Free 'Be an Instrument for Change' concert marks 10 years of reentry support in Johnson County
Ten years ago, a simple phrase, 'inside out,' became a lifeline for former inmates in Johnson County.
The local nonprofit, Inside Out Reentry Community, works with individuals to develop reentry plans after prison that promote healing, restored relationships, and sustained success.
To celebrate 10 years of guidance, Inside Out is hosting a free community concert, 'Be an Instrument for Change' from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Chauncey Swan Park. The concert will be headlined by local favorite, the Beaker Brothers Band, serving as both a celebration and a fundraiser.
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Inside Out's roots date back to 2014 when the First Baptist Church of Iowa City used a grant to support two citizens returning to Iowa City. Inside Out became a separate entity by 2015, offering full reentry services.
'It's a bit of a play on words, as it refers to people coming from the inside of prisons/jails to the outside world and also to the need for all of us humans to grow and change from the inside out throughout our lives,' said Dorothy Whiston, an early Inside Out organizer and current board member, in a news release. 'Putting 'community' in the name was to emphasize that we're all returnees, volunteers, staff, and the public.'
Inside Out served 300 people in 2014, with four full-time employees and nearly 60 volunteers.
'We were surprised at how the demand for services emerged as quickly and spontaneously as it did,' Whiston said. 'Once we caught our breath from the initial high demand, it became clear we needed to become our own entity.'
Inside Out has expanded its services since the beginning, aided by a move to South Capitol St. near the Johnson County Treasurer's building.
What started as helping establish reentry plans evolved into personalized services, from mentoring and peer support programs to financial literacy workshops, direct assistance, and job hunting. Inside Out opened its own reentry home in 2023, which houses up to six low-income men for up to two years.
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Inside Out does public advocacy work, educating residents about the challenges the formerly incarcerated face via community events, like reentry simulations and the annual art exhibition, 'Art from the Inside Out.'
'Be an Instrument for Change' is one of the many scheduled fundraising and community events Inside Out is planning to celebrate its milestone. The organization also accepts online donations.
'We are very lucky,' said executive director Michelle Heinz in a news release. 'The Johnson County community is very generous in their support for our mission and our members… and I'm always amazed at how willing people are to open their hearts to help some of the most needy.'
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Inside Out Reentry celebrates 10 years in Iowa City with free concert
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