Lake County Supports Justice-Involved Individuals
Lake County Probation Department Offers Resources and Guidance for Justice-Involved Individuals
Last month, the Lake County Probation Department hosted an event featuring guest speakers and resources and celebrated the grand opening of its Mobile Services Unit. A community event was also held regarding a new housing project for justice-involved individuals.
The Lake County Department of Probation’s mission is “to continually improve the quality of community life by enhancing public safety, acknowledging staff accomplishments, assisting victims and offering the hope of a more productive lifestyle for individuals on supervision.”
Part of the department’s core beliefs are “treating all people with dignity and respect” and “people can change, and probation services are a viable means to affect positive change.” To read the detailed commitment and beliefs, click here. Upholding the department’s beliefs, the Lake County Probation Department, in collaboration with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, hosted the 3rd Annual Resilient Re-entry event on October 11, 2024. The event offered resources and services specifically tailored to justice-involved individuals such as record expungement, information on college education opportunities and free tattoo removal services.
The event also featured four inspirational keynote speakers who have successfully transitioned from incarceration to leading fulfilling lives: Randall Cole, an accomplished author and substance abuse counselor; Caressa Smith, a passionate advocate for second chances and the dedicated manager of the Hope Center; Jennifer Nauert holds a master’s degree from Cal Poly Humboldt and is a substance abuse disorder counselor; and Elizabeth Quiroz, a distinguished author and co-founder of the Redemption House. The event also introduced the new Lake County Probation Mobile Services Unit, which will offer homeless justice-involved individuals the opportunity to connect with Probation resources.
Lake County Chief Probation Officer Wendy Mondfrans was also in attendance and was proud of the turnout. “We are so excited by the number of community organizations that partnered with us to make this event happen. Thank you to Woodland College for their support and for allowing the event to continue to happen on their campus each year. There were so many resources and inspiration provided to those that attended.” Also in attendance were Lake County Board of Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, Lake County Public Defender Ray Buenaventura and Richie Occhino, Outreach and Prevention Specialist from the Lake County Behavioral Health department.
In addition to the 3rd Annual Resilient Re-entry event, the Lake County Probation Department partnered with Rural Communities Development Corporation (RCHDC) on October 23, 2024, to host a community meeting at the Lake County Courthouse in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. The focus of the night’s meeting was the approved housing project for justice-involved individuals, potential locations for the project, and the resources that will be available for individuals who will be housed in the projects.
Lake County continues to service all its residents, firmly acting on its belief that “all people can change,” so all its residents can live their best lives in Lake County.