image59
image60
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • WHO WE ARE
  • CONTACT US
    • Home
    • ABOUT US
    • WHO WE ARE
    • CONTACT US
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • WHO WE ARE
  • CONTACT US

Welcome to Starting Over for Success

Welcome to Starting Over for SuccessWelcome to Starting Over for SuccessWelcome to Starting Over for Success

Welcome to Starting Over for Success

Welcome to Starting Over for SuccessWelcome to Starting Over for SuccessWelcome to Starting Over for Success

About Us

image61

PURPOSE

   

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. 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.  

image62

PARTNERS

S.O.S. partners 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. 

image63

FUNDING

S.O.S. raises funds through grants, private donations and the sale of  services.


Why help?   

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. Statistics prove that parolees who do not have a job and a support system in place within 30 days of their release have a two to one likelihood of re-offending.
 

Recidivism
Of the 14,000 inmates released from prison each year in the state of Michigan over 30% will return to prison within 3 years.   

image64

$0.00
Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

Your donations help us provide assistance to the ex-offender population seeking employment. We provide identification documents, purchase essential personal items, and have a van service to assist individuals in getting to and from work.


Your donation is tax-deductible and we welcome contributions of any size. Click  the Donate button above to be directed to a secure PayPal account OR your donation can be mailed to Starting Over for Success - P.O. Box 54 - Hastings, MI  49058.


Either way, your contribution will be helping someone to build a new life.

HISTORY

 

 In her years of working with the public in employment and workforce  development, the founder of S.O.S. saw an emerging pattern. The majority of  employers had a “no felony” hiring policy. As she worked with these ex-offenders  to assist them in getting a job she realized that not being able to gain  employment was a major cause for recidivism. If they couldn’t get a job, they  couldn’t pay their fines, pay for rent, child support, transportation or even a  driver’s license. Without a means of support, many were re-incarcerated and the  whole process would begin again. She thought it unfair that after an individual  served their time and paid their debt to society, that most spent the rest of  their lives still paying for their crimes by lack of opportunities especially in  the employment arena.
 

Finally, at a meeting for the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative program,   she met an individual who had been involved in a drug related crime as a woman in  her early 20’s and had spent 18 years behind bars. She had used that time to  get a college degree (something that is no longer offered to inmates) but found  out when she was released that there were more barriers than ever. Not only did  she have to retrain herself to live in the world outside the prison gates, but  she faced difficulties in getting legal identification papers and discrimination  in applying for employment, buying a house and getting a loan for a car.
 

This scenario that S.O.S. founder Joyce Snow saw replayed with many individuals  over the years and her own connection to the courts through her son’s  turn-around through mentoring and the opportunity of employment led her to write  a paper for her Master’s Degree that became the blueprint for the birth of  Starting Over for Success.

WHO WE ARE

image66

 

Ronald Heilman - Chairperson

Ron  joined the SOS Board in 2011 as a Director.  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 served as constable and  building inspector  in Allegan County. In addition, Ron holds real  estate and building  licenses.   Ron served on the  Barry County  Corrections Board and chaired Region Six of the  Michigan Supreme Court Foster  Care Review Board. He served in the U.S. Army and is a member of American Legion Post 45, Hastings, Michigan,life member and Commander of D.A.V. Chapter 139 Hastings, Michigan and also life member of the V.F.W. and Amvets. Ron utilizes the inmate release program to have workers get a sense of pride helping create the veterans memorial and other projects in Yankee Springs Township.



image67

W. Joseph Mills - Secretary

 

Joseph 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, and business entity formation and  planning,.   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 BoardMember of Residential Opportunities, Inc., Former Board Member of Colleges  International – Kalamazoo Chapter, Trustee  of Friends School in Detroit, Member of  Alpha Sigma NU Honor Society and has been  involved with Youth Soccer as a Coach and  Referee.

 

image68

Karen Ferrier - Treasurer

  

Karen has spent 25 years in the staffing industry working for Spherion and Adecco Staffing.  She held many positions during her tenure including branch manager, 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 work part time and manages the housing program today.

BOARD MEMBERS

image69

Patrick Purgiel - Director

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

 Pat  spent 35 years as a High School Business Education Instructor, Coach,  and department head. Pat has also taught business, law, and career preparation  classes as well as being placement director for the work experience students.  Most recently Pat has taught a variety of Business related courses as adjunct  instructor for Kellogg Co

 Pat  spent 35 years as a High School Business Education Instructor, Coach,  and department head. Pat has also taught business, law, and career preparation  classes as well as being placement director for the work experience students.  Most recently Pat has taught a variety of Business related courses as adjunct  instructor for Kellogg Community College and Miller College.  


Pat received his Associate Degree in Management from Davenport University,  his Bachelor's Degree in Business Education and Economics from Central Michigan  University and his Master's in Education from Western Michigan University.
 

Now retired, Pat is past president of Barry County's Public School Retired Employees  which is a chapter of the state MARSP., and is currently the local Legislative Ambassador for Barry County Association of Retired School Personnel. He is also active with various church and  community committees. Pat's passion, along with enjoying his children and  grandchildren, is running and biking and he is affiliated with a local  multi-sports club called the "Trilanders". 

image70

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

 Joyce Snow has over 20 years of experience in human resources, training, and workforce development. She holds a B.A. in Human Resources and a M.A. in Organizational Development. She is a trained facilitator, a Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Certified Mediator. 


Her work knowledge includes compensation and benefits, agriculture, education, gr

 Joyce Snow has over 20 years of experience in human resources, training, and workforce development. She holds a B.A. in Human Resources and a M.A. in Organizational Development. She is a trained facilitator, a Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Certified Mediator. 


Her work knowledge includes compensation and benefits, agriculture, education, grant writing, insurance, government administration, and training. 


Employment includes HR Director for the City of Battle Creek, and for Lansing Community College,  Barry County Commissioner, Consulting, Grant Writing and Management of the Michigan Works! programs in several counties.  
 

image71

Jeffrey Westra - Director

Joyce Snow - Founder / Director

Jeffrey Westra - Director

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, 

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.  


image72

Elizabeth Forbes - Director

Ralph Polumbo Associate Member

Dennis Bona, EdD Associate Member

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

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. 

image73

Dennis Bona, EdD Associate Member

Ralph Polumbo Associate Member

Dennis Bona, EdD Associate Member

 

Dr. Dennis Bona retired in 2020 from Northland Community & Technical College where he served as President 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 

 

Dr. Dennis Bona retired in 2020 from Northland Community & Technical College where he served as President 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.
  

image74

Ralph Polumbo Associate Member

Ralph Polumbo Associate Member

Ralph Polumbo Associate Member

 Ralph, now retired, 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 

 Ralph, now retired, 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. 

CONTACT US by Phone, E-Mail or Mail

Copyright © 2021 Starting Over for Success - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy