Mission Statement
At Buenorang, our mission is to empower justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives through a comprehensive, trauma-informed reentry program.
By addressing systemic barriers such as housing instability, food insecurity, and employment challenges, we provide the stability, tools, and support needed for long-term success.
Through our efforts, we aim to reduce recidivism, strengthen communities, and promote a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Program Background:
About the Schofield House Initiative
The Schofield House Initiative was founded with the mission of offering sustainable solutions to social challenges such as homelessness, unemployment, and educational disparities.
Its vision is to create a self-sustaining community hub that empowers individuals through support systems, education, and pathways to independence.
The Initiative aims to serve Delaware, a state with unique needs, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas.
The Schofield House serves as the cornerstone of the Buenorang program. Located in Ellendale, Delaware, it offers a phased approach to reentry, emphasizing stability and progressive self-reliance.
Key features of the Schofield House include:
• A supportive community environment that encourages peer accountability and collaboration.
• Customizable reentry plans tailored to each resident’s unique needs.
• Workshops and counseling services that equip residents with the skills needed to achieve long-term success.
The Schofield House also incorporates trauma-informed protocols, fostering trust and emotional resilience while addressing the root causes of maladaptive behaviors.
Our program addresses the key barriers to successful reintegration by ensuring residents have access to safe housing, nutritious food, and comprehensive support systems. This support includes career development, financial literacy training, and trauma-informed care. The Schofield House protocols provide a structured, phased approach to help residents establish independence, build accountability, and develop financial management skills.
This initiative seeks to reduce Delaware’s recidivism among program participants and create a replicable model for reentry success. By helping residents gain self-reliance, financial stability, and community reintegration, the Buenorang program empowers individuals to move beyond their past and build a sustainable, fulfilling future.
Individual Program Aspect Overviews
1. Food Procurement
The Food Procurement component of our program ensures that residents have consistent access to nutritious meals, addressing one of the most pressing challenges for reentering individuals—food insecurity. Reliable, healthy food allows residents to focus on program goals, including personal growth, job training, and life skills.
Strategy and Partnerships:
To maintain food security, we partner with local grocery stores, food banks, and community organizations. We seek donations and discounts on fresh produce, dry goods, proteins, and other essentials to provide balanced meals for all residents. These partnerships reduce program costs and foster community engagement in our mission.
Impact:
Access to nutritious food supports physical and mental health, enabling residents to engage fully in career development and personal growth opportunities. Stable food access is foundational to reducing recidivism, as it alleviates one of the primary pressures residents face, allowing them to invest in rebuilding their lives.
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2. Schofield Protocols
The Schofield Protocols provide a structured, trauma-informed framework that guides residents through progressive stages of reentry, equipping them with the skills and support needed for independent living.
Acclimation and Decompression (A&D):
During the initial week, new residents adjust to their new environment without immediate obligations. This phase allows them to observe peer interactions, become familiar with the program’s support systems, and build comfort and trust within the community.
Onboarding and Core Values:
Following A&D, residents participate in a week-long orientation that introduces the program’s core values of independence, accountability, and personal growth. Through discussions of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s "Self-Reliance" and trauma-informed care principles, residents begin to address personal challenges with self-compassion and a renewed sense of purpose.
Financial Literacy and Accountability:
As part of their progression, residents attend weekly financial literacy sessions covering budgeting, debt management, and saving. They learn practical money management skills, build credit, and work with counselors to establish a savings plan. This phase emphasizes responsibility and delayed gratification, instilling habits that prepare residents for financial independence beyond the program.
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3. Schofield House
The Schofield House serves as a safe, stable environment where residents can rebuild their lives. This group home is designed to provide both practical resources and emotional support, creating an environment conducive to growth and reintegration.
Housing and Stability:
Each resident has access to a secure, structured living environment, where they are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal space. This stability fosters dignity and promotes personal investment in their surroundings.
Support Services:
Residents benefit from comprehensive support services, including access to nutritious meals, job training, and counseling. Through workshops, mentorship, and career guidance, residents receive individualized support tailored to their reentry journey.
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Needs Assessment and Program Alignment: Addressing Recidivism in Delaware
Introduction
Delaware is grappling with a recidivism crisis driven by systemic barriers such as housing instability, food insecurity, limited access to mental health services, and inadequate employment opportunities.
These challenges create a cycle of re-incarceration, preventing justice-involved individuals from successfully reentering society and rebuilding their lives.
This document provides a comprehensive needs assessment of the challenges faced by Delaware’s justice-involved population and outlines how the Schofield House Initiative addresses these gaps through evidence-based, holistic solutions.
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Needs Assessment: Challenges in Delaware
1. Housing Instability
A lack of affordable, stable housing is one of the most significant challenges facing justice-involved individuals. Without secure housing, many are left vulnerable to homelessness and reoffending.
Existing Resources and Services
Delaware has transitional housing programs and workforce development agencies, yet these services often:
• Have long waitlists or lack sufficient capacity.
• Fail to integrate life skills education into their programs.
• Operate without addressing the interconnected nature of housing, education, and workforce needs.
Data:
o Delaware faces a housing supply deficit of over 20,000 affordable units (Delaware State Housing Authority).
o Homelessness in Delaware has increased by 40% over the past three years.
o Nearly half (47%) of low-income households in Delaware spend more than 50% of their income on rent, leaving them at risk of eviction or instability.
o Approximately 1 in 10 Delaware households reports experiencing housing insecurity.
2. Workforce Development Gaps
Justice-involved individuals face significant barriers to obtaining meaningful employment, which is critical for financial stability and successful reentry. Key barriers include stigma, limited access to training, and inconsistent work histories.
Data:
o Unemployment rates for justice-involved individuals are five times higher than for the general population (Prison Policy Initiative).
o In underserved regions of Delaware, unemployment rates exceed the state average of 4.1%.
o A 2022 survey revealed that 30% of individuals in transitional housing lack basic financial literacy or life skills necessary for long-term independence.
3. Food Insecurity
Food insecurity undermines physical and mental well-being, creating an immediate barrier to stability for justice-involved individuals. Without access to adequate nutrition, individuals struggle to focus on long-term reentry goals, such as employment or education.
Data:
o Up to 50% of justice-involved individuals experience food insecurity during the reentry process.
o Research links food insecurity to heightened stress, maladaptive behaviors, and difficulty maintaining employment or housing stability.
4. Emotional and Mental Health Barriers
The justice-involved population often faces untreated trauma and significant mental health challenges, which are compounded by a lack of access to adequate care during and after incarceration.
Data:
o Approximately 85% of incarcerated individuals report histories of trauma (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
o Many reentry programs neglect trauma-informed care, despite its demonstrated role in reducing recidivism.
o Untreated trauma and mental health issues often lead to maladaptive behaviors that increase the likelihood of reoffending.
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The Schofield House Initiative: Addressing These Challenges
The Schofield House Initiative is a comprehensive reentry program designed to address the systemic barriers outlined above. By integrating stable housing, workforce training, food security, and trauma-informed care, the program empowers justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve long-term stability.
1. Addressing Housing Instability
The Schofield House provides transitional housing in a safe, supportive environment, allowing residents to focus on rebuilding their lives without the immediate stress of homelessness.
Program Features:
o Secure transitional housing for up to 12 months.
o Case management to assist residents in transitioning to permanent housing.
Projected Outcomes:
o 85% of residents transition to permanent housing within 12 months of program completion.
2. Workforce Training and Employment Support
Residents participate in job-readiness workshops, financial literacy training, and career planning to overcome barriers to employment and achieve financial independence.
Program Features:
o Personalized career planning.
o Skill-building workshops focused on employment readiness.
Projected Outcomes:
o 70% of participants secure stable employment within three months of completing the program.
o Residents gain the skills and confidence to pursue higher-paying, skilled positions over time.
3. Ensuring Food Security
Through partnerships with local grocery stores, food banks, and community organizations, the Schofield House provides consistent access to nutritious meals for all residents.
Program Features:
o Meal assistance programs.
o Workshops on budgeting and healthy meal preparation.
Projected Outcomes:
o Residents with stable food access are 50% more likely to complete job training and avoid reoffending.
4. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma discovery sessions, emotional intelligence workshops, and individualized counseling are core components of the Schofield House approach to addressing emotional and mental health barriers.
Program Features:
o One-on-one counseling sessions.
o Group workshops focused on emotional regulation and stress management.
Projected Outcomes:
o 75% of residents report improved emotional regulation and stress management.
o Trauma-informed care reduces recidivism by up to 20% (SAMHSA).
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