New Beginnings Reentry Services, part of New Profit’s latest Unlocked Futures Catalyze Cohort of Social Entrepreneurs, works to reduce recidivism by advocating for and providing services to women reentering local neighborhoods and communities. They envision a world where communities can thrive with their sisters, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers coming from an unproductive environment to become whole and work toward self-sustainability. NBRS is building alliances, collaborations, and networks to create positive changes in policies that negatively impact women involved in the criminal justice system.

To help us get closer to NBRS’s work, Founder and Executive Director Stacey Borden shares why this work is so personal for her and why prioritizing healing is critical for returning citizens. 

Q: Can you share a story that brings to life why you made the decision to pursue a career in your field?

A: I’d love to share my story coming from childhood trauma that lead to addiction, to criminal behavior, to being sentenced to a cage to coming into a maturated state, and understanding that the majority of women were like me! After suffering from sexual and domestic violence (“hurt people hurt people”) I decided that I needed to change. I needed to learn about mental health and addiction and how I could assist our sisters that I left behind…

The story that is unique is, I never look back at my old life, I began anew. I made a promise to those ladies and I kept that promise for once in my life! I created New Beginnings Reentry Services, Inc.

Q: What is the one thing you wish more people knew about the issue your organization is working to solve?

A: We are focusing on transforming the model of reentry to trauma-informed care.

Q: If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your organization, what would it be?

A: If I could wave a magic wand and change one thing about our organization would be: highlighting that our mission is not just “Services” but “Advocacy AND Services.” There is so much advocacy needed and we are doing it, but it appears because we are services, it doesn’t feel like that piece is being recognized. People are advocating for services, but are the services being provided? Mental health, substance use disorders, career development, coaching, training—people power! If we can bring all of our BIPOC Orgs together for an ecosystem, imagine the advocacy in that!!

Q: What has been the most fulfilling part of the work that you do?

A: Seeing our women participants grow by creating tools to keep them motivated, alive, and thriving!

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share that might help people to feel closer to you or your work?

A: I think allowing me to remain humble and vulnerable will help others understand the passion I have for the needs of our people! We have so much creativity inside ourselves that we are often diminished due to our past transgressions. We aren’t often taken seriously, we are only seen as being victimizers and fail to recognize that we are victims too! We must change the way we think from crime and punishment to transforming harm to healing and giving back!

New Beginnings Reentry Services Community Resource Fair

To get closer to New Beginnings Reentry Services, visit their website, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you are in the Boston area, support and attend their Community Resource Fair on Saturday, August 19, 2023.