• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Internships / CM Guide to Project Re-entry: A Chance for Change Internship

CM Guide to Project Re-entry: A Chance for Change Internship

August 19, 2019 //  by Jaclyn Childress

Shares16FacebookTweet

Making a difference one county at a time, Project Re-entry resides in 16 counties across North Carolina. Different from others, they give a new name to the idea of ‘re-entry’. While many prisons offer some sort of reentry program, this particular one provides intensive pre-release and post-release services to those currently and formerly incarcerated. Looking for a position where you can give back and better your community? Then you have found the right place.

What They Do

project re-entry
flickr.com

Around five months before an inmate’s release, he or she can qualify to join the reentry program. This consists of a 16 week group course that helps re-acclimate prisoners to daily life outside of the cell walls. The group curriculum takes prisoners through the changes and information about the outside world that they missed out on. Project Re-entry also provides personal care, whether they need to know how to tie a tie or how to sit at the DMV for a driver’s license — even how to send a text message. They also have a post release program that works with prisoners 90 days after their release. This can consist of case management, counseling, employment training and more. 

From starting as just a dream and still running out of a building shared with Goodwill, it has turned into quite the saving grace for many former prisoners. “The unique partnership with Goodwill Industries of NWNC has given us the avenue to expand Project Re-entry by providing funding for staff.  The remaining funds come from grants,” Project Family Engagement Coordinator Tonja Fultz said. Many employees have spent some time behind bars which makes Project Re-entry such a unique organization. Their dedication for helping others going through this experience truly makes the difference. 

Who We Help

project re-entry
pixabay.com

Project Re-Entry helps many prisoners get back on their feet and understand the differences between life in and out of prison. Along with helping those inside the cells, they also help families of those imprisoned. This organization gives different services and support to the children and other family members. They also work with the inmates to ensure they can care for their child once released, attend classes on different daily struggles and get the support that many do not receive once leaving prison. Since many may not feel prepared to care for their children afterwards, Project Family works to make that a fear of the past. Many prisoners get released from jail and end up falling back into the cycle of crime due to the difficulties that they face alone. But with these services, they receive more of a fresh start and have someone beside them — someone who may have even done it before — to walk them through it. 

What It’s Really Like

project re-entry
en.wikimedia.org

The energy at Project Re-Entry positively differs from many other work spaces. “Everyone is so passionate about the work. Some of the employees have been incarcerated, while some haven’t, but all are equally committed to helping former offenders. It is the type of job that someone will do only if they love the work,” Project Re-Entry Intern Seth Wood said. They put on and partake in many different events — even a Family Fun Day where you can face paint till your heart’s content. Nothing compares to getting to put a smile on those kids faces and leave even just a little impact on their lives. You can also go to different Re-Entry events around North Carolina, including reentry simulations where you get to try and replicate what struggles former inmates face after release. You get to meet so many other people intrigued by the process and wanting to help. Passion makes all the difference in this business because it showcases a want to help these people not an obligation.

What You’ll Learn

project re-entry
en.wikimedia.org

Depending on the position, your level of interaction may differ. Many people, however, don’t fully understand the frustrations that former prisoners experience once released. “Numerous small obstacles add to the difficulties of former offenders’ reentering society. I knew there would be stigma involved and it may be difficult to get a job, but there are many actions a former offender is required to take once they are released,” Wood said. From not having a state ID to not having enough money to meet with parole officers, many times it seems that former offenders don’t get the help they need to succeed. Seeing the difficulties and negative connotation attached to these former inmates for yourself creates a strong desire for change in the reentry system.  

How to Get Involved

project re-entry
pexels.com

Getting involved at Project Re-Entry takes you just a few clicks. “We have had many students that have wanted to complete their internship with us to learn more about reentry, how reentry may be different that was they thought, and how our participants are successful. They send an email to  Tonja Fultz,” Founder of Project Re-Entry Rebecca Sauter said. Sending an email to Tonja Fultz gets your foot in the door. With no resume needed, the email to Tonja may result in an interview. The interview comes with little stress, as they really just want to see why you want to become a part of Project Re-Entry and what you can bring to the organization. The employers would love to see you passionate about helping and excited about wanting to partake in the work they do.  

Skills That Impress Them

project re-entry
pixnio.com

In this type of work environment, skills that impress differ from a normal “desk job.” In this case having real experience going through the reentry helps with the skill set. Going through the process yourself helps them make improvements in the curriculum by seeing what differences you would have liked to see in the process. “We believe that passion is a key in identifying potential candidates/student interns. Not everyone can or wants to work with “those people” and that is okay. Our participants deserve a case manager that wants to truly see them succeed,” Project Family Engagement Coordinator Tonja Fultz said. You can’t teach drive, but it can make or break their final employment decision. Having the ability to interact comfortably with people from all different backgrounds also comes in handy when attending different types of events. Project Re-Entry welcomes people from all different walks of life and backgrounds, so no need to panic about stressing for perfection.  

The Details

project re-entry
needpix.com

This type of work doesn’t fit everyone but Project Re-entry wants to make a difference in their communities and see a change in how former offenders cope and deal with daily life. It can all start with you. When looking for different positions, don’t shy away from showing your colors because the real you makes you stand out from the crowd. “Companies are interested in people who take initiative and have a positive attitude. Many employers value potential employees who fit into their culture that the company has established,” Wood said. With an environment full of devoted employees, you want to express your own desire to them because at the end of the day, the “want” to help others must shine through. Hopefully Project Re-Entry continues to grow as people begin to see the impact they have on not only the lives of the formerly incarcerated but on the families as well.

Ready to start your career journey by nailing that summer internship? Check out four steps that make it easy here.

Shares16FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Criminology Internships Life

About Jaclyn Childress

Avid writer, Wake Forest volleyball player and an aspiring investigative journalist. Jaclyn Childress is a junior at Wake Forest University studying Sociology and Communications.

You May Also Like

Rihanna and fashion magazines

15 Best Communications Internships For Summer 2021

10 Office Ethics Commandments That Apply to Daily Life

10 Ways to Get Closer to Finding the Internship of Your Dreams

earth

A Guide to 1% For The Planet

Council Foreign Relations Headquarters

CM’s Guide to the Council on Foreign Relations Internship

DCP

How to Nail the Disney College Program Application Process

How to Make Something of Rejection: Internship Edition

Making This Year Count

CM Guide to Project Re-entry: A Chance for Change Internship

flickr.com

CM’s Guide to The Franklin Institute Internships

No Money, No Problems? How to Make the Best Out of an Unpaid Internship

epsilon at career fair

CM’s Guide to an Epsilon Marketing Internship

Peachtree St

CM Guide to a VOX Teen Communications Internship

dave wedge boston college

Sharing Boston College Alumni Pride with Dave Wedge: The Ice Bucket Challenge

unsplash.com

CM’s Guide to A Public Space Literary Magazine Internship

dream internship girls in wedding dresses

How I Landed My Dream Internship at the “Say Yes to the Dress” Bridal Store

Sitting Made Simple

CM’s Guide to an Internship with Sitting Made Simple

CM’s Guide to the Smithsonian’s Social Media Internship

internship

I Needed the Highest Point in San Fran to See the Ups and Downs of My First Internship

entry level jobs

How to Maximize Your Time in Entry Level Jobs to Move Up Quick

Weight Watchers internship

Weight Watchers Internship

how to apply for a job

How to Apply for a Job to Get to the Interview of Your Dreams

New Acquisitions Inc. Internship Guide

google bold internship

Google BOLD Internship

Previous Post: «Woman looking up in front of book shelves Want to Become Better at Critical Thinking? Read Books.
Next Post: 10 Tips for Going Back to School: A Letter To Myself Friends smiling with hands in air»

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

CampusLife_sm
53

CM’s Top 10 Schools Doing Residential Life Right

coffee w heart
14

A Barista’s Guide to Making Delicious Coffee Drinks at Home

7

5 Tips for Getting Your Social Media Ready for the Professional World

tv
6

10 Popular Anime Shows You Need to Binge ASAP

Featured Chapter: UCLA

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.