GEO had the privilege of hosting a reentry empowerment segment at its South Bay Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. GEO was one of the hundred facilities on the tour led by Kardell Sims, the founder of "On the Inside" Reentry Academy. Kardell is a Virtual Vocational Rehabilitation Group Facilitator at GEO’s Kingman Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, as well as a motivational speaker from Sedalia, Missouri. Despite facing challenges in his own life, Kardell transformed his mindset through reading and education, leaving behind a life of crime and dedicating himself to personal growth. He is now a successful advocate for reentry opportunities for justice involved individuals across the country, and his story inspired our South Bay participants.
We were also joined by Aaron Smith, a justice-involved college graduate from Chicago, Illinois, who hosts the podcast "Escaping the Odds." Escaping the Odds focuses on justice-involved individuals who are now successful entrepreneurs. Aaron was once incarcerated and today, Aaron owns a freight line, providing transitional housing for justice involved individuals, and produces a podcast viewed nationwide. He generously offered to document the entire 100-facility journey, which will be featured on his podcast show after the tour concludes.
Additionally, South Bay participants had the privilege of hearing from one of GEO's own alumni, Oswald Newbold, who was recently awarded an Ephesus Community Impact Award for Outstanding Community Impact. Oswald served two and a half decades for violent offenses before walking into his destiny with purpose. Since becoming a returned citizen, he has made significant strides in life working as a Reentry Case Manager for the City of Riviera Beach, becoming a business owner, and creating a non-profit organization.
These three remarkable individuals, who defied the odds stacked against them, shared their experiences and wisdom with our South Bay participants. GEO's Continuum of Care®
program regularly brings in guest speakers to empower and inspire its participants, providing hope for a life beyond the confines of prison. Through a range of programs and services, participants are equipped with the necessary tools for successful reintegration. Visits, testimonies, and workshops by former inmates enhance the existing program, allowing participants to relate to individuals who have traveled similar paths. In this particular event, 130 participants from South Bay's population, who were within 18 months of release, attended the session. The audience eagerly absorbed the insights shared by each speaker, covering topics such as family, fatherhood, employment, healthy lifestyles, finance, relationships, and entrepreneurship for justice-involved individuals. The participants were enlightened by the possibilities for their future and engaged in a Q&A session with the speakers before the event concluded.
