Katie Dawkins, NCAH Communications Manager
I’ll be the first to admit that I know very little about the challenges people face when they re-enter their communities after being involved in the justice system. Last year, some of these challenges were brought up in a series of conversations with some of our partners across the state. There were many moments when I said, “I had no idea.” I felt like I kept saying that over and over and over. I really had no idea. What I did know is that I wanted to know more. It was clear that there is a health equity issue that I hadn’t considered and I am pretty sure many others haven’t either. It’s time that we learn more about these challenges.
Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We need to know better so we can do better. To that end, we invite you to join NCAH and StepUp Durham on May 19th at 3:00 pm for a panel conversation to learn about the challenges facing North Carolinians with justice system involvement and how policies and programs address these challenges. The panel will include Cashmere Bentley, Program Manager at StepUp Durham; Evan Ashkin, MD, Director of Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program; Dorel Clayton, Community Health Worker at FIT Program of Durham; and Amber Wade, Assistant to the Mayor, City of Durham.
Register now for Health and People with Justice System Involvement: Programs and Policies to Support Reentry. It is free and open to everyone. We hope that you will join us!