Serving the needs of the Inland Region since 2009
transitional housing | reentry services | policy advocacy | civic engagement
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We are now accepting candidate nominations for the Barbara Barker Award, to be presented at the annual Fundraiser Luncheon & Barbara Barker Award Ceremony.
About Barbara Barker
Barbara Barker was a pioneer and visionary who directed a faith-based program at California Institute for Women, showing up for, mentoring, and loving the incarcerated women she was in community with, many of whom were serving life sentences with no form of freedom on the horizon. A woman full of joy and faith, and always networking, Barbara was an advocate and champion, trailblazing the way for others to follow. She brought light where there was none, and she helped to usher in an era of redemption and responsibility. She taught that each of us could bear that which is ours, and through sharing ourselves as she had shared with us, we could heal ourselves and those around us.
Barbara Barker was a vital part of the Riverside community in various capacities, always leading from a place of service. She was on the Starting Over, Inc. Board of Directors from 2009 until she transitioned from this world on Thanksgiving day 2014 leaving a lasting mark upon our work and our hearts.
For over a decade, we’ve helped people in the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles area transition to independent lives after experiencing homelessness and/or incarceration, serving over 1,400 individuals and families.
Our caring staff and volunteers are here to help through these difficult times. We know that there is life after homelessness and/or incarceration because most of us have experienced it ourselves.
A Holistic Approach to Reentry
WE KNOW WHAT KEEPS US SAFE
Upholding the rights of individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system is a priority to us. Learn more about the Family Reunification, Equity, & Empowerment (FREE) Project, Riverside All Of Us or None, and Participatory Defense of the Inland Empire here.
At Starting Over, we are familiar with your journey, having walked it ourselves. We use our lived experience and expertise to support you through our supportive housing, harm reduction, and employment development programs.
What Starting Over, Inc. Participants are Saying
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California unveils a massive mural that in the tradition of public artworks depicts figures in the fight for civil liberties and civil rights in Southern California, including Starting Over, Inc. co-founder and Executive Director Vonya Quarles