WELCOME TO STARTING OVER FOR SUCCESS
LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND AND LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE
OUR PURPOSE
The mission of this non-profit organization is to reduce the disenfranchisement of ex-offenders and assist them in rebuilding their lives through relevant job training, gainful employment and access to housing and other community resources
S.O.S. operates as a temporary staffing agency working only with individuals who have been incarcerated. We refer individuals to appropriate social agencies and organizations that can facilitate their successful re-entry into our communities. We recognize that released prisoners face a myriad of challenges that contribute to their return to criminal activity, re-arrest and re-incarceration. Some of these challenges include joblessness, substance abuse, mental health problems, low levels of educational attainment, lack of stable housing and poor family connections. By leveraging resources and developing community collaboration we are improving community safety and the quality of life for our residents supporting one ex-offender at a time.
HISTORY AND MISSION
Starting Over for Success (S.O.S) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization established in 2008 to provide services to the ex-offender population in Barry and adjoining counties in the State of Michigan. SOS assists this population in rebuilding their lives through relevant job training, gainful employment, transportation and access to community resources. An amendment to the SOS bylaws in 2012 includes transitional housing as one of our primary purposes along with employment opportunities and development of vocational skills.
In 2015 the focus of SOS changed from transitional housing to our original purpose which is employment assistance. The sale in late January of our transitional home in Battle Creek was instrumental in allowing SOS the funds necessary to accommodate this change. SOS now operates as a temporary staffing agency specifically serving the ex-offender population. We currently operate in Barry and Allegan Counties.
In January 2020, the Board unanimously approved updates to the by-laws and the revised mission statement following
Mission: “Rebuilding people and communities - one individual at a time. “
The mission of Starting over for Success is to provide employment opportunities and to develop vocational skills and training for ex-offenders in Barry and adjoining counties in Michigan. To this end, the Organization will assist in providing housing and transportation needs for the people it serves. It is hoped that the re-employment of ex-offenders will enhance public safety and the quality of community life.
PARTNERS
S.O.S. currently serves Allegan, Barry and Ottawa Counties. We partner with employers, the criminal justice and correction systems, Michigan Works!, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, faith based organizations, and other community service providers that support the ex-offenders' re-entry back into the community.
SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE
We focus on three main services. Through a partnership with Michigan Works! West Central, we provide housing for those exiting the prison system who have no support system. We provide employment assistance to parolees and probationers who seek work. This includes resume development, job search and assistance with I-9 documentation requirements and support services for work related items. SOS also provides transportation to and from work for a small fee or no fee.
RESULTS
In Barry County in 2022, 101 individuals received one or more service with 66.2% of those gaining employment. In 2021 SOS served 116 participants with 76.24% gaining employment. Jobs included a variety of manufacturing positions including CNC and welding, restaurants, fabrication, tree services, office assistants, skilled trades and construction. SOS began to provide services in Allegan County in late 2022. Because a full year of metrics is not yet available, their numbers are not included above.
WHY SUPPORT OUR MISSION?
Employing this population saves you money. It costs the taxpayers in the State of Michigan between $35,000 and $45,000 to house one inmate for one year. Of the 11,000 inmates released from prison each year in the state of Michigan over 18% will return as parole violators within one year, and 45% will return to prison sometime within their parole period. Statistics prove that parolees who do not have a job and a support system in place within 30 days have a 30% chance of returning to prison within 3 years.
What can you do?
You can help reduce recitivism and help ex-offenders find success when starting over through your donation of any amount. Your donation helps to provide assistance for them to become gainfully employed members of the community.
HELP REBUILD A LIFE!
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Starting Over for Success relies on charitable donations to fund the many programs designed to assist ex-offenders in the process of re-building their lives. Your donation is tax-deductible and we welcome contributions of any size. Click the Donate button below to be directed to a secure Paypal account and begin making
WHO WE ARE
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
Dr. Dennis Bona has been President of Northland Community & Technical College since July of 2015. Prior to that he had served as the President of Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek Michigan from 2010 to 2015 and had held several other administrative positions working his way through an extensive career in Higher Education that be
Dr. Dennis Bona has been President of Northland Community & Technical College since July of 2015. Prior to that he had served as the President of Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek Michigan from 2010 to 2015 and had held several other administrative positions working his way through an extensive career in Higher Education that began with teaching welding in 1981. He distinguished himself as a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the Battle Creek Educators Task Force, Legacy Scholars/BCCAN Board, Southwest Michigan Workforce Development Board, and the executive board for the Michigan Community College Association. He also held leadership roles in several state professional organizations such as Michigan Educators Apprenticeship & Training Association, Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council, and Michigan Community College Chief Academic Officers.
He is currently a member of the Grand Forks Area Chamber of Commerce – Business, Government, Education Advisory Committee, Grand Forks Regional Economic Development, Thief Rivers Falls Rotary, Valley Prosperity Partnership, Northwest Minnesota Foundation Impact 20/20 Education Task Force, Thief River Falls Area Community Fund, and is a Trustee on the Binda Foundation Board.
An accomplished speaker, Dr. Bona has presented at State and National Conferences, testified to the Michigan Legislature and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. He has taught as an adjunct professor for Western Michigan University and Michigan State University and was recognized nationally with the Administrative Leadership Award from the National Council for Learning Resources of the American Association of Community Colleges in 2009. He holds two undergraduate degrees from Ferris State University and both his Master’s and Doctorate degrees are from Western Michigan University.
SECRETARY - JOSEPH MILLS, Esq.
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
W. Joseph Mills has been engaged in the general civil practice of law in Michigan State Courts and various Federal Courts since 1975. Joseph’s specialty areas include: estate and trust settlement and planning, real estate, tax, business entity formation and planning, domestic relations and debtor / creditor matters. He has also appeared
W. Joseph Mills has been engaged in the general civil practice of law in Michigan State Courts and various Federal Courts since 1975. Joseph’s specialty areas include: estate and trust settlement and planning, real estate, tax, business entity formation and planning, domestic relations and debtor / creditor matters. He has also appeared numerous times in State and Federal trial and appellate courts.
Joseph reviewed the documents, offered advice and contributed to the formation of Starting Over for Success through his legal practice. He is currently the Principal Attorney for W. Joseph Mills PLCC formerly Mills & Shaw PLLC in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Prior to 1994 Joseph was a principal attorney for Seyburn, Hencken, Mills & Shaw PC of Kalamazoo and also engaged in a solo practice.
Mr. Mills received his BA degree from Grinnell College in Grinnell Iowa and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law. He has been a member of the Michigan State Bar and the Kalamazoo County Bar Associations since 1975, and served as a member of the Michigan State Bar Grievance Committee.
In addition to serving as Secretary for Starting Over for Success, Mr. Mills has served as a Board Member of Friends of the Kalamazoo Library,Past President and Board member of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, Past President and Board Member of Residential Opportunities, Inc., Former Board Member of Colleges International – Kalamazoo Chapter, Trustee of Friends School in Detroit, Member of Alpha Sigma NU Honor Societyand has been involved with Youth Soccer as a Coach and Referee.
TREASURER - KAREN FERRIER
BOARD CHAIR - DENNIS BONA, EdD
DIRECTOR - ELIZABETH FORBES
Spent 25 years in the staffing industry working for Spherion and Adecco Staffing. She held many positions during her tenure including branch management, area manager, and national account representative. She attempted retirement in 2011 but ended up working part-time to keep busy. Karen began working with Starting Over for Success in
Spent 25 years in the staffing industry working for Spherion and Adecco Staffing. She held many positions during her tenure including branch management, area manager, and national account representative. She attempted retirement in 2011 but ended up working part-time to keep busy. Karen began working with Starting Over for Success in 2015. She was asked by the S.O.S. Board of Directors to create the staffing model that would provide employment opportunities to the ex-offender population. She continues to manage the program today.
DIRECTOR - ELIZABETH FORBES
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
DIRECTOR - ELIZABETH FORBES
Elizabeth Forbes, a longtime resident of Barry County, Michigan is one of the original Board members of Starting Over for Success. She has served on the Hastings Planning Committee and held the position of Board Chair for Cable Access. Her employment history is comprised of work in the educational field including Barry Intermediate Schoo
Elizabeth Forbes, a longtime resident of Barry County, Michigan is one of the original Board members of Starting Over for Success. She has served on the Hastings Planning Committee and held the position of Board Chair for Cable Access. Her employment history is comprised of work in the educational field including Barry Intermediate School District, Kellogg Community College, and Grand Rapids Community College. While at GRCC she facilitated many community-based problem-solving groups. One such group was the Kent County Re-Entry Roundtable where she served as Board Treasurer. In addition to enjoying retirement, she continues to work part-time as a transcriptionist with the Barry County Sheriff Department.
DIRECTOR - RONALD HEILMAN
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
Ron joined the SOS Board in 2011 as a Director, and served as Chairperson for ten years. He received his Bachelor in Human Relations degree from Aquinas College Summa-Cum- Laude, and has studied criminal justice and courses in psychology and cognitive behavior at Grand Rapids Community College and various other institutions.
His diverse
Ron joined the SOS Board in 2011 as a Director, and served as Chairperson for ten years. He received his Bachelor in Human Relations degree from Aquinas College Summa-Cum- Laude, and has studied criminal justice and courses in psychology and cognitive behavior at Grand Rapids Community College and various other institutions.
His diverse employment background includes the office furniture and marine industries. He also served as constable and building inspector for Allegan County. In addition, Ron holds real estate and building licenses.
Ron is a lifetime member of the VFW and AMVETS and served in the US Army. He also served as an appointed member of the Barry County Corrections Board and currently serves on the Michigan Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board for seven Michigan counties.
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
DIRECTOR - JEFFREY WESTRA, F.A.
Jeff Westra began his career working as a Parole Officer in Calhoun County serving clients as they returned to the community from prison. In working with the clients, he recognized that the traditional models of Probation and Parole were not always meeting the complex needs of individuals. Shortly thereafter, he began working with, and
Jeff Westra began his career working as a Parole Officer in Calhoun County serving clients as they returned to the community from prison. In working with the clients, he recognized that the traditional models of Probation and Parole were not always meeting the complex needs of individuals. Shortly thereafter, he began working with, and developing specialty court programs in Barry County, where he spent 13 years, ultimately becoming the Program Director for the Adult Drug Court and Office of Community Corrections. Mr. Westra left his position with Barry County to work for the Michigan Department of Corrections as a Grant Specialist, helping to fund programs throughout the State and build programs designed to prevent criminal behavior and assist people in escaping the downward spiral often associated with the criminal justice system. He currently works as a Financial Adviser, but maintains his passion for helping individuals in changing self-defeating patterns of coping with life.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOYCE SNOW
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOYCE SNOW
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOYCE SNOW
Joyce Snow founded Starting Over for Success from a business plan she developed for her Masters Degree capstone project. Her Masters Degree is in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and her Bachelor Degree is in Business from Michigan State University. She has 25 years of management experience in human resources, traini
Joyce Snow founded Starting Over for Success from a business plan she developed for her Masters Degree capstone project. Her Masters Degree is in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and her Bachelor Degree is in Business from Michigan State University. She has 25 years of management experience in human resources, training, and workforce development in both the private and public sectors. She is a trained facilitator and was a certified mediator through the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. Her black-belt training in Lean Six Sigma has given her process tools that she has employed to create cost saving programs. She has designed an employee appraisal tool and a compensation determination structure and has conducted, analyzed and packaged wage and benefit surveys.
Her work knowledge includes compensation and benefits, agriculture, education, grant writing, insurance, and training. She has experience with both union and union-free manufacturing environments in the automotive, aerospace, sporting goods, educational and medical devices industries. Her non-profit and public sector experiences include HR Consutling Director of Lansing Community College and Management of the Michigan Works! Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, Employment Services, Welfare Reform and Workforce Investment Act programs which are designed to provide training and/or employment to various populations of the public.
HONARY ASSOCIATE - RALPH POLUMBO
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOYCE SNOW
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOYCE SNOW
Ralph M. Polumbo joined Albany International Corp. in 2006. He has served the Company as Senior Vice President – Human Resources since April 3, 2006. From 2004 to April 2006 he served as Head of Human Capital for Deephaven Capital Management. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Vice President – Human Resources
and Business Integration for MedS
Ralph M. Polumbo joined Albany International Corp. in 2006. He has served the Company as Senior Vice President – Human Resources since April 3, 2006. From 2004 to April 2006 he served as Head of Human Capital for Deephaven Capital Management. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Vice President – Human Resources
and Business Integration for MedSource Technologies. Prior to MedSource, he held the positions of Vice President – Integration, and Vice President – Human Resources for Rubbermaid. From 1974 to 1994, he held various management and executive positions for The Stanley Works.