RJP Maine is excited to announce that Kyle White, a former resident of the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center (MCRRC), has joined the team at RJP Maine. Kyle was accepted into the Goodwill Industries Job Training Program this past October, while finishing his residency at the MCRRC. The job training program provides opportunities to learn new job skills with support from Goodwill Workforce Solutions. This opportunity will help Kyle transition into a Vista Volunteer position at the beginning of December. Both programs are offered by Goodwill Industries of Northern New England (GWI-NNE). We are thrilled to have Kyle onboard!- RJP Maine
Hello folks,
My name is Kyle White and I am pleased and excited to be working with RJP Maine this fall. I am just finishing up an 18-month sentence at the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center, which is where my passion for RJP Maine originated. Starting in 2018, with a strong repairing- the- harm circle, I became more deeply moved by the healing circle process. Through the experience of rebuilding a relationship with my grandfather that I thought would never be restored, I realized how powerful the restorative process was, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it going forward.
A year later, I had the opportunity to co-facilitate the Introduction to Restorative Justice course with Louise at the re-entry center! I greatly enjoyed teaching and being so involved with my fellow residents from the reentry center. I left the course hopeful to have inspired the guys to repair harms they might have made in their own lives. I have also been a part of other restorative conferences within the Juvenile diversion program. All of these experiences have taught me so much and I look forward to becoming more involved with the process.
I would like to use my experiences with the criminal justice system, together with my experiences with addiction and recovery to help others in their journey; moving beyond incarceration, poverty and addiction towards freedom, community and recovery. I hope to become an apprentice facilitator in the near future, and eventually a facilitator. I would like to be involved with implementing Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices in schools, as well as becoming involved with youth being released from Long Creek Youth Development Center. I would like to assist adults being released from reentry and from other Department of Corrections facilities in general. I look forward to being part of the creation of the Waldo County Community Justice Center as it engages communities across Waldo County.
On a personal note, I am 28 years-old, born and raised in the Belfast, Waldo County area, and graduated from Belfast Area High School. I have been painting houses most of my adult life, as well as welding. Currently I am enjoying my part time job with Pinkerton and Sons Disposal. Riding on the truck and throwing trash is actually a blast! I enjoy four wheeling, snowmobiling, driving, walks/runs outside, preferably with a dog, enjoy my time in the gym, hanging out with friends and family and reading. I enjoy working and keeping busy!
I’m grateful to be working with the Restorative Justice Project Maine I’m hoping that this new path will help me continue on my recovery path and reentry. With over a year in recovery, I hope I can support others I interact with to continue moving forward.