Project Backpack helps homeless individuals transition into the community

MONMOUTH- The Northwest Regional Office of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, housed at Western Oregon University, has implemented a project to help individuals achieve productive transitions into the community from Marion County correctional facilities.
Project Backpack provides all homeless persons returning to the community with a backpack that includes daily hygiene products, small stationary items, basic clothing necessities, and listings of employment opportunities, social, medical and mental health resources, and first aid supplies.
“The support the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice has shown the sheriff’s office has been wonderful and we look forward to a working partnership,” said Sgt. Tad Larson of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice survey, conducted in July 2005, revealed that 58% of 442 people incarcerated at Marion County jail had been homeless at some point in their lifetime and that 73% of respondents were parents. Each year approximately 5,000 (approximately 25%) of the individuals released from Marion County jails are indigent.
Project Backpack originated from the Marion County Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative. With the support of Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez, the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice has worked to provide mentors to parents incarcerated at Marion County jails. Mentors help parents to access mental health and treatment services and resources for parenting, education, employment, and housing. Mentors also assist parents in formulating plans for re-entry and transition.
For more information about Project Backpack, please visit www.cjcj.org, or contact William Brown, Director, or Rebecca Ambrose, Project Coordinator, at 503-838-8912.