Being Response-Able for ReEntry is about
Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity

Belonging:
to experience love and acceptance, to be known and valued and missed

The R.A.R.E. Institute intentionally nurtures a sense of belonging from experienced peers as participants support each other through risk taking and accountability. The Institute for Response-Able ReEntry recognizes that having a strong family support system is vital to successful reentry. Therefore, the Institute requires a Family-member-Sponsor. Additionally, Institute participants work toward mastering skills that they need to create safe environments of belonging for themselves and for their families.

Mastery:
to learn things and be good at them, to gain understanding and competence in coping with the world

• Practicing skills for positive and effective interpersonal interactions
• Developing new patterns of thinking
• Recognizing that conflict can provide an opportunity for better communication and understanding
• Strengthening family, community and employment relationships
• Managing personal and interpersonal conflict

Independence:
to exercise free will, to accept responsibility, to make decisions and choose alternatives

The Institute requires each participant to make choices and create a structured plan for a thoughtful, healthy lifestyle. During the post release phase men attend to such issues as addressing outstanding debts (child support arrearages, restitution, etc.), employment, budgeting, and housing.

Generosity:
be concerned for others, to make commitments beyond one's self, to have purpose

Formerly incarcerated men - now trained and experienced as Response-Able ReEntry program teachers and facilitators - return to prison settings to give back to the society that they harmed and to pay forward by affecting the lives of others. As they work in prisons with incarcerated Institute participants, they combine their "been there, done that" experiences with new content knowledge, awareness of root causes of behavior and a self-awareness that allows them to be positive role models.

What Participants Experience
Incarcerated men experience feeling that they are capable of growth and change, and able to assume responsibility for their personal development. They choose to participate in the Institute's programs and coursework. From each point of entry, participants begin exploring their beliefs and thinking in the supportive program environment. They experience a positive membership in community because all of the Institute for Response-Able ReEntry programs intentionally nurture a sense of belonging as participants support each other through learning, risk taking and accountability.

What Participants Learn
Participants learn effective interpersonal communication, critical thinking, planning, decision-making and organization, how the human brain learns and functions, interest-based negotiations, conflict management, parenting and leadership skills and strategies.

What Participants Do and How
Inmate-participants select from the 32 - 200 hours of Institute programming that interests them and is available to them. They practice new skills and new thinking, use new behaviors and gain a mastery of new language and healthy habits. They intentionally plan their independence as they make the transition from prison to neighborhoods and the larger community.