Reentry Advocacy Project

The Reentry Advocacy Project (RAP) provides support and fellowship for persons directly impacted by the criminal justice system and advocates for policies and practices that directly and positively impact justice-involved persons and their families.

RAP advocates for social change and reducing barriers to positive integration by actively participating in civic affairs, presenting to community groups, and seving as mentors and role models to other individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system. One seat on the Reentry Roundtable's Planning Council and Executive Committee is reserved for a RAP liaison.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. virtually over Zoom. Please click here to register for these meetings. We hope to see you there!

Please contact Barbara Ornelas, Reentry Advocacy Fellow, at info@reentryroundtable.org with any questions.

RAP's Role:

Identity Statement:

RAP works to advance our mission by providing community and resources for people who are impacted by the criminal legal systems and we advocate for policies and practices that directly and positively impact our community.

Our vision is that people impacted by the criminal legal system will have the knowledge and tools to access opportunities, services, and support to achieve their own goals.

We work to impact relationships, organizations, policies, and cultural assumptions about people returning to our community and their families by serving those
who are impacted by the criminal legal systems, their friends, families, and allies.

Our Values:

Community Voice – we listen to and engage people with lived experience in the criminal justice system and communities impacted by the criminal justice system.
Inclusion – we include multiple perspectives on how to achieve safe and healthy communities through effective reentry and reintegration.
Respect – we honor the basic dignity of every person and support relationship building as a means to overcome challenges.
Equity – we focus on disparities and inequities in system delivery and we are not afraid to ask hard questions to facilitate system change.
Preventing Incarceration – we champion strategies that offer alternatives to jail/incarceration whenever possible.

Get Involved:

Join us for a meeting! Check our calendar for more details.

Success Stories

Featured RAP Member Robert Lilly

Three words that describe you? Resilient, intelligent, passionate What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? The top challenges I faced upon my release were lack of experience with recovery, adequate and affordable housing, guidance for realistic employment options, no immediate means of supporting myself, inner fears, unsupportive family, ill-informed understanding of the […]

Featured RAP Member Karen Keith

Three words that describe you: Child of God What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? Employment was huge, still is as I am in a temp assignment. Finding that one person to give you a second chance is very difficult and very stressful. Five hundred+ applications submitted, not one interview from any […]

Featured RAP member Dena Hill

Three words that describe you. Tenacious, Loyal, and Empathetic What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? The perception people have of individuals with criminal histories and how difficult it is to prove yourself as a worthy member of society in the face of such critical and ignorant judgment from the general population […]

Featured RAP Member Annette Price

Three words that describe you: The three words that describe me best would be trustworthy, honest and respectful of others. What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? My challenges when reentering were finding meaningful and stable employment, locating a support group for formerly incarcerated individuals, and facing my fear of the unknown. What […]

Featured RAP Member: Michael Davis

Three words that describe you: Thankful, Honest, Humble What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? Finding stable employment that was decent paying and accessing affordable housing. What resources have you found most helpful for reentering? My family and God have been my number one resources; without them I don’t know where I […]

Featured RAP Member : Charles Walker

Name: Charles Walker Three words that describe you: Considerate, Compassionate, and Determined. What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? Housing. Resources I found most helpful: Family, Church, and the City of Austin. Did you have a mentor or a role model? My two younger brothers. What drives your passion and makes you excited […]

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Featured RAP Member: Lewis Conway Jr.

Name: Lewis Conway Jr. Three words that describe you: Blessed, grateful and appreciative. What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? The top challenges I faced were employment and a lost sense of identity. What resources have you found most helpful for reentering? The best resource I was able to discover that assisted me the most with […]

Featured RAP Member: Doug Smith

Name: Douglas Smith What are three words that describe you? Compassionate, Engaging, Open. What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? Finding a job was the most difficult task. Gainful employment was my #1 parole condition, and I was willing to work any job from janitor to customer service. Further, I had a decent education […]

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Featured RAP Member: Reginald D. Smith

Name: Reginald D. Smith, but everyone calls me Reggie. What are three words that describe you? Grateful, Motivated, Blessed. What are the top challenges that you faced when reentering? Housing and Employment. What resources have you found most helpful for reentering? Goodwill, DARS helped me immensely but it was the personal interactions with caring individuals who could empathize with […]