Revolutionary Reads: Reentry Resource Fair with The Foundation (Hybrid)

FVRLibraries is excited to host the 2024 Revolutionary Reads Community Partner, The Foundation, in a discussion of community resources and personal experiences. Join us beginning at 4:30 pm to learn about community partners providing resources for recently released individuals in Clark County, including Molina Healthcare, Vancouver Housing Authority, Recovery Cafe, and Partners in Careers.

At 5:30 pm, we'll have two amazing speakers from The Foundation. First up is Lester Griffin, who served 9 years of a 24-year sentence and was released with the help of the Innocence Project. Now, he's a rising star in the world of general contracting right here in our own city! Not only that, but Lester has also founded a non-profit called The Foundation, which is focused on reducing recidivism and helping young people navigate away from the school-to-prison pipeline. They’ve even opened a teen center to provide a safe space for our youth. Our second speaker is Paul Porter, who served 3 and a half years of a 5-year sentence. Since his release, he's dedicated over a decade to working in education and is currently making a difference in equitable planning for the City of Vancouver. Paul is also the Operations Director for The Foundation, working alongside Lester to create positive change in our community. This event is going to be an incredible opportunity to hear their stories of reentry and success, and to learn more about the important work being done by The Foundation. It's a chance to come together as a community, support these inspiring individuals, and be inspired ourselves.

Attend in-person beginning at 4:30 pm or join virtually at 5:30 pm to listen to the speakers. For online attendance, click on the following link at 5:30 pm: Zoom Link. 

To attend virtually you will need a computer, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone. Need a reminder? Click on the "Remind Me" clock button above and enter your email or select the "Add to My Calendar" feature.

Revolutionary Reads is an annual community reads program with the goal of galvanizing the SW Washington community to read the same book on a topic of revolutionary importance. Revolutionary is defined as “involving or causing a complete and dramatic change” and/or “radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.”

In partnership with the Foundation Washington, 2024’s program focuses on the challenge of reentry into society following incarceration. This program will explore the experiences of individuals reintegrating into community upon release. 

Free copies of the book FREE: Two Years, Six Lives and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler, will be available at all FVRLibraries locations in March 2024 (eBook also available on Overdrive). FREE won the 2023 Oregon Book Award for Nonfiction and the 2023 Nautilus Silver Award for Criminal Justice.  

Foundation Washington’s mission is to restore and prepare. The Foundation Washington is the stepping stones the youth can use to rise into their greatness and the landing zone reintegrating individuals can lean on upon release. Learn more about The Foundation Washington at https://www.thefoundationwa.org/.

Revolutionary Reads is made possible by generous support from the FVRL Foundation. Visit their website: https://fvrlfoundation.org/