U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on hand for opening of residential transition center

 

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was among officials in attendance at the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute to commemorate the opening of The Next Door, a center serving women who are emerging from incarceration and have histories of substance abuse and mental illness.

In a short speech, Holder lauded The Next Door for its transitional programs offered in residential settings that have become a model for similar organizations nationwide. 

"We must rededicate ourselves to expanding these efforts in Tennessee, and across the country." Holder said. "You provide not only a critical path to successful reentry, but a promising model that can be replicated across America. Supporting this work needs to be a priority, not only for our nation's Department of Justice, but for this administration as a whole."

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, joined Holder in championing the model that The Next Door will provide for re-entry programs elsewhere. 

"We're so supportive of what you've done, this is such a wonderful model for other places," Kerlikowske said. "If you've felt your ears burning, it's because we're talking about you." 

Funding for the creation of The Next Door, which opened its doors in June 2010, was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787 billion stimulus package approved at the height of the recession. 

Two other residential transition centers have opened in Nashville and Knoxville using the same funds.

With the holistic goal of addressing the mental, physical, and spiritual needs of women in crisis, services offered by The Next Door can assist up to 80 women at a time, often in a six-month program that begins while they are still under prison sentences. 

The organization provides transitional housing, addictive recovery support, individual and group counseling, case management, workforce development, and family education and reunification, along with many other services. 

Laticka Burgins, a participant in the program, gave testimony to the positive changes that had taken place in her life due to being able to take part in programs offered by The Next Door, as top government officials were seated at her side.

"I've been given a new beginning in my life," Burgins said. "The Next Door provided me with the support structures and resources which will help me transition myself back into society."

Her testimony, along with another, were met with a standing ovation.

Charles Traughber, chairman of the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole, said stories like theirs were a testimony to the state's willingness to stand up for offenders determined to turn their lives around. 

"Today is about the big story," Traughber said. "We support this group because we know the need is there. Every offender needs hope, and opportunity."

At the conclusion of the program, Holder and Kerlikowske met privately with program participants, to hear more first-hand accounts of how their lives had been affected by services offered by The Next Door.