At the end of April, in recognition of Second Chance Month, we hosted a Reentry Simulation at NeighborWorks Alaska. The event drew a strong turnout of participants and volunteers, many of who were new to reentry or the criminal justice and social service sectors.

     Following the simulation, attendees (participants and volunteers)  joined in a discussion session to reflect on their experiences navigating the activity. There was broad consensus that successfully completing the simulation was more challenging than anticipated, underscoring the real-world difficulties faced by individuals reentering society after incarceration.

       Volunteers staffing the simulation stations also had the opportunity to spotlight the resources and services they represent, transforming the end of the event into a collaborative opportunity for community members, advocates, and professionals to connect and share ideas for supporting reentry efforts in Anchorage.

       
      Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to see these simulations continue. Participants emphasized the value of the simulation not only as an interactive educational tool but also as a hands-on way to highlight the systemic barriers that impact those reentering Alaskan communities after incarceration.

The Next Simulation is scheduled for August 2025, more details to come!