.sado.org/go/detreconnect

See you there!