Partakers 2023 Annual Appeal

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well. It is so hard to believe that another year is coming to a close.

For Partakers, 2023 has been filled with amazing success stories as we continue to celebrate the graduations of our students and our growth as an organization. We are so excited to see a robust rebound for our College Behind Bars program, thanks to a dedicated recruitment effort of new mentors who have joined our work now that we can return inside. We look forward to building on the success and legacy of this program which has seen just a 2% recidivism rate compared to a 6-year national average of 79%. Our reentry program, Partakers Empowerment Program (PEP), is now in its 10th cohort. To date over 90 returning citizens have graduated from the program with real tools and a vital community that will always be there for them as they move forward in positive and exciting ways.

We are so proud of the accomplishments of our students, and the role our work has had in their successes. This is only possible because of your belief in, and support of our mission of transforming lives and building futures. It is so important that you know how very much your consistent friendship and financial support allow us to not only grow our work but to be true to that mission statement of transforming lives. Without your help, we could not make the difference we do each day in the lives of the women and men in our programs.

Thanks to you, Partakers continues to expand the reach of our work which truly is having an impact on the decline in recidivism rates across Massachusetts. By providing very real and essential pathways to decarceration, built on the foundation of the unique Mentor relationships and resources offered by our proven programs, we are changing the trajectory for so many who have been impacted by the carceral system. Partakers is transforming their sense of hope, their belief in themselves, their view of others, and their opportunities to succeed-all of which then ripple out to impact their communities and their families.

The vital work that Partakers does, and the support and tools we bring to so many, embrace intentional interventions that strike at the very core of inequality by offering education, dignity, connection, and promise to people, and communities, impacted by incarceration.

Entering the workforce and obtaining safe and stable housing are among the main challenges faced when reentering society. Thanks to key relationships with our community partners we are pleased to report that 95% of our graduates who have gone through our reentry program have been successful in obtaining employment and adequate housing.

Our work has always been focused on ensuring that our students realize their potential, in ways they may never have dreamed could happen for them. By inviting our PEP graduates to return to the program and serve as Teaching Assistants and Tech Advisors we are establishing a model and experience that allows them to have a sound social and professional foundation to build upon.

For over 25 years, our volunteer Mentors have been the very heart of our work. Our Mentors help to build essential relationships that form strong bonds and impressions on our students as they navigate their academic goals inside, and the many obstacles they face upon returning to society. We know that the lasting relationships Partakers creates are transformative for our Mentors as well. As one Mentor who spoke for so many said: ”This community has completely changed my life.”

Each of our amazing Mentors is filling a critical gap in services and support. In the process, we are also building a true community. As one of our Mentors said, “I am blessed to have you in my life and I think it is so wonderful that everyone here is feeling the same about someone…that is the beauty of this program.” We are driven by the belief that no one needs to walk this path alone!

As we look forward, we are energized by the many possibilities that exist to expand our work with new and innovative programming that can serve even more individuals, both inside and upon reentry.

One of our newest initiatives is the Partakers Reading Circle. The Reading Circle is a “Book Club” that will connect incarcerated students with Mentors through the shared experience of reading. For so many Mentors who may not be able to easily visit inside, this will be a wonderful way to be involved in our work and share their time and heart. In partnership with The Prison Book Program, The Partakers Reading Circle will provide Mentors and students on the inside the opportunity to read and discuss a book of interest together, and to create a true “circle” of community and friendship from the inside out.

We are excited about building partnerships with more community and academic organizations to provide even greater resources and programming, and to help grow our reach. Thanks to your continued support for our mission, and the passion and dedication of our students and our Mentors, Partakers has been able to not only sustain our current programs but learn from our experiences. We continue to work to develop new and impactful initiatives to grow forward.

As this year closes, filled with uncertainty around the world, we are so very grateful to have the opportunity to work each day to create change, one individual at a time. We know that what we do is making a difference. We look to 2024 with optimism and hope-the very same hope we see in each of our students and their Mentors.

My words alone cannot express our gratitude, but the success and optimism of our students remind us daily of the importance of the work we do together!

“I had so many doubts about me and my life. I was really downtrodden. Having a safe space to talk made a huge difference to my ability to cope. I got a ton of confidence, and hope…My Mentors are always there…no matter what.”

~Partakers PEP Graduate

Thank you for being a friend of Partakers and for including us in your generosity of giving.

With appreciation and good wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Arthur Bembury,

Executive Director