Community recognizes mentors and returnees

The Idaho Department of Correction’s Free2Succeed program is hosting its first Recover Outloud event at the River of Life Church on Friday.

This is to welcome home those from District 7 who were released from prison in 2018. It will also celebrate District 7 probation and parole mentors.

“January is actually (National Mentor Month) and our Free2Succeed program manager, Jeff, had asked us to find something to recognize our Free2Succeed mentors and I thought (there) was no better way,” said Stephanie Taylor-Silva, the mentor site coordinator for IDOC, District 7’s Free2Succeed.

Free2Succeed is a community mentoring program to help guide citizens newly released from prison.

“To match people in the community who just want to help returning citizens in incarceration when they return back into their communities around the state,” said Jeff Kirkman, the program manager for IDOC, District 7’s Free2Succeed. “We would love them to get matched with somebody in the community who can help them through those obstacles.”

Guest speakers at the event include Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

Free2Succeed hopes to put hold the event again next year and allow the entire public to attend.