Free2Succeed

05/13/2025

I wanted to provide an update to recent decisions involving AmeriCorps and what you may have heard in the news. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/16/doge-comes-for-americorps-staff-in-washington-and-across-the-country-00295377

The IDOC Free2Succeed program had an AmeriCorps project that was utilizing AmeriCorps VISTAs in most of our districts over the past number of years. These individuals have been critical in the local facilitation of the Free2Succeed program and a tremendous help to me, mentors, mentees, and staff - and in turn, their local communities have benefitted greatly from their efforts.

However, on April 21, IDOC received notice that the project was being eliminated (along with hundreds across the country) and all of the VISTAs were being placed on administrative leave effective immediately.

Let me make very clear that the IDOC Free2Succeed Community Mentor program has not gone away. It is still here and available to those who request a mentor. All communication and logistical details are now being facilitated by me at IDOC Central Office until further notice.

Any questions or suggestions, please contact me at [email protected]

Employees were abruptly placed on administrative leave.

02/08/2023

Mentor Training and Orientation in BOISE on Feb. 23rd. Come and find out more about the Free2Succeed program and how you can utilize your time and life experiences to help others be successful.

District 4
Boise Thursday,
February 23 6 - 9 p.m.
Idaho Department of Correction
1301 N. Orchard St., Boise, ID

Mentor training is required for all current and potential mentors on an annual basis - even if you are a current volunteer volunteering in facilities.

02/08/2023

Mentor Training and Orientation in CDA next week - Friday, Feb. 17th at Christ the King church. Come and meet the new site coordinator, Eric Pittsley, and learn more about Free2Succeed. This is also the opportunity to get the annual training requirement fulfilled.

District 1
Coeur d'Alene
Friday,
February 17
4 - 8 p.m.

Christ the King Life Recovery
1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave. CDA, ID

Mentor training is required for all current and potential mentors on an annual basis - even if you are a current volunteer volunteering in facilities.

01/11/2023

Posting for interested individuals for a vacant AmeriCorps VISTA position in Idaho Falls and soon in Pocatello with the Free2Succeed. Let me know if you might be interested and I can get you some additional information.

01/11/2023

Good morning! Wanted to provide a couple of updates regarding Site Coordinators for the Free2Succeed program.

Bambi Pedersen has agreed to fill the second VISTA position in D4. She will be working in the Boise Emerald P&P office and in conjunction with Venessa Stucky who will continue to serve as the Lead VISTA from Mountain Home.

Bambi has been with the Free2Succeed program since about the inception. She is a formerly incarcerated individual and recently (July 2022) was granted an early release from supervision. Bambi will bring her lived experience and passion for mentoring to this position and I am excited to have her on board. Her official start date is January 17th.

Points of contact for district 4 will be Venessa Stucky and Bambi Pedersen.

Jim Parkinson was the VISTA in CDA - district 1 for quite some time and I am grateful for his service to that area as the site coordinator. Eric Pittsley will assume the role of VISTA and the Free2Succeed Site Coordinator in District 1 on January 17th.

Eric has lived experience as a formerly incarcerated individual and has been serving as a mentor while involved in many community initiatives focused on resources for returning citizens.

Please welcome these good people to the Free2Succeed program as new Site Coordinators.