MCCX And Community-Based Organizations Partner For Offender Resource Fair

WARTBURG – The Morgan County Correctional Complex held an offender resource fair earlier today for those who are within one year of their release or parole hearing.  Over 30 partnering agencies and nonprofits from Morgan, Roane, Knox and other neighboring counties participated in the event, which was organized in an effort to put offenders nearing release in contact with those who can provide them access to the resources needed to be successful.

Offenders at today’s event were provided the opportunity to meet and network with potential employers such as Oak Ridge Trucking and Workforce Connections as well as educational institutions such as Pellissippi State and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.  Additional partners from FOCUS Ministries and Men of Valor and other state agencies like the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Labor and Workforce Development were also in attendance.

“We want them [TDOC offenders] to succeed.  And to do that we have to provide them with the tools and resources they need to integrate as seamlessly as possible,” said Christy Strunk, Reentry Specialist at MCCX.  “But there’s only so much we can do for them once they leave.  That’s where our community partners come in.  We’re committed to providing those vital tools and resources as well as working with our community partners to bridge those gaps in services and resources to ensure a successful reentry.”