Saturday, April 13,2024
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Main and South Street, Ashfield
Gloriosa, South Street, Ashfield
This event is free and open to the public. Walk ins are welcome, but RSVP is encouraged for the meal.
Threefold Mission of the Forum
- To educate the community about the challenges and issues for those moving from incarceration to community
- To provide practical real-world opportunities for contributing to the initiatives and solutions already in place
- To offer the presenters an occasion to understand and connect with their partners in this vital work
Schedule
8:30 a.m. Registration and Refreshments
9:00 a.m.: Keynote at St. John’s sanctuary: Daryl McGraw, founder of Formerly Inc., Criminal Justice & Reentry Consultants. Formerly Inc. was created to help individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by the ill effects of mass incarceration and or addiction. Daryl, holds state certifications as an Addictions Counselor, Recovery Support Specialist, and a Criminal Justice Professional. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, both from Springfield College. Prior to entering the human service field, Mr. McGraw held several leadership positions in the hospitality field working for Fortune 500 companies.
10:00 a.m.: Breakout I at the Curtis House
The Realities of Addiction and Recovery, Caitlin McKinnon, Day Treatment Site Supervisor, Recovery Coach SupervisorBrien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Dr. Jennifer Michaels, Medical Director of the Brien Center, an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and an attending psychiatrist at Berkshire Medical Center; KC Scott, AA facilitator in the prison seeting
Finding Meaningful Work, Maureen McLaughlin, Maureen does employment work at Berkshire Community College. She’s worked extensively with previously incarcerated people.; Sgt. Lindsay Maynard, M.Ed., Lindsay is the Correctional Caseworker, Women’s Re-Entry and Aftercare for Second Street, Second Chances and the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office; Nell Todd, Partner, Deloitte, consultant on criminal justice reform with DOJ
The Transformative Role of Education and Literacy Sarah Hertel-Fernandez, Librarian, Belding Memorial Library, Chelsea Jordan-Makely, Librarian, Griswold Memorial Library; Jenn Ables. Education Coordinator at Franklin County Jail; Dr. Jeffrey Eiseman, Professor of Education, UMass, prison education evaluator
The Lived Experience: Journeys from Within, Nathan Demo, Daryl McGraw, Tiffany Brouillette, Mary D’Alessandro, Episcopal Chaplain for Western Massachusetts Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee
The Evolving Role of the Legal System: Lessons Learned, Chris Donelon, Franklin County Sheriff ; Ed Hayes, Assistant Superintendent; David Sullivan, District Attorney; Alyssa Golden, CORI/Reentry Senior Supervising Attorney
11:00 Breakout II Session
Breakout Sessions will be repeated, followed by lunch at noon
12:00 p.m. Lunch at the Curtis House Barn
12:15 p.m.: There will be a special 32-minute video presentation entitled: “The Roots of Change” — the Senior Documentary created by the class of 2024 at Four Rivers Charter Public School in Greenfield, MA. Through the lens of formerly incarcerated individuals finding a path forward in green reentry programs. “Roots of Change” is sponsored by the First Congregational Church (UCC) of Ashfield as part of its Young Voices: Listening to our Youth initiative. This initiative is funded in part by grants from the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.This is a great blending of our two missions.
12:45 p.m.: Panel of Speakers facilitated by Nell Todd, Partner, Deloitte, consultant on criminal justice reform with DOJ
1:30 p.m.: Adjourn