A Season of New Beginnings-Our Spring 2026 Newsletter

"I got my voice through Partakers. Partakeres empowered me to excel at a level I thought I couldn't achieve."

~Partakers Grad/TA

Dear Friends,

After an endless winter, we have at long last turned the corner to Spring. We hope this finds you and yours well, heading outside to do something other than shoveling!, and that you enjoyed the Spring holiday season.

Despite these often overwhelming and challenging times, we at Partakers are greeting the new season with action and opportunities to build on our almost 30-year legacy of fostering relationships that change lives.

The other day, I was reminded once again how, once you are involved with Partakers, you remain connected, and your view of incarceration and what YOU can do to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by the carceral system changes forever. A wonderful, heartfelt email from a long-time Mentor demonstrated again the lasting power of Partakers relationships. This Mentor has remained in contact with their Mentee after their release and wanted to support them in their transition, helping them find employment. While there are no "magic wands" in the difficult and often fraught journey home, just knowing there are folks there for you, rooting for you, and doing whatever they can to help find the resources so you can navigate this path means the world. We are so proud to be here whenever and for whatever our students, graduates, and Mentors need for information, resources, and most especially community.

April is National Volunteer Month. At Partakers, our Volunteers are the foundation on which we grow. Our network of over 400 community volunteer mentors is literally transforming lives and building futures. 
At Partakers, we do not believe that anyone should have to make this journey alone. In a time of disconnect, we are working to bridge communities and foster empathy, understanding, and lasting connections.

What makes Partakers stand out from all other in-prison and reentry models? Simply- our Mentors! We know Relationships Matter! Mentors Matter!

We currently have wait-lists for Mentors for both our College Behind Barsand PEP Reentry Program. In this season of new beginnings, when so many of us are asking "What can we do to make a difference?", we hope you will consider joining us in our work, Transforming Lives and Building Futures."

Read Our Full Newsletter Here learn how you can become involved. We hope you will join us for one of our Mentor Info Sessions to learn more about the Power of Partakers Mentoring.

Thank you for always being here for us!

With appreciation and heartfelt wishes,

Arthur Bembury, Executive Director