JOINT NEWS RELEASE

Feb. 27, 2020

Media Contact:
Jeni McGregor, Chelan County Jail education coordinator, (509) 669-1594
Libby Siebens, WVC community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

Wenatchee Valley College was one of eight local agencies to participate in Chelan County Jail’s newest reintroduction classes. The classes offer information and resources to people who are incarcerated at Chelan County Regional Justice Center.

The Chelan County Regional Justice Center Reintegration Program recently hosted their second monthly class. Each class spans three days, during which agencies present on topics including basic needs, personal and professional development, and employment, education and training.

“The goal is to provide people with resources, hope, and opportunities to make an action plan in a space where they are more willing to make life changes,” said ashley olson, the Strategic Partnership Coordinator at WorkSource Wenatchee Valley.

Participation in the classes is voluntary. Chief Deputy of Administration at the jail Chris Sharp said inmates with sentences close to being complete are selected to participate. So far, about nine people have participated at each of the classes.

As one of the presenting agencies, WVC had presenters that spoke on the various programs, funding sources and campus resources that the college has to offer.

WVC presenters included WVC Education and Career Planner Amy Olson, Education Planners Nayeli Cabrera and Julie Fitch and Grant Coordinator Erika Schenkvonstauffenberg.

WVC Education and Career Planner Amy Olson said that many people don’t know that someone with a criminal record can still enroll at WVC and that most of them are eligible for state or federal financial aid. The college is just one of many options they have after leaving the jail, she said.

"Most participants had some interest in WVC programs, and also just being able to give information about what we have to offer and having some faces that they could seek out later on campus was beneficial,” Olson said.

According to the post evaluation forms that participants filled out, all of them said they were leaving with a better understanding of the resources, said Jeni McGregor, the education coordinator at Chelan County Jail. 

Additional agencies that presented resources at the program include Department of Social and Health Services, WorkSource, SkillSource, Planned Parenthood, Columbia Valley Community Health, North Central Accountable Community of Health and the Division of Child Support.

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The Chelan County Regional Justice Center (CCRJC), opened in 1984. CCRJC, through correctional options, effectively provides for the safety and security of the public, staff and inmates. Learn more at www.co.chelan.wa.us/regional-jail.

Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu. 

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.