ARCH News and Updates

Posted by · March 22, 2021 2:45 PM

The Brown Couch with Vanita Nevis | Mark Merriweather

Posted by Sarah O'Donnell · June 18, 2021 11:17 AM

Tell Ohio Legislators to Support Bail Reform

Posted by Sarah O'Donnell · May 28, 2021 2:05 PM

Episode Two | The Brown Couch with Vanita Nevis

Posted by Sarah O'Donnell · May 22, 2021 10:16 AM

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'Tremendously Blessed' - Mark Merriweather Spotlight

Posted on Updates by · February 03, 2021 2:42 PM

Three decades. That was how much time Mark Merriweather spent behind bars. During that time, he had helped prepare many returning citizens to face their new world. When it was his time to come home to his family, he realized he needed help too.

“The world is a whole different place. And to prepare yourself to come into this world is impossible from inside of prison.”

Advocacy & Action Items

Posted on Initiatives by · December 10, 2020 4:27 PM

Bail Call

Posted by Wendy Tarr · June 11, 2021 11:42 AM

Bail Reform

Posted by Wendy Tarr · June 11, 2021 11:38 AM

Bipartisan Bail Reform Bills Introduced in Ohio Statehouse!

Posted by Sarah O'Donnell · May 22, 2021 10:26 AM

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Contact the Business Network

Posted on Contact by · October 07, 2020 11:59 AM

The ARCH Business Network is a network of employers and business leaders that promotes second chance employment and assists persons with criminal records to access jobs. By partnering with ARCH, you're opening the candidate pool to skilled & entry-level workers who have justice involvement or come out of incarceration already trained and ready to work.

ARCH hand picks workers who fit your company atmosphere and position specifications. We will personally accompany you through the process of finding a candidate that's right for your business or organization. Additionally, the ARCH Business Network Manager will provide continued support & job coaching throughout the candidate's employment in your position.

If you are an employer looking to learn more about second chance employment, please fill out the signup form below so that our Business Network Manager, Dana Davis, can reach out.

Posted by · April 08, 2017 5:30 PM

arch logo

ARCH is an outreach project to help meet the needs of individuals who have been incarcerated, also referred to as returning or restored citizens. We aim to assist local faith communities in becoming welcoming spaces that provide essential support services to returning citizens on their road to reintegration and healing. This project also aids those who serve returning citizens to live out their faith with works of compassion and mercy.

ARCH does not discriminate in who we assist or limit our service to any denomination or tradition. We seek to support persons on their reentry regardless of faith affiliation.

Click here for current advocacy priorities (updated 12/10/20)

the need

Returning citizens have paid their debt to society in terms of serving time in jail or prison. Despite this, they continue to face monumental challenges becoming active members of their community. These challenges often result in unemployment, homelessness, collateral sanctions instituted by public policy, mental health treatment needs, and family life issues. The effects of criminal behavior and incarceration are major contributors to poverty in our community. ARCH is working to equip local faith communities to welcome and walk with returning citizens on their journey.

our history

The ARCH program includes elements surfaced by a Returning Citizens Working Group that was convened in 2016 by the Columbus Catholic Diocese Office for Social Concerns and Vincentian Ohio Action Network, which included prison ministers, formerly incarcerated leaders, and community partners actively meeting to address reentry needs. The ARCH program was formally launched in Winter 2017 with the sponsorship of the Catholic Diocese Office for Social Concerns and St. Vincent de Paul, via the Vincentian Ohio Action Network, with seed funding provided by The Catholic Foundation. ARCH also receives funding from Franklin County Board of Commissioners Justice Policy and Programs and collaborates with many other networks and groups in the community, including All in Community, a reentry program from the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church and various other interfaith and community-based reentry projects.

Upcoming Reentry Events

BUILDING BRIDGES of Opportunity | Tuesday Talks with the ODRC

TOPIC: Child Support Done Right - Fact vs Fiction

July 13th @ 6:00-7:30pm on Zoom

Child support orders don’t go away with a parent’s incarceration. Understanding and managing child support orders appropriately during incarceration helps loving caregivers on the outside and sets up parents for better success when they return home.

Join All in Community and ODRC for this session when experts share what is true about child support and what is not. They will share information on how to manage child support orders during incarceration and walk through an incarcerated parent’s child support options. Armed with the right facts, good information, and options makes managing child support orders easier for everyone.

Registration Information Coming Soon. Questions? Contact: Darryl Graves at [email protected]

Everybody In! Building Bridges | Community Experience October 14-16, 2021

"Successful and safe reentry takes all of us. You. Me. We. Everybody. When everybody’s involved, included, and interconnected in efforts to create a better system of reentry, everybody wins in the community. Simply put, when everyone does something, no one has to do everything.

Join Building Bridges of Opportunity for the Everybody In Community Experience to connect and collaborate in your community context. From breakout sessions to reentry resources to restorative discussions, the Community Experience is where you can find your passion point, your purpose, your place, and your people to co-labor in Building Bridges of Opportunity for reentry.

The Everybody In Community Experience is designed for you to leave equipped and engaged for your next actionable steps. With intentional strategic partners and transformative solutions, everybody can flourish in your community."

Mark your Calendars Now! Registration Opens August 1st, 2021. Cost: Free

Details available on the UMC Website

What's going on at ARCH?

Episode three of the Brown Couch with Vanita Nevis is truly special.

Vanita Nevis - Program Coordinator, ARCH - welcomes Mark Merriweather, returning citizen and professional business plan writer, and his son, Mark Jr to her couch to talk about what it's like to be incarcerated together, and how they're striving to break familial cycles of imprisonment. Grab a few tissues and settle in for a compassionate and heartfelt conversation between father and son.

We hope you all enjoy this episode of The Brown Couch and stay tuned for future guests!

We'd like to let you know about two exciting events:

1. The launch of the Black Appalachian Coalition in cooperation with ReImagine Appalachia and the NAACP and,

2. A Community Pop-Up event on June 25th, Friday at Church for All People

Click here to read more!

Reentry Week 2021 | Community Pop-Up Showcase

Last month, dozens of agencies and organizations came together to make Reentry Week a collaborative success! To catch up on the panels, events, and discussions that took place over Reentry Week, please go to www.centralohioreentryweek.com or view the YouTube channel, Central Ohio Reentry Week.

During Reentry week, Community pop-up events were offered daily throughout Columbus. Attendees were able to get birth certificates and ID vouchers. They were also able to sign up for BMV amnesty, Franklin county JFS/SNAP benefits, Primary One/Medicaid; as well as make medical & COVID appointments and view art from restored citizens.

We'd like to share the video the Reentry Week team put together to showcase these Community Pop-Ups. Check it out below!

Tell Legislatures to Support Bail Reform!

The justice system should be focused on both equity and protecting the community.

Senate Bill 182 and House Bill 315 on Bail Reform, two companion bills recently introduced in Ohio, are an important part of ensuring the justice system is focused on both.

We are asking you to call your representatives and voice your support for Senate Bill 182 and Senate Bill 315 on Bail Reform.

Please click HERE to find the script and legislative call-list.

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