OUR BEYOND BARS PROGRAM

Re-entry is not just a return; it’s a rebirth - a chance to reclaim purpose, rebuild self-worth, and rewrite the future with hope.

a peer support and mentorship program that focuses on supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration back into their communities in Vermont. It’s primary focus is on addressing the challenges of reentry, including securing stable housing, finding employment, managing mental health challenges, and supporting recovery from addiction.

The program relies on the lived experiences of its peer mentors, who have navigated recovery and reintegration themselves, making them well-equipped to guide others. They share their journeys and offer insight on overcoming challenges related to incarceration, addiction, and mental health. Their roles extend beyond mentorship to creating a sense of community and belonging for program participants.

This program reflects VAMHAR’s mission of reducing stigma around mental health and addiction recovery, while promoting evidence-based, community-focused solutions. It serves as a model for addressing systemic barriers faced by individuals after incarceration, fostering hope and resilience.

Beyond Bars is …

  • "We do not rely on formulaic techniques or strategies in working with our participants. We recognize that each of us is a unique individual with very particular strengths and needs, and that all of us respond best when treated in ways that honor this uniqueness."

    PEER MENTOR

  • "Like any dynamic and healthy relationship, this one has many elements. We begin with kindness, respect, and careful attention to each participant’s individual needs."

    PEER MENTOR

  • "Isolation, mistrust and disenfranchisement are inherent in the experience of incarceration. In the Beyond Bars program, we know from experience that establishing healthy connections, first and foremost within ourselves, and then with other members of our community, is essential to our successful reintegration. "

    PEER MENTOR

  • "Whether we are conscious of it or not, when you have been to prison, there is a level of wariness that develops with anyone you talk to, so the informal peer structure of this program can allow participants to trust and open up in ways they might not commonly experience."

    PEER MENTOR