RESTART (Re-Entry Support, Training, And Reintegration for Today )

Our project is about reducing friction for the re-entry of previously incarcerated, emerging adults. To contribute to the solution of the issues facing emerging adults returning from incarceration in the Missoula community, we will implement three workshop events to foster a sense of community and belongingness in the returning citizens population. The goal of these workshops is to aid in a smoother transition back into society, integrating components of social, personal, and community-based skill sets. We have found through surveying individuals who are currently or previously incarcerated in our targeted age range of 17-25 that a majority of those surveyed feel there is an overwhelming need for “soft skills”. Soft skills refer to psychosocial and interpersonal skills, as there is already a relatively adequate number of resources for general need-based opportunities and “hard skills,” which refer to the more technical and practical knowledge. These workshops will focus on fostering both of these skills. Our first workshop will consist of connecting returning citizens with a mentor. This mentor is a previously incarcerated individual who owns his own business, a barbershop. Our first event will take place at his barber shop, where he will give free haircuts to returning citizens. This event will also connect attendees with community resources through tabling. Our second event will take place at freecycles, where a local musician will lead a drum circle. Our target population indicated wanting to make music upon release, so this event will serve to connect community members over a shared interest. Our last workshop will be a community celebration in Bonner Park, to cultivate connection in an outdoor space. See also: Amplified@UM Podcast Episode (April 9, 2025)