Bars Are Not the Only Barriers: Realities for a Returning Citizen

On October 19, 2011, JOTF, Health Care for the Homeless and SHARP, a coalition of service providers and advocates working to Stop Homelessness and Reduce Poverty, hosted a reentry focused forum entitled "Bars Are Not the Only Barriers: Realities for a Returning Citizen" at the Our Daily Bread Employment Center.

Attended by approximately 60 people, Tomi Hiers, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of the Mayor's Office of Human Services, provided opening remarks.  Lisa Klingenmaier presented Health Care for the Homeless' new research report "Still Serving Time: Incarceration and Re-Entry in Maryland."  Rev. Kwame Osei moderated a panel which included Alfreda Robinson-Dawkins, Founder and Executive Director of the National Women's Prison Project, Inc., Jason Perkins-Cohen, JOTF Executive Director, Purman Smith, Health Care for the Homeless client, and Monica Cooper, Leadership Development Organizer for Out For Justice.  Panel members answered questions regarding challenges faced by those with a criminal background and initiatives to facilitate successful re-entry.