Gainesville. Fla. — The NEFLIN Board of Directors announced that the Alachua County Library District Re-Entry Simulation is the winner of the 2022-23 NEFLIN Innovation Award. Staff involved in the program were on hand to accept the award during the 2023 NEFLIN Annual Meeting in Jacksonville.
The Re-Entry Simulation is used to develop empathy and understanding in the community for what the first few months after incarceration can be like for a returning citizen. Each participant is given “money” and a profile of someone recently released from jail and must complete a variety of required tasks within a specified amount of time.
“It’s great to see the efforts of the Library District and our community partners recognized. We’re always thinking about new and different ways we can bring opportunities for our community to participate, connect, and discover," said Barbara Hughey Reardon, Literacy Coordinator.