This story is featured in the Michigan Justice Fund’s 2023 Annual Report.
Fueled by personal experiences and a deep knowledge of the challenges of reentry, the founders developed programs that emphasize peer-led reentry and trauma-informed services.
With a staff of six full-time and three part-time empolyees and a team of volunteers with direct experience in the carceral system, A Brighter Way centers the development of trust and community building among stakeholders, centering the needs and experiences of justice-involved individuals. The organization assists 100-120 people per year in Washtenaw County in navigating the challenges faced by those impacted by incarceration.
While located in Washtenaw County, one of Michigan’s wealthiest, the organization largely serves individuals based in Ypsilanti, a city that struggles with issues of poverty and limited resources designated for this population. A Brighter Way incorporates knowledge of the area’s economic realities in their service delivery model.
Since 2021, Adam Grant has served as the Director of A Brighter Way, bringing significant lived experience and an acute understanding of participant needs. While common challenges such as transportation, housing, childcare, and job acquisition are ever-present, Grant identifies the establishment of trust as a paramount barrier in working with the community. The organization works with intention to foster that trust through time, experience, proximity, care, and frankness.
A Brighter Way operates as a navigator for program participants, going beyond standard services to provide access to supports uniquely tailored to each participant’s individual needs. The “Reentry through Relationship” program model centers collaboration and pairs participants with directly-impacted mentors who offer one-on-one counsel and support to to work through challenges and to identify and overcome barriers to a successful reentry.
According to Grant, A Brighter Way’s greatest contribution to the community is providing access to a network of individuals thoughtfully designing their approaches to meet the needs of individuals coming through their doors. These professionally trained mentors become lifelines for those seeking support and community as they work to re-establish themselves after time in jail and prison.
A Brighter Way’s impact extends beyond the Washtenaw-county area, as their work serves as a model statewide for participant-informed service delivery for justice-involved individuals and their communities.
To learn more about A Brighter Way, CLICK HERE.