ARRO
Advocacy, Re-entry, Resources and Outreach (ARRO) is a
branch of our Outreach Program that connects ex-offenders
and their friends and families to quality resources to ensure
successful community reintegration. Click here for our
brochure!
ARRO is Hosting an Ex-Offender Support Group
On March 2nd, 9th, and 16th, ARRO will host an ex-offender
support group. The support group is designed for men and
women who have been incarcerated and are seeking to make
positive change in their lives. It will provide education and
emotional support for people working on being successful
after their release. Meetings will be held at NorthWest
Initiative, 1012 N. Walnut St. Room 107, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Coffee and light snacks will be provided. If you would like
more information please call John at 999-2895.
ARRO Hosts Workshops
The ARRO Program is offering monthly workshops on topics
pertaining to self-improvement and leadership development.
Our next workshop is designed to help individuals who may
be interested in learning about going to college. Join us on
Thursday March 25, 2010 from 1-3 pm as our guest speaker
shares insights and helpful information on “College
Readiness After Parole”. Also, on April 29, 2010 from 1-3
pm, we will offer “How to Volunteer”. Both workshops will be
held at NorthWest Initiative, 1012 N. Walnut St., Suite 107. For
more information, please call Maria or Monica at 999-2895.
Please Donate Personal Needs Items!
We have many wonderful agencies providing shelter, a weeks
worth of food, some bus tokens, and other services. However
on many occasions people don’t think about other things that
one needs to keep a healthy and hygienic living environment.
One of the rising needs we have found among our re-entering
population is personal needs items. ARRO is taking
monetary donations or unused personal needs items. Items
being accepted are feminine products, toothbrushes
mouthwash, body soap, shaving cream, deodorant, combs,
brushes, small face washing towels, toilet paper and some
laundry items such as bleach, softener, laundry soap, and
trash bags. Products can be dropped off at our offices
located at 1012 N. Walnut St. Room 106. For questions
please contact Maria at (517) 999-2895 or email her at
maria@nwlansing.org.
Please Welcome ARRO’s 2009 Advisory Board
ARRO would like to introduce the Advisory Board for 2009.
This year’s Board is made up of a unique group of people.
Their backgrounds and work experience range from
substance abuse to law to education. The members include:
Thomas Carmoney (not pictured), Stephanie Fisher, Robert
Fluke, Lisa Haston, Valerie Johnson (Treasurer), Wrae Loring
(Secretary), Jamar McDonald (Vice President), Robert Snow
and Chaunte Sterling (President). Please help us welcome
our new board who is here to diligently help those who are re-
entering into the community. If you have any questions on
need more information, please contact NorthWest Initiative at
(517) 999-2895.
ARRO Wants to Challenge our Business Community
Recently, ARRO attended a working meeting for re-entry
issues at the State Bar Association. It was amazing to listen
to how Grand Rapids and Cascade Engineering have made
great strides to open doors for employment for returning
citizens. The business community in Detroit also brought a
voice to this meeting, by combating the monies being spent in
corrections.
As the State Capitol of Michigan, it is time that Lansing and
Ingham County work toward setting an example in the
employment barrier for returning citizens. They are coming
back to the community - a fact that we can not ignore. It would
be beneficial for our community to open their arms to give ex-
felons a chance at a new life. They have done their time and
learned from their mistakes. Therefore, we at ARRO
challenge our community to make the same strides as Grand
Rapids. You can help by looking at the actual benefits of
hiring an ex-felon and by making more of an effort to hire
them. For more information, please contact Monica at (517)
999-2895.
Why is ARRO Important to the Community?
Between 600,000 and 700,000 people complete prison
sentences each year and return to communities all across
America. Helping ex-prisoners succeed serves the interests
of both offenders and communities. Communities are safer
and victimization is reduced when offenders succeed.
Peggy Burke and Micheal Tonry, in a publication for the
Lansing based Center for Effective Public Policy put it this
way: "Ex-prisoners who fail, generate new victims, reduce
public safety, and create enormous costs to process and
punish their new crimes and technical violations. They also
diminish their own lives damage the lives of their families and
loved ones. Everyone loses. Ex-prisoners who succeed
spare the rest of us those costs but also contribute to their
communities, support themselves and their families, and
improve thier own lives. Everyone wins."
The Ex-offender Outreach Program at NorthWest Initiative,
with the help of the community, wants to make sure that
"everyone wins!"
branch of our Outreach Program that connects ex-offenders
and their friends and families to quality resources to ensure
successful community reintegration. Click here for our
brochure!
ARRO is Hosting an Ex-Offender Support Group
On March 2nd, 9th, and 16th, ARRO will host an ex-offender
support group. The support group is designed for men and
women who have been incarcerated and are seeking to make
positive change in their lives. It will provide education and
emotional support for people working on being successful
after their release. Meetings will be held at NorthWest
Initiative, 1012 N. Walnut St. Room 107, from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Coffee and light snacks will be provided. If you would like
more information please call John at 999-2895.
ARRO Hosts Workshops
The ARRO Program is offering monthly workshops on topics
pertaining to self-improvement and leadership development.
Our next workshop is designed to help individuals who may
be interested in learning about going to college. Join us on
Thursday March 25, 2010 from 1-3 pm as our guest speaker
shares insights and helpful information on “College
Readiness After Parole”. Also, on April 29, 2010 from 1-3
pm, we will offer “How to Volunteer”. Both workshops will be
held at NorthWest Initiative, 1012 N. Walnut St., Suite 107. For
more information, please call Maria or Monica at 999-2895.
Please Donate Personal Needs Items!
We have many wonderful agencies providing shelter, a weeks
worth of food, some bus tokens, and other services. However
on many occasions people don’t think about other things that
one needs to keep a healthy and hygienic living environment.
One of the rising needs we have found among our re-entering
population is personal needs items. ARRO is taking
monetary donations or unused personal needs items. Items
being accepted are feminine products, toothbrushes
mouthwash, body soap, shaving cream, deodorant, combs,
brushes, small face washing towels, toilet paper and some
laundry items such as bleach, softener, laundry soap, and
trash bags. Products can be dropped off at our offices
located at 1012 N. Walnut St. Room 106. For questions
please contact Maria at (517) 999-2895 or email her at
maria@nwlansing.org.
Please Welcome ARRO’s 2009 Advisory Board
ARRO would like to introduce the Advisory Board for 2009.
This year’s Board is made up of a unique group of people.
Their backgrounds and work experience range from
substance abuse to law to education. The members include:
Thomas Carmoney (not pictured), Stephanie Fisher, Robert
Fluke, Lisa Haston, Valerie Johnson (Treasurer), Wrae Loring
(Secretary), Jamar McDonald (Vice President), Robert Snow
and Chaunte Sterling (President). Please help us welcome
our new board who is here to diligently help those who are re-
entering into the community. If you have any questions on
need more information, please contact NorthWest Initiative at
(517) 999-2895.
ARRO Wants to Challenge our Business Community
Recently, ARRO attended a working meeting for re-entry
issues at the State Bar Association. It was amazing to listen
to how Grand Rapids and Cascade Engineering have made
great strides to open doors for employment for returning
citizens. The business community in Detroit also brought a
voice to this meeting, by combating the monies being spent in
corrections.
As the State Capitol of Michigan, it is time that Lansing and
Ingham County work toward setting an example in the
employment barrier for returning citizens. They are coming
back to the community - a fact that we can not ignore. It would
be beneficial for our community to open their arms to give ex-
felons a chance at a new life. They have done their time and
learned from their mistakes. Therefore, we at ARRO
challenge our community to make the same strides as Grand
Rapids. You can help by looking at the actual benefits of
hiring an ex-felon and by making more of an effort to hire
them. For more information, please contact Monica at (517)
999-2895.
Why is ARRO Important to the Community?
Between 600,000 and 700,000 people complete prison
sentences each year and return to communities all across
America. Helping ex-prisoners succeed serves the interests
of both offenders and communities. Communities are safer
and victimization is reduced when offenders succeed.
Peggy Burke and Micheal Tonry, in a publication for the
Lansing based Center for Effective Public Policy put it this
way: "Ex-prisoners who fail, generate new victims, reduce
public safety, and create enormous costs to process and
punish their new crimes and technical violations. They also
diminish their own lives damage the lives of their families and
loved ones. Everyone loses. Ex-prisoners who succeed
spare the rest of us those costs but also contribute to their
communities, support themselves and their families, and
improve thier own lives. Everyone wins."
The Ex-offender Outreach Program at NorthWest Initiative,
with the help of the community, wants to make sure that
"everyone wins!"
| Get Involved! |
| Share your Ideas Are you interested in what this community is doing to improve the area and want to help the people living and working in the North Westside area? Spare some time for a good cause, come and share some of your ideas with us! (Contact info below) |
| Donate It feels good to give and it helps your community. Every effort is appreciated and together we can make a difference and have fun while doing it! You can even specify which programs you would like to fund! (Contact info below) |
| Volunteer We are always looking for volunteers to work in our office, school gardens, and to help with projects like flower planters, events, advocacy and more! Giving your time for a good cause is a rewarding experience! (Contact info below) |
| Intern We are always looking for student interns to work in a wide variety of settings, with skills ranging from human services and social work to computer technology. NWI is a great place to gain some experience and to begin your career! (Contact info below) |
| Contact Us! If you would like to learn more about becoming a partner, sponsor, volunteer or intern; contact Peggy at 517-999-2894; peggy@nwlansing.org |
| NorthWest Initiative - North Neighborhood Center 1012 North Walnut, Lansing, MI 48906 Phone: 517-999-2894 Fax: 517-999-2897 |
| The ARRO program hosts an annual Prison Poetry Project. Inmate poetry is read by prominent community leaders and all monies raised go to support our ex-offender program. For more information about the Annual Prison Poetry Project, contact Maria at 999-2895. |
