Genesis 8: 11-12
About Us
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Our history, the why Reentry!
Oscar was forced into a lifestyle at a very young age like many other men of color and found himself a victim of the prison system on several occasions. Oscar sought out help only to have it used against him. On his last incarceration, Oscar vowed for it to be his final and to not only change his life but help change the system that was designed to create failure. He began his work on day 1 inside the prison system! Jessica was a victim of sexual assault from the age of 2 to 18, she found herself in the juvenile corrections system at a very young age. She was a victim of domestic violence that ended only when she was kidnapped and left for...Together they vowed to change the pathway for those in similar situations and have created systems to ensure successful pathways. Oscar & Jessica are survivors who now lead the charge teaching others to not only survive but live!
ReEntry
The Ortiz Ark Foundation has recognized the importance of successful reentry. By working with our law enforcement and community partners, we are integrally involved in the development and implementation of creative solutions to address reentry barriers.
A primary focus of our reentry efforts is to remove or reduce barriers to successful reentry, so that motivated individuals - who have served their time and paid their debt to society or are ready to reenter society from a life situation, disability, domestic violence, and homelessness. We focus on areas strengthening participants so they are able to compete for a job, attain stable housing, support their children and their families, and contribute to their communities.
ReEntry Team
Reentry Director & Coach
Oscar Ortiz 484-226-8645
ReEntry Coach, Mentor & Pardon Coach
Peer Mentor
Vacant
"You don't have to see the whole staircase just take the first steps"
Dr. Martin Luther King
Credible Messengers
The Credible Messenger movement has emerged based on a core belief that communities have within them transformative resources to lift up justice-involved people in a comprehensive and positive way. It works from the inside out: justice-involved comprehensively and positively with/at-risk young people who have a higher risk of re-offending are matched with specially trained adults with relevant life experiences (often previously incarcerated, Returned Citizens) called Credible Messengers, who share their background.
Credible Messengers improve outcomes for young people in the justice system:
- Increased engagement with programs and services
- Reduction in re-arrests, violations, and anti-social behavior
- Increased compliance with court mandates
- Improved relationships between system stakeholders and community members
- More community capacity to support system-involved youth
The Ortiz Ark Foundation Credible Messengers
Dr. Jessica Lee Ortiz
Oscar F Ortiz
Naquon "QB" Godfrey
