Part 6/11:
Community events, like Saturday pancake breakfasts, play a crucial role in fostering trust and camaraderie. These gatherings provide a platform where individuals can bond beyond formal settings, breaking down barriers that societal stigmatization often erects.
"Everybody wants to belong to something," states a participant. These events help normalize conversations around reentry, reducing feelings of shame or fear of judgment—especially important for those who have been incarcerated for decades.