NJ Reentry Corporation to assist those returning from prison opens in Carteret
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CARTERET - A new facility has opened in the borough that offers a fresh beginning to those returning from prison, jail, addiction treatment and military service with support programs and job training.
The New Jersey Reentry Corporation held the grand opening last week for its new Middlesex County facility in the Carteret Shopping Center, 762 Roosevelt Ave. New Jersey Reentry Corporation is a nonprofit organization that provides critically needed services for individuals post-release and helps the reentry population achieve healthy self-sufficiency.
Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who grew up in Carteret, serves as chairman of the board.
The 6,000-square-foot Carteret facility will accommodate three classrooms and training areas, a computer laboratory, and 10 offices, 5 of which will be with dedicated to the Veterans Outreach Team, led by Sharon McGreevey, director of veteran services.
The new Veterans Services Center will address the critical needs of those veterans who have returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan and continue to struggle with mental health, addiction treatment and medical needs.
The site will connect former inmates to mental health and addiction treatment, job training and employment, government assistance such as SNAP, food stamps and Medicaid and services such as obtaining a driver's license. A New Jersey Department of Corrections New Jersey Reentry Corporation nurse navigation agreement provides links to healthcare services for women returning from the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility.
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Gov. Phil Murphy said his administration understands the importance of giving everyone a second chance to remake their lives and help heal communities.
"For those returning from prison, jail, addiction treatment, and war, there is the added burden of confronting the trauma of one's past. Tragically, veterans have among the highest incidence of mental illness, homelessness, and suicide in this country. This center will serve as a resource for our state’s veterans and as the state hub for New Jersey Reentry Corporation veteran services. I am certain this center will continue the necessary work to heal those who have served our nation," Murphy said.
"Forgiveness is necessary for all persons, for the people we aggrieve, as well as the persons who aggrieve us," said Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark. "At the heart of the reentry mission are new beginnings, new behaviors, and a new sense of the Beatitudes. This Reentry Center will offer connection to critically needed services, including federal, state, and county benefits, as well medical and legal services. Most importantly, this Reentry Center will offer the open promise of personal redemption and transformation,."
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NJRC presently has enrolled 18,702 program participants, while training 4,465 annually in financial literacy, computer fundamentals, Google digital literacy and workplace readiness.
The organization said 1,766 participants have received “industry-recognized” skill credentials.
In addition 8,619 people are enrolled in medical treatment, 15,267 are enrolled in addiction treatment programs/medication assisted treatment, and 5,591 are enrolled in psychiatric/mental health treatment facilities. Additionally, 13,271 program participants have enrolled in Medicaid, with 3,160 receiving birth certificates and 3,211 MVC identification/driver’s licenses issued.
“The new site will ensure that a thousand persons per year will be able to receive critically needed wraparound services for those returning from prison, jail, addiction treatment, and combat,” said Robert Carter, NJRC chief operating officer.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Reentry Corporation to assist those returning from prison opens in Carteret
