Re-entry Transition Center

The Re-entry Transition Center

Sponsored by United Way, The Re-entry Transition Center (RTC) coordinates reentry services for formerly incarcerated people leaving county, state and federal jails and prisons. The RTC coordinates a range of essential reentry resources in one location. The goal is to foster the financial independence and well-being of a highly challenged and potentially isolated population. This in turn can reduce recidivism and increase community safety and well-being.

Objectives

The RTC aims to

Assist formerly incarcerated individuals in connecting with community by providing for their immediate needs and navigation to essential services
Increase the rate of successful reintegration, which creates safer, stronger, healthier communities for everyone
Promote systemic changes in how we approach reentry by incorporating coordinated community-based resources.
Foster safe and stable communities
Provide evidence-based best practices that prove the cost effectiveness of our approach

An At-Risk Population

Multnomah County receives the highest percentage of newly released prisoners from penal institutions of all Oregon counties: over 150 individuals are released from state and federal prisons to the county each month. Former prisoners are often released with few if any assets, limited ties to the community, and low awareness of available services and programs to help.

How it Works

The RTC provides for immediate needs of former prisoners through:

Meals
Hygiene products
Access to phone, email and internet
Alcohol and drug assessments
Emergency temporary housing

The RTC provides for long term goals through navigating and supporting access to:

Faith-based or peer-to-peer mentoring
Education and vocational training
Employment needs, like job soft-skills training and interview clothing
Parenting and family reconciliation programs
Alcohol and drug treatment
Health and dental treatment
Assistance with navigating self-employment and disability services

More information