Partakers is Blooming-Our Spring 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

 We hope this new season finds you well.

 As the new season blooms, so is Partakers. We are welcoming wonderful new members to our staff. This is a huge leap for us, and their contributions will help us grow our vital work. We are expanding our reach and support opportunities with new partners such as the Fountain Fund, which expands economic opportunities for returning citizens.

Yes, this is a tumultuous time. Through these days, however, we have reflected on where to find the light and the promise for the future. In this chaotic moment, it may feel as if we do not know where to turn to find hope. We are fortunate that our work shines on just that! Hope. Despite all that swirls around us, Partakers is focused. We are determined. We are working each day to build on our success and ensure that we are supporting change in very tangible ways. We are energized every day by the hope our work brings for each and every one of our students. We could not be more proud of them or the bridges we are building to foster long-term communities centered on heart. At Partakers, we are looking ahead with excitement for our "small but mighty" organization.

 On March 21st, Partakers was honored and celebrated at a very special event at Norfolk Prison-“Partakers Mentor Appreciation Day”, organized by our wonderful volunteer coordinator, Amy Benjamin, and her Mentee Alex. Surrounded by Mentors, students, and graduates, we heard from voices who embody the ethos of Partakers-"Transforming Lives and Building Futures".

 The work of Partakers stands out from other in-prison and reentry programs because we are centered on these ideas: Relationships Matter, Mentors Matter! As April is "Volunteer Month", there is no better time to get involved with Partakers!

We are currently building our Mentor base for both our College Behind Bars and PEP Reentry Program. See below to learn how you can become involved. We hope you will join us for one of our Mentor Info Sessions to learn more about the Power of Partakers Mentoring.

Partakers is all about promoting and fostering education and the power of mentoring. Our unique relational model supports incarcerated students and folks returning home. We are building opportunities to change the trajectory of their lives, their families, and communities. In the process, we are also building vital bridges between communities and transforming the lives of our Mentors as well.

We simply could not do this vital work without your friendship and support.

 Thank you for always being here for us!

 Arthur Bembury, Executive Director