Empowerment Zone Re-entry Initiative

Empowerment Zone Re-entry Initiative To donate directly to EZRI, please visit: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4358359

Our mission is to support our members in successfully re-entering the community by acknowledging that class and racial oppression have limited their opportunities prior to incarceration and upon release.

On May 22nd, we’re opening our doors to the community for Duane Thwaites Day — a day dedicated to access, dignity, and s...
05/14/2026

On May 22nd, we’re opening our doors to the community for Duane Thwaites Day — a day dedicated to access, dignity, and second chances.
Steer Ahead, a program created by Duane Thwaites and housed within EZRI, is hosting a Driver’s License Reinstatement Workshop right here at Greater Bethel, where both of our programs are rooted.
This event brings essential agencies together to help individuals clear the barriers that keep them from moving forward:
* Driver’s license reinstatements
* ID cards, tax payments, vehicle tags & registration
* Child support suspension resolutions & modification submissions
* Traffic and parking citation payments
* Criminal court costs, fines, and fees
* Payment plan setup and more
This is real, practical support — all in one place.
Participants seeking same‑day service must pre‑register using the QR code on the flyer.
📍 Greater Bethel Church
🕙 10am–3pm
📅 Friday, May 22nd
At EZRI, we’re proud to stand behind Duane’s vision and the Steer Ahead program as we continue building pathways for justice‑impacted individuals to reclaim stability, mobility, and hope.

Today our team participated in “When the Sentence Ends” simulation — an immersive training that mirrors the real barrie...
05/07/2026

Today our team participated in “When the Sentence Ends” simulation — an immersive training that mirrors the real barriers people face when returning home from jail or prison.
In the simulation, participants were given profiles based on real individuals.
Even with motivation and a plan, simple tasks — getting an ID, securing transportation, checking in with probation, finding work — quickly became overwhelming.
One missed appointment. One long line. One late bus.
And just like that, a person can lose their job, fall out of compliance, or face a violation that sends them back to jail.
For many of our clients, this isn’t a simulation. It’s their daily reality.
Most return home without housing, without support, and with systems that expect perfection while offering very little grace.
At EZRI, we walk alongside justice‑impacted individuals through counseling, case management, and reentry support — helping them navigate the barriers, rebuild stability, and reclaim their futures.
Reentry is more than release. It’s rebuilding a life in a system full of obstacles.
This is why our work matters. This is why we show up.

05/07/2026

✨ Ready for LEAP with Emily ✨

Stepping into the room with confidence, purpose, and grace. 💜
Tonight is all about empowerment, action, growth, and connecting with powerful women making a difference.

Cheers to elevating, inspiring, and supporting one another every step of the way. 👠✨




✨ Miami women: Healing, connection, and resilience start here. ✨We are excited to share our two free 6‑week community gr...
04/13/2026

✨ Miami women: Healing, connection, and resilience start here. ✨
We are excited to share our two free 6‑week community groups created just for women who deserve support, grounding, and a space to breathe again.
💜 Healing Circles: Trauma Support Group
For women impacted by incarceration, violence, loss, or long-term stress.
A space to rebuild emotional skills, reconnect with calm, and feel held by community.
💜 Women’s Resilient Living Group
For women living with chronic illness who want support, understanding, and tools to strengthen mind–body resilience.
🍽️ A meal is provided each session
💵 $15 incentive when you complete all 6 weeks
📍 Greater Bethel AME Church, Miami
📞 Call to register: (305) 456‑1278
If you or someone you love could use a space like this, you’re not alone and you’re welcome here.

🌟 Overtown Support Groups – Now Enrolling! 🌟Looking for a safe, supportive space to grow, heal, and connect with others ...
01/27/2026

🌟 Overtown Support Groups – Now Enrolling! 🌟

Looking for a safe, supportive space to grow, heal, and connect with others in the community? Our Overtown Support Groups are open to adults and offered at no cost.

Each group meets once a week for 6 weeks, and participants who complete all 6 sessions will receive a $15 incentive as a thank‑you for your commitment.

These groups are designed to help you build coping skills, strengthen emotional wellness, and feel supported by people who understand your journey.

📍 Location: Overtown 💬 Cost: Free 💵 Incentive: $15 for completing all 6 sessions 📞 Call us to register and get full details

Spaces are limited — take a step toward support, connection, and growth.

Reentry comes with pressure, expectations, and a lot of emotions — and your nervous system feels every bit of it.Today, ...
01/21/2026

Reentry comes with pressure, expectations, and a lot of emotions — and your nervous system feels every bit of it.
Today, give yourself permission to slow down.

Try this simple box‑breathing reset:

Inhale for 4
Hold for 4
Exhale for 4
Hold for 4
Repeat 3–4 times

This helps your body shift out of survival mode and into a place where you can think clearly, respond calmly, and stay grounded in your goals.

Small moments of regulation create big change.
Happy Wellness Wednesday.

Today we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His works remind us that progress comes from one step at ...
01/20/2026

Today we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His works remind us that progress comes from one step at a time.

Did You Know?1 in 3 Americans has a loved one impacted by the justice system.Reentry doesn’t just affect one person - it...
01/16/2026

Did You Know?1 in 3 Americans has a loved one impacted by the justice system.
Reentry doesn’t just affect one person - it affects families, workplaces, and entire communities. When someone comes home, they’re navigating housing barriers, employment challenges, mental health needs, and the pressure to rebuild stability while reconnecting with loved ones.
That’s why reentry support matters.
At EZRI, we provide trauma-informed counseling, case management, employment readiness, anger management groups, and community support that help bridge the gap between incarceration and long-term success.
When individuals thrive, families heal. When families heal, communities strengthen. When communities strengthen, everyone benefits.
Reentry is a community responsibility — and together, we can make second chances possible.


CommunitySupport MiamiDade ReentryEducation
TraumalnformedCare

✨ Motivational Monday | Building Stronger Pathways Together ✨At EZRI, we believe reentry is a community effort — one roo...
01/12/2026

✨ Motivational Monday | Building Stronger Pathways Together ✨

At EZRI, we believe reentry is a community effort — one rooted in collaboration, compassion, and the shared belief that every person deserves the chance to rebuild their life with dignity.

As we step into 2026, we’re honoring the resilience of our participants and the dedication of the partners who walk beside them every day. From county officials and attorneys to judges, service providers, and community advocates, your commitment helps transform barriers into opportunities.

This year, we’re focusing on growth, stability, and second chances.
Whether you’re working toward personal goals or shaping systems that create safer, healthier communities, your efforts matter.

💬 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s one goal you’re working toward in 2026 — personally or professionally?
Share it with us so we can uplift one another and continue building a community grounded in hope and accountability.

Together, we rise.
Together, we reenter stronger.

MiamiDadeCommunity JusticeImpactedVoices CollaborationInAction

You don’t have to navigate anger alone. Join our 7‑week Anger Management Group and learn how to understand your emotions...
01/06/2026

You don’t have to navigate anger alone. Join our 7‑week Anger Management Group and learn how to understand your emotions, build healthier reactions, and strengthen your relationships.

We’ll explore emotional regulation, triggers, boundaries, communication, and more — all in a small, supportive group setting.

📅 Mondays 11:00am–12:30pm 📍 EZRI, Overtown 📞 Call 305‑456‑1278 to reserve your spot

Open to probation‑required participants and anyone seeking growth during reentry or personal healing.

Address

Miami, FL
33136

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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