Wayne County, N.C. — The Wayne County Reentry Council, led by Wayne Community College, has been named a 2025 Champion for Attainment by My Future NC, recognizing its impactful work supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through education, employment, and essential resources that facilitate successful community reintegration.
Established in 2022, the Wayne County Reentry Council is a collaborative network of government agencies, non-profits, businesses, and faith-based organizations dedicated to reducing recidivism and promoting workforce development. The council provides comprehensive services including job readiness workshops, vocational training, case management, and partnerships with local employers, all aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by justice-involved individuals.
“Wayne Community College serves as a trusted intermediary agency and beacon of hope in our community,” said Renita Dawson, Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education Services and Community Engagement at Wayne Community College and Executive Director of the Wayne County Reentry Council. “Strong coordination among partner organizations and a focus on the whole person—beyond their past—enable us to meet critical needs such as housing, employment, education, and mental health support.”
The council’s efforts build on initiatives like the Wayne County Detention Center Substance Misuse Program, started in 2020, which highlighted the need for enhanced reentry services. Individuals like Rashima, who shared their personal journeys during the webinar, attest to the transformative impact of the council’s work. Rashima described the program as a “360-degree turnaround,” marking her longest period out of incarceration and highlighting the challenges of reentry.
Brandi Matthews, Reentry Coordinator for the council, shared compelling stories of individuals such as Latasha, who overcame a 16-year incarceration period by completing apprenticeship programs, obtaining a cosmetology license, and securing employment—first at the Governor’s Mansion and later at a local beauty salon. Latasha’s story exemplifies the council’s commitment to empowering justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives.
The webinar also provided guidance for communities interested in establishing their own reentry councils. Key components include having a strong backbone agency, fostering deep partnerships across sectors, starting with achievable goals, and utilizing resources like the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s Reentry Council Playbook.
Dawson emphasized, “It’s about meeting people where they are and taking them where they want to be. Small wins—like helping someone obtain a driver’s license or build a resume—are foundational to long-term success.”
Despite the progress, only half of North Carolina’s counties currently have reentry councils. The Wayne County Reentry Council encourages other communities to reach out, collaborate, and join the statewide effort to expand support networks for returning citizens.
“This work is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Melony Clark, webinar Speaker from My Future NC. “When we exclude justice-involved individuals from educational and workforce opportunities, we limit not just their future but our community’s future.”
For more information on the Wayne County Reentry Council or to learn how to start a council in your area, interested parties are encouraged to contact Wayne Community College or My Future NC.
Contact:
- Re-entry Program: https://www.waynecc.edu/continuing-ed/reentry-council-intake-form/
- My Future NC: https://www.myfuturenc.org/
