Building Trust - Building Lives

Pioneer operates the four federal residential reentry centers in Washington state. Our reentry programs serve as a bridge from incarceration to life in the community. The centers help formerly incarcerated individuals with a successful transition through an array of services focused on finding and retaining employment, reconnecting with families, overcoming a substance use disorder and other issues, and becoming productive members of society.

Makalah Stewart, former case manager at the Spokane Residential Reentry Center (SRRC) shared a story on Aron who turned her life around after entering SRRC. Makalah said, “Aron entered SRRC and was combative, but compliant with the rules. She was very guarded and determined do things her way. At the beginning of entry into SRRC, Aron was not getting along with her pod mates and would often limit herself to her pod and bed. As we evolved with our case management meetings, she began to finally trust me and share her past so I could understand what led her to this point, what motivates her, what she likes to do and what makes her happy.” 

After learning Aron’s story, Makalah was able to step-up and assist her. Formerly, Aron was sentenced and entered the Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, located in California, to serve her time and achieve what many thought would be restorative justice. However, her experience turned into something very different. Aron was following her programming, studying to earn her paralegal certificate as expected and took to helping other women within the institution to overcome criminal characteristics. She was later victimized from officers and wardens that further contributed to her distrust and trauma from the criminal justice system. 

Makalah shared, “The mistreatment and dehumanizing abuse she suffered prior to coming to SRRC allowed me to understand why she was so distrusting of authority figures.” Makalah continued, “Anyone who knows Aron, knows that she is capable of gaining employment and housing on her own and she did! Her determination will not allow anything to get in her way once she has her mind set on something. The motivation and work ethic she projected allowed others within her pod to look up to her as a leader, and she began to assist incoming residents with paperwork, resumes, scheduling and creating routine.” 

When thinking about Aron’s behavior improvement, Makalah recalled a conversation she had with Aron about conflicts going on within the SRRC pod. Makalah said, “I told Aron I would really like her to push through the conflicts by working them out! Aron shared with me about a resident she believed she could not room with, but instead she took the initiative to have coffee in the dining hall with that resident and learned her story. Aron then made an effort to assist the resident with putting in requests for medical treatment and also kept an eye out for this person until she was seen by a case manager.” 

Makalah is very proud of Aron as she has witnessed Aron’s positive change. Aron originally entered the SRRC as a closed-off person who was only focused on herself and checking things off her to-do list while struggling silently. Today, she has changed into a caring person that will help all individuals around her. Aron also utilizes resources to ask for help to prioritize her stability. 

“Aron has always been employed and her employers have highlighted her good work ethic. She has prioritized her peer counseling career to ensure that nobody gives up on themselves as she once did,” shared Makalah.  

Unfortunately, Aron has experienced disappointment from the housing crisis the Spokane region is experiencing and suffered many unfulfilled promises; but she still took every opportunity to find housing and finally did secure it. She maintains a busy schedule to keep herself occupied in all pro-social events. 

Aron has continuously proven that after all that she has been through, her success is motivated by her family and her desire to be a better mom. Her actions have shown them that she will never give up and is actively working on her stability so she can reunite with them. In her free time, Aron makes sure to speak with her dad and kids as they are her main support and biggest motivation to take positive steps in life.

Makalah concluded, “Although Aron and I reach new goals with each case management meeting and continue to build trust, I can honestly say Aron is well deserving of being spotlighted as a success at the SRRC and I am very happy to have been able to work with her on her journey.”