We are here to help.
Inside Out Reentry Community is based in Iowa City and serves people returning to Johnson County after incarceration. Returning to and becoming an active member of society after being in prison is tough, and we strive to give individuals the support they need to reach their goals.
Approximately 95% of currently incarcerated individuals in Iowa will be reentering society.
What we offer:
A drop-in Resource Center: a safe place to seek support. The drop-in center also provides the following resources that are available when we are open and by appointment:
- Case Management and Reentry Planning — Including goal setting, resources and referrals for health care, mental health care, substance use recovery, identification, and assistance with forms and applications.
- Employment Readiness — Assistance with job applications, resumes, and interviewing skills.
- Housing — Assistance with housing searches and applications, accessing credit reports, referrals to housing assistance programs.
- Resources — Bus passes, a backpack with hygiene products upon release, and access to Inside Out’s resource closet with donated clothing and household items.
- Life Skills — personal finances, mindfulness, communication skills, healthy relationships, etc.
Meetings: Our meetings are open to our members, and those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. If you would like to get involved with Inside Out please contact us!
- Community Meetings: Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm, we hold weekly group mentoring community meetings. Every meeting features a check-in where members share successes and challenges with one another, and give and receive support. Meetings include discussions related to reentry, workshops on life skills, small group activities, and presentations from community speakers.
- Coffee and Connections: Every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm we host a peer -led support group for those in all stages of recovery who have also been involved in the criminal legal system. Inspired by Johann Hari’s famous Ted Talk, the group is based off the belief that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection. The group meets weekly to share successes, discuss challenges, and show peer support for others in the group.
- Creative Collective: On the first and third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, we host a writing and creative arts group. The group helps those interested in writing expand their skills, experiment with different styles, and engage in the healing properties of writing.
Mentoring pairs a returning citizen with a community volunteer for social, emotional, and practical support. Mentors form a meaningful friendship and help a returning citizen overcome barriers, increase their confidence, and reach their goals.
Inside Out Reentry Community aims to reduce the social stigma returning citizens often feel.
Contact
[email protected]
(319) 338-7996
804 S Capitol St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Resource Center Hours:
Monday 12 – 5 pm
Tuesday 12 – 5 pm
Wednesday 12 – 5 pm
Thursday 12 – 6:30 pm
Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Our programs are supported by these grant funders. Thank you!
We consider ourselves one community seeking personal and social change from the inside out.
We are excited to announce that tickets for our annual Trivia Night fundraiser are on sale now! Visit our website to secure your tickets today- you do not want to miss the big event!
#reentrymatters #reentry #formerlyincarcerated #trivia #iowacity #fundraiser
2 days ago
Thank you St. Mary's Church of Iowa City for choosing Inside Out Reentry Community as a recipient of the Peace and Justice grant! WIth this grant, we were able to purchase more bus passes, backpack items, correspondence with incarcerated members, and supplies for Community Meetings. Thank you for believing in our mission of supporting individuals as they reenter Johnson County after incarceration.
#reenty #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity
5 days ago
Our Resource Closet at Inside Out is wiped out men's shorts! Our Resource Closet is incredibly beneficial to our members from when they first come out of incarceration to moments of struggle in their reentry journey. Stop in and bring in gently used men's shorts to help our members stay cool in this summer heat!
#reentry #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity #donate
1 week ago
Say hello to one of our volunteers, Gina! She is one of our regular facilitators at Creative Collective. We are so grateful for your continued support, Gina! Here is what she has to say about her work with Inside Out:
"It's such a joy to be around the people of Inside Out – members, staff, and volunteers – and to be part of this circle of mutual caring and support. Creative Collective has a really special energy: in the busyness and stress of everyday life, it's a time set aside for creative exploration, for connecting with others through writing and art, and for sharing a little of ourselves in an honest and open space."
#reentry #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity #volunteers
1 week ago
Inside Out Reentry Community provides support and resources to our members as they reenter Johnson County after incarceration, such as assistance in searching for housing. From helping with housing searches, applications, and navigating credit reports, we strive to help our members find hope during uncertain times. Our services and support are vital to keeping our members on track with their reentry goals and personal growth. #reentry #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity
2 weeks ago
Want to make a difference in your community? Inside Out Reentry Community is looking for volunteers to assist us at our Resource Center, and help us provide to support to formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter the Johnson County Community! Interested? Email
[email protected].
#reentry #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity #volunteers
2 weeks ago
Join us today at @reunionbrewery in Coralville! From 5-9pm ReUnion will donate 10% of their sales to Inside Out! #reentry #reentrymatters #dineoutforcharity
2 weeks ago
Our volunteers are awesome! Thank you to these volunteers for representing Inside Out Reentry Community at North Liberty's Annual Blues & BBQ last weekend! What a great opportunity to give back to our Johnson County community, while also advocating for our members and support of their reentry journey after incarceration.
#reentry #reentrymatters #formerlyincarcerated #iowacity
3 weeks ago
