February 2026 - Issue 1

FRE Community Connections
Stronger Together

Welcome to the first issue of the Family Reentry (FRE) Community Connections: Stronger Together Bi‑Monthly Newsletter!

Each issue will celebrate the meaningful work happening across our Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence, Reentry, and Mentoring programs, and the lasting impact these services have on the individuals and communities we serve.

Share Your News with Us. Have a story, update, or event you'd like us to highlight? Email dbrackett@crj.org—we’d love to feature your news in an upcoming issue.

Thank You for Helping Us Name the FRE Newsletter

We want to extend a heartfelt thank‑you to all the staff who participated in the Newsletter Naming Contest. We received an overwhelming number of creative, clever, and thoughtful submissions—so many that choosing a final name was no easy task!

A special shout‑out to the staff who submitted entries: Jennifer Tajeda, Mark Grasso, Sara Emir, the New Haven Behavioral Health team, Courtney Ring,
Da’ee McKnight, and Sheila Stewart.

In the end, we selected a name that truly reflects our mission, our community, and the spirit of Family Reentry. Your engagement helps make our community and this newsletter stronger together.

From Incarceration to Entrepreneurship:
Carlos Rebollo Opens Freedom Braids in Shelton

Stephanie Thomas, CT Secretary of State, congratulates former Enterprise House client Carlos Rebollo’s business expansion.

L to R: Carlos Rebollo, Freedom Braids, Fred Hodges, Tessa Slatkavitz, Stephanie Thomas/CT Secretary of State, Warren Cooper, Diane Brackett.

L to R: Stephanie Thomas/CT Secretary of State, Carlos Rebollo, Freedom Braids

Community Appreciation Day

At the FRE Recovery Community Center, we are extremely grateful to our partners who continually advocate for the individuals we support and serve.

Click Here to Watch Video

RISE Program

Restore, Inspire, Support, Encourage

The RISE Program has expanded to our Hartford and New Haven offices.
Following this expansion, CRJ’s Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) team will be conducting research on the RISE Program. Stay tuned for CJI’s report!

Staff Achievements

The first Moore-Hamilton Award, honoring the late Vincent Moore and Phil Hamilton, was accepted by Luis Vidal, DV Group Facilitator, this past November at the FRE DV Facilitator Training. This honorary award will now be granted annually as of 2026.

Congratulations to Dmitri Alvarado who recently received his license as a Clinical Therapist, Behavioral Health Services, in
New Haven, CT.

Welcome New Staff!

Sara Emir

Case Manager
RISE Program

Hartford, CT

Santos Vazquez

Peer Recovery Support Specialist Recovery Community Center

Bridgeport, CT

Warren Cooper

Fatherhood Engagement Specialist

Bridgeport, CT

Deion Cooper

Clinical Therapist
Behavioral Health Services

New Haven, CT

ASIST Program
Advanced Supervision and Intervention Support Team

The New Haven ASIST Program recently completed a successful audit by the
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch. The New Haven ASIST Team is comprised of Maddisyn Mircsev, LMSW, Lead Clinician, and Lisa Parolo, Case Manager.

For FY25, the program had a 4% recidivism rate. The Connecticut State goal for the program is 30.72%, giving the New Haven ASIST program graduates the lowest recidivism rate in the state.

Become a Youth Mentor!

Only 4 Hours a Week

You can act as a positive role model, offering guidance in:

academics
career exploration
life skills
emotional well-being

For more information, contact:
Maria V. Bolivar V. Jaume, Youth Mentoring Coordinator

Email: mvbolivarvjaume@crj.org Phone: 857-303-3132

FY25 Annual Report

See Our Achievements and Impact in the FY25 Annual Report!

Download Here

Upcoming Events

2026 Reentry Roundtable

The Connecticut Reentry Ceremony will be held on April 27th at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT. Stay tuned for details!

Picnic in the Park

In June, join us for a community celebration and networking event. Hosted by Recovery Community Center staff. More details to come!

FRE Media Coverage 2025

Aug. 31, 2025

News 12 Bronx

Bridgeport Nonprofit Marks 41 years ...Read more

Sept. 12, 2025

CT Insider

CT Program for Formerly Incarcerated Women ...Read More

Sept. 23, 2025

NBC Connecticut

Bridgeport program for formerly incarcerated women ...Read more

Nov. 25, 2025

News 8 Special Report

What is the cost of Connecticut prisons ...Read More

Dec. 13, 2025

News 12 Connecticut

'Cookies with Santa' in Bridgeport ensures children ...Read More

Help Us Grow Our Social Media Presence

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Staff Resources

Staff Cookbook

Need kitchen advice? Follow simple recipes available to download here.

FRE Community Connections﻿﻿Stronger Together

From Incarceration to Entrepreneurship: ﻿﻿Carlos Rebollo Opens Freedom Braids in Shelton