Our inaugural session on May 10, 2024, at RARE Academy marked the beginning of our collaborative journey. Facilitated by Kelly Nichols from Woollard Nichols Torres Consulting, the meeting kicked off with a warm welcome and a fun icebreaker where participants shared an item from their bucket list. We established clear goals, developed group agreements focusing on reliable resources, respect for everyone’s time, and the potential for a hybrid in-person/virtual model. The Purpose to Practice activity provided valuable insights into each organization’s purpose, principles, and practices. As the host, I highlighted RARE Academy’s mission and services, and we brainstormed topics for future meetings, including site visits.
Our second session on June 14, 2024, took place at the Travis County Correctional Complex (TCCC), where Sheri Wahl welcomed us. The icebreaker—about instantly becoming an expert in something—sparked engaging discussions. We refined our meeting agreements to include listening to understand, maintaining confidentiality, and practicing self-care. The Purpose to Practice activity continued, deepening our understanding of each organization’s role. Sheri provided a tour of TCCC, offering insights into its operations and programming. We concluded with a reflective exercise that emphasized the importance of building relationships and improving our programs. Our next gathering was planned for August at the “Wakanda Building,” featuring Black Men’s Health Clinic, Building Promise USA, and On Point Reentry Consortium.
In our third session, we focused on developing a work plan and goals for the 2024-2025 Community of Practice gatherings. We toured the “Wakanda Building,” which showcased the impressive work of Black Men’s Health Clinic, Building Promise USA (BPUSA), and On Point Reentry Consortium. The impacts of our sessions were evident: BPUSA noted a new partnership with the jail and valuable connections with On Point Reentry. Austin Community College (ACC) highlighted their collaboration with RARE Academy, where the RARE Experience Reentry Simulation was developed, and their connection with TDCJ’s “Innovation Prison” program, now being offered at the new Bartlett Facility.
Overall, everyone has built stronger relationships and trust through one-on-one conversations, gaining a firsthand understanding of each other’s offerings. We discussed new topics, such as establishing ID stations around Austin to better serve clients, providing work equipment, cell phones, service, vision vouchers, and more. We also explored new ideas like the Roundtable potentially becoming a 501(c)3 to re-grant funds and implementing a “Bring a Buddy” day to foster better interactions and inclusion.
These sessions have been incredibly valuable in strengthening our connections and enhancing our collective impact. I’m looking forward to sharing more updates as we continue our collaborative efforts and work towards achieving our goals for the upcoming year.
