A photograph of four women wearing matching green shirts and white aprons. They were participants in Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s Chopping for Change program who competed in a competition during a 2025 Reentry Month event. From left to right: Darlene Ebert, Lexie Gordon, Chanel Caver, Meranda Gilbert.
Participants in Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s Chopping for Change program who competed in a culinary competition during a 2025 Reentry Month event. From left to right: Darlene Ebert, Lexie Gordon, Chanel Caver, Meranda Gilbert. Credit: Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry

You’re staying with a relative after completing a prison sentence. The relative wants you to get a job. You want that too, but you don’t have a valid ID. To get that, you need a copy of your birth certificate. The Office of Vital Records is in City Hall. To enter City Hall you need a valid ID. Meanwhile, your relative is getting impatient.

This is just one scenario you could face in the Community Reentry Simulation, one of the free public events offered in April as part of Cuyahoga County’s Reentry Awareness Month.

Many of the events are intended to help formerly incarcerated people with challenges like finding housing and employment. But others, like the simulation, are designed to help others understand the many obstacles that their returning family members, friends and neighbors face as they try to resume their lives.

Last year’s simulation participants found it “eye-opening,” said Chamomile Ware, communications manager for the county’s Office of Reentry. 

“They really felt like they did not have options,” Ware said. “They did not know what to do. They just genuinely did not have the answers that they wanted.”

Around 1,700 people participated in Reentry Awareness Month events last year. This year’s slate includes three new offerings: a health fair, an arts festival and a community game day and mixer. Registration is required for some events and encouraged for others.

Health and Wellness Fair 

Wednesday, April 1, noon to 4 p.m.

Collinwood Recreation Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland

Free private screenings, chair massages, simple flow yoga, healthy cooking demonstrations and budgeting help. Registration encouraged.

Data Walk

Wednesday, April 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Warrensville Heights Library, 4415 Northfield Road, Warrensville Heights

Join the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research for an interactive review of two recent reports on obstacles to finding housing (the reports are here and here). All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 Giant Eagle gift card. Register here.

Community Legal Clinic

Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Metro Campus Gymnasium, 2900 Community College Ave., Cleveland

One-on-one assistance with record sealing and expungement eligibility, outstanding warrants, public benefits and other resources and opportunities. The clerk of courts, Legal Aid, Ohio BMV and others will be in attendance. Registration encouraged.

“Why Didn’t I Get Hired?”: Resume and Workforce Development Workshop

Monday, April 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chambers Community Empowerment Center, 14305 Shaw Ave., East Cleveland

Personalized advice on writing resumes and interviewing, plus a panel with industry experts, hiring managers and career coaches discussing the most common hiring pitfalls and how to avoid them. Registration encouraged.

“The Next Plate: Serving Up New Chances” Culinary Showcase and Hospitality Fair

Tuesday, April 14, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank, 15500 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland

Watch alumni from top local programs (like Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s Chopping for Change) battle it out in a live demonstration of skill and resilience, then visit the Hospitality Resource Fair to connect with industry leaders and professional development tools. Registration encouraged.

Spring into Workforce Career Fair

Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tower City, 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland

Featuring more than 50 employers and resource providers. Registration encouraged for information about free parking.

Community Reentry Simulation

Monday, April 20, two sessions: 9 to 11 a.m.; 1 to 3 p.m.

Location TBA, near Downtown Cleveland 

In this immersive, role-playing experience, participants will walk through various stages of reentry, facing the same barriers and decisions that returning residents encounter daily such as probation requirements, finding stable housing, managing finances and accessing public services. This event is designed to foster empathy, raise awareness and spark important conversations. Register for the morning or afternoon session.

Fines and Fees Summit

Friday, April 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cleveland Public Library Glenville Campus, 11900 St. Clair Ave.

A discussion about the hidden costs of the legal system, bringing together those who have lived through the burdens and those who have the power to change them. Registration encouraged.

Legal Professionals Reentry Simulation: Understanding the Barriers to Successful Reintegration

Monday, April 27, 1 to 3 p.m.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 1375 E. 9th St., Floor 2, Cleveland

Through guided reflection and facilitated discussion, participants will gain valuable insight into the obstacles that can complicate reentry — and the opportunities the legal profession has to help remove them. Two hours of continuing legal education credit. Registration required.

Data Walk

Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Parma-Snow Library, 2121 Snow Road, Parma

Join the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research for an interactive review of two recent reports on obstacles to finding housing (the reports are here and here). All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 Giant Eagle gift card. Register here.

Charles R. See Forum on Reentry

Wednesday, April 29, doors open at 11:15 a.m., forum begins at noon, 

City Club of Cleveland, 1317 Euclid Ave., Suite 100, Cleveland

The annual forum honors See’s 44 years at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries and brings attention to criminal justice issues. This year’s theme is “Our Collective Voices Are Stronger Together: How Justice-Impacted Individuals Are Shaping Our Communities.” Visit cityclub.org to purchase tickets or to register to watch online.

An Evening of Reentry Arts and Culture Showcase

Wednesday, April 29, doors open at 5:30 p.m., showcase begins at 6 p.m.

Urban Community School, 4909 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

Community members, supporters and creatives are invited to this powerful showcase of artistic expression. Guests will experience performances (including one by Renovare, a string ensemble that performs in prisons and other marginalized spaces) and curated displays from musicians, actors, poets, spoken word artists, painters, visual artists, fashion and clothing designers, chefs and culinary artists. Free and open to the public. To apply to participate in the showcase, click here. The deadline is April 10.

Community Game Day Mixer

Thursday, April 30, noon to 3 p.m.

University Heights Library, 13866 Cedar Road, University Heights

An afternoon of food, music and friendly competition with interactive games designed to share facts and essential reentry insights that highlight the challenges and successes of returning neighbors. Meet the people behind the progress, learn about the impact of their work and unwind with the community spirit that makes it all possible. There will also be a screening of “Pieces of the Puzzle,” a documentary about people working to prevent gun violence. Registration encouraged.

Associate Editor (he/him)
Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”