06/01/2026
Take a moment and imagine this:
A kid gets into a fight at school.
Maybe things at home were falling apart.
Maybe they were struggling with something nobody had caught yet.
Maybe they finally stood up for themselves.
It was a bad moment and there were intense consequences.
But they realized what they did was wrong, and their family got them the help they needed.
They started raising their hand in class.
Their grades came up.
They joined the team and showed up to every practice.
They joined clubs.
They excelled.
But despite all their effort, many parents didn't want their kids around that kid.
Teachers are overly difficult on them.
Administration watches them a little too closely.
This child walks into every room carrying the burden of a bad choice they made; a choice that might have been made years ago. Judgement no matter how much they have grown, and tried, and changed.
We'd ache for that kid. We'd say, "But look at them now, why can't you see who they're becoming?"
Some of us would go to battle with that child's family to make sure they were getting fair treatment.
That's exactly what it feels like to reenter a community after incarceration.
Formerly incarcerated individuals did their time.
They changed.
They grew.
They became involved in the community in meaningful ways.
But the label stays.
The Summit of Hope is actively working to help people on parole or probation by connecting them to the resources they need to succeed.
What can you do?
See the person. Not the conviction.
That's it.
See them.
If you need support but are not currently on parole or probation, please visit our website at www.McLeanCountyReentry.org and connect with our Reentry Navigators. We can help.
