For many individuals leaving incarceration in Knox and Waldo counties, the road to reintegration begins with little more than a plastic trash bag to carry their belongings. The transition back into society presents immense challenges, from securing basic necessities to rebuilding community connections.

Backpacks for Reentry is a collaborative initiative led by Volunteers of America Northern New England, in partnership with Helping Incarcerated Individuals Transition (HIIT) and Penobscot Bay YMCA’s Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships (PBCHP). This project provides individuals exiting Maine's Department of Corrections facilities with backpacks filled with essential items to support their successful reintegration.

Each backpack contains necessities such as hygiene products, clothing, and food, along with harm reduction tools like Narcan, local recovery and prevention resources, and—most importantly—hope. More than just a bag, these backpacks serve as a lifeline, addressing immediate needs while providing critical resources to help reduce recidivism and foster long-term success.

According to the National Institute of Justice, “social connections and support networks are among the most significant factors in reducing recidivism.” By equipping individuals with tools for a fresh start, Backpacks for Reentry empowers them to regain dignity, rebuild their lives, and reintegrate into their communities—because when they succeed, our entire community thrives.

How You Can Help: Your support can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals transitioning from incarceration.

• A $20 donation provides a fully stocked backpack filled with essential supplies and recovery resources.

• Or by donating a new backpack, you provide the hope, and we will fill it with the resources.

To donate, visit https://www.penbayymca.org/give and select the campaign “Backpacks for Reentry 2025,” or bring new backpacks to the Penobscot Bay YMCA.  Every contribution—whether financial or in-kind—plays a vital role in breaking cycles of incarceration and creating safer, stronger communities for all.

Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships (PBCHP), the community health promotion branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA, serves Knox and Waldo counties to support healthier living in Maine. PBCHP focuses on substance use prevention, harm reduction, tobacco/nicotine prevention, and nutrition education. For more information on how to support this effort, please contact: Jamie Lovley, Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships, jlovley@penbayymca.org  207-236-6313 ext. 1