July is Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month. On this episode of EquiTEA with RivCo Public Health, Starting Over, Inc. Peer Support Specialists Ivan & Javier delve into the intersection of mental health, the BIPOC community, and the criminal justice system.

Richard Jerimiah Giles III and Bennie Burrell, two recently released individuals from California, share their experiences of reentry to society. While the process of reentry is challenging, having a support system and a focus on mental health can help reduce the mental toll. Richard credits his success to his support system and attending reentry courses. Bennie, who served 31 years, is actively giving back to other formerly incarcerated individuals by offering reentry support. Both men emphasize the importance of a support network and mental health in ensuring a successful reentry.

“Unfortunately, those same entities who have a vested interest in continuing the cycle of incarceration are the same who make the claim that Prop 47 contributed to increases in crime”…

“Some of California’s deadliest jails are in Riverside County, where 45 people have died since Jan. 1, 2021 […] Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged almost five years ago that the state would take a stronger hand to prevent deaths in the 57 jail systems run by California county sheriffs. In every year since, more people have died in California jails than when Newsom made that pledge — hitting a high of 215 in 2022. Tulare, San Diego, Kern, Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ jails set records.” Read more at CalMatters.

Starting Over, Inc., is an example of how the fund is ensuring that organizations from across the state both receive support and help guide the fund's work. The organization provides transitional housing and reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals in Riverside County, which is part of the Inland Empire region. It also engages in advocacy and civic engagement.”

Human Impact Partners: A reflection on a major victory, and the collaboration that led us there

Along with IE community organizations and affected family members, we gathered at the Riverside Board of Supervisors meeting on October 31st to demand the Board hold the Riverside Sheriff’s Department accountable for killings, violence, extortion, and other harms committed against our community.

On Thursday, October 12th, Vonya Quarles, Executive Director of Starting Over, Inc. was honored as one of six Champions for Justice at the Riverside Convention Center. The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County recognizes recipients “as those who have championed the causes of the poor, disabled, seniors, youth and individuals from various ethnic groups in our communities. These individuals have also made personal sacrifices so that justice prevails.” - The Press Enterprise

On August 1st, community members gathered in front of Riverside City Hall to demand an end to Riverside’s discriminatory Crime-Free Multi Housing program. This program is mandatory for most housing providers and includes a lease addendum putting tenants at risk of eviction if they are suspected of committing a crime.

Starting Over, Inc.’s new community partnership with Bank of America will provide skills trainings, coaching, job opportunities, and more to justice-impacted community members who are often overlooked by employers.

With over 40 community members, we rallied at the Edelman Children’s Courthouse in LA in support of mothers impacted by family separation through incarceration or the child welfare system.

Read about our January 18th rally at California’s capitol to #TransformCPS. “Billed as the first protest of its kind in California, attendees at the Jan. 18 rally united in one particularly urgent appeal: Pressure state lawmakers to push back against a federal law that incentivizes adoption with federal funds and, they say, places unreasonable timelines and barriers on families who are already facing difficulties.”

After 2 years of organizing, our bill was signed into California law, keeping more children currently in foster care with family members over strangers. This bill eases the barriers that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and Latinx families’ abilities to be with their loved ones. Read more about our FREE Project here.