Non-profit dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated women

This is the sixth installment in a series of segments compiled as a collaboration between Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and Arizona PBS. This segment is centered around a non-profit dedicated to helping women.

CFA surveyed Arizonans in their Gallup poll about what kind of Arizona they would like to see. The survey results unearthed seven shared values amongst Arizonans. CFA then did a deeper dive and looked at ways to take action and make Arizona more fair and equitable for all.

Bridges Reentry is a non-profit dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated women re-enter the community. The program offers an in-home residential program where the women live and grow together.

Deacon Gay Romack, the founder of Bridges Reentry, started the program because a woman she spoke to was terrified of what life was going to look like after she was released.

“She was so excited and I was excited for her and then I looked at her and I saw that she was petrified,” Romack said. “And she said, ‘I don’t know where I’m going from here.’ And I knew I needed to do something then.”

Tisha Weir, a participant in the Bridges Reentry program said the program helped her start a new path to life.

“I rook the time to really work on myself and get to know who I was,” Weir said. “I worked a corporate America job. I was taught, sales, marketing, project management. I also had the ability to take college classes as well, and received my associate’s degree while incarcerated.”

At home, they learn how to apply for jobs, complete their education and learn financial literacy. They also receive one-on-one mentoring as well as substance abuse counseling.

Once they complete the two-year program, they will have a savings account, a job and the ability to find housing.