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Oct. 28

Oct. 28, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Derek Rayment
Public + Media Relations Manager
531-MCC-2876, office
402-960-0697, cell
darayment@mccneb.edu
mccneb.edu

MCC receives major grant to fund new re-entry service program

OMAHA, Neb. — Metropolitan Community College is the recipient of a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The award will fund a new program within MCC’s 180 Re-entry Assistance Program called Living In Freedom Everyday (LIFE). LIFE will provide comprehensive education and employment support, increased coaching and tutoring to provide retention support. LIFE will also increase collaborative interaction and information sharing with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

“Through the Vocational and Life Skills program, we have come to value the important work MCC does in the 180 Re-entry Assistance Program. They provide much-needed support and services to individuals reentering our communities,” said Dawn-Renee Smith, deputy director for programs at NDCS. “The LIFE project will increase and expand those services. We look forward to our continued partnership and to see how these targeted services will impact individuals, their families and our communities.”

LIFE will focus service to 120 people housed at Omaha Correctional Center, state work release centers and to those transitioning from prison to reside in the Omaha metro. “We are very grateful for this grant because it is will help MCC expand our award-winning re-entry work while increasing collaboration with NDCS and success of those we collectively serve. 180 RAP has many success stories; the LIFE project will help us build on our success and reach more individuals, placing them on a path to a meaningful career,” said Diane Good-Collins, 180 Re-entry Assistance Program director.

For more information about the MCC 180 Re-entry Assistance Program, visit mccneb.edu/reentry.

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Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest post-secondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.