The Center for Emerging Adults, Returning Citizens and Correctional Education

The Center for Emerging Adults, Returning Citizens, and Correctional Education (C.E.R.C.) expands access to college, workforce training, and apprenticeship pathways for individuals impacted by the justice and child-serving systems, including those who are incarcerated, returning to the community, or aging out of care. C.E.R.C. supports educational continuity and career mobility through correctional education, reentry-aligned programs, and employer partnerships.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Center for Emerging Adults, Returning Citizens, and Correctional Education (C.E.R.C.) is to empower justice-impacted adults and transitioning youth by providing equitable access to education, career pathways, and comprehensive support through community partnerships and engagement that foster opportunities, reduce barriers, and promote long-term academic, wrap around support, and workforce success.

Program Goals:

1. Strengthen Reentry Support

Provide comprehensive reentry services that address immediate and long-term needs including education and career planning to ensure a stable and successful transition for emerging adults, returning citizens, and justice-impacted individuals.

2. Expand Equitable Educational Pathways

Develop and deliver accessible educational pathways from certificates, degrees, and apprenticeships that lead to life-sustaining, high-demand careers aligned with regional workforce needs. Ensuring equitable opportunities for learning, credential attainment, and economic mobility.

3. Build Career Pathways that Lead to Economic Mobility

Partner with employers, workforce boards, and community organizations to create seamless CORI friendly pathways from education to employment prioritizing high-growth fields such as clean energy, skilled trades, technology, and behavioral health care.

4. Reduce Barriers to Access and Completion

Provide wraparound support including tutoring, advising, community referral services, and reentry coaching to help participants persist through training, complete credentials, and secure meaningful employment.

5. Promote Long-Term Success and Community Integration

Equip emerging adults and returning citizens with life skills, professional competencies, and supportive networks that promote stability, reduce recidivism, and strengthen community reintegration.