2023 - Flipbook - Page 6
PRISON INREACH
Genaro Lovato came to Second Chance Center In
Second Chance Center Provides Pre-release planning
services inside the Colorado Department of Corrections
n April 2021, SCC was selected by the Crime Prevention
and Control Commission (CPCC) to take our re-entry model
inside Denver’s city and county jails with the goal of
closing the revolving door of repeat offenders and of halting
the inevitable journey from jail to prison. We began with a
contract to serve up to 400 people annually as they were
released; in FY 2023, SCC in the City (SCCIC), as it is now
known, served1,219 , and this does not include the more
than 1,000 people who have been arrested, but not charged
as part of the city’s diversion program. They are not eligible
for the CPPC services, but they also seek and deserve food,
shelter and support. Together with our many partners in
Denver, including the Denver Sheriff’s Office, we are turning
the tide and seeing fewer re-arrests, as well as more stories
of stability, like that of Genaro Lovato.
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The City (SCCIC) on October 25, 2022. He told SCCIC
staff that he was just looking for a phone and some
bus tickets to get to his family home for the evening.
He was adamant that he was not looking to change
his life; he was content with how he was living.
Genaro returned to SCCIC the next day. He had a
bandage around his arm and a few more cuts. Genaro
stated that he had just gotten out of the hospital and
had lost the phone voucher that was given to him.
He requested a few more bus tickets. Staff member
Rachel asked him where all the luggage was that he
had with him the previous day. Genaro admitted he
had lost all his belongings due to
overdosing the night before, which
landed him in the hospital.
Once Genaro shared this news,
SCCIC staff members drew him into
a careful conversation about his
situation. After about an hour
of talking, he allowed them to
assist getting him into TRIBE
Recovery Homes. Initially, he
insisted he didn’t want to go
there, but finally agreed to
give it a chance. There was
a lot of emotion during his
transition from resistance
to acceptance. Genaro just
needed a push supported
by extra love. TRIBE and
SCCIC worked diligently to
place him immediately.
By November, Genaro had a job
and SCCIC staff helped him obtain
work boots and tools to get him
started. Genaro is currently clean and
has been appointed house manager
at one of the TRIBE Recovery Homes.
Genaro has re-connected with his
children and is rebuilding relationships that
he thought he would never recover. He stays in close
contact with his care manager and is very thankful
for the help, love, and support that he received and
continues to receive from SCCIC. We are so proud of
Genaro and his accomplishments.
