Funders to approach for PHOENIX Rising Transitions

Mission Statement-PHOENIX Rising Transitions is a grassroots community-based organization that provides transitional support including education, mentoring and community building with special concern for releasing convicts, ex-convicts and their families, crime victims, and the community at large. Program Accomplishments- 1)Prison InReach-PHOENIX offers a weekly 2-hour leadership class at Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI), a mens releasing prison in Portland, Oregon. The class focuses on a variety of topics related to successful re-entry to the community and strengthing communication skills through interaction with community members joining the class.Twenty-three men participated over the course of the year, averaging 7 classes each. Nine core members averaged 15 classes each. The class resumed serving as a practicum site for Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing students doing fieldwork and studying the impact of incarceration on health (see The Impact of Incarceration on Health below). In addition to the six students doing fieldwork. 26 community members joined the class as well. 2) In-the-Community Projects- Peer Mentoring: Peer mentor continued to foster partnerships for both recruitment purposes and connecting mentees with resources. His work covered Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties (Portland metro area). He had 788 contact hours through 471 unique encounters with nearly 100 clients over the course of the year. Tools for Transformation Class: This community-based class for formerly incarcerated people was funded by a grant from Oregon Health Authority. It was designed to identify Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and build resilience in the face of life stresses that typically trigger addictive and criminal behaviors. The class covered a variety of topics-such as overdose prevention, mindfulness, food preparation, body awareness, and more-facilitated by staff and guest presenters. The class also included cultural advisors (people who have been incarcerated and are now living pro-social lives). Typically, 6-10 students participated in each class. Classes were held in 12-week cohorts four times during the year. 3) The Impact of Incarceration on Health-PHOENIX continued to make presentations at OHSU School of Nursing throughout the year to their Populations Class that studies determinants of health-in this case, incarceration. These presentations were made by staff and formerly incarcerated PHOENIX members who had made real change in their lives after release. Six students did their fieldwork with PHOENIX. Their presence livened discussions with the men in class and brought new pro-social perspectives to rejoining the community upon release. Topics focused on trauma and resilience, wellness, interacting positively with community members, and nonviolent…