Committee backs Goodwill proposal for reentry/welcome center; voice vote passes
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Summary
The committee approved an agreement (LMD-2025-0587) to partner with Goodwill Southern New England to establish a reentry/welcome center offering employment services, mentorship, transportation supports and data tracking; transcript records program scope and staffing but the exact agreement amount is unclear in the read-aloud.
The Health & Human Services Committee on Nov. 20 approved LMD-2025-0587, an agenda item to enter into an agreement with Goodwill Southern New England to support a centralized reentry/welcome center for people returning from incarceration. The item passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions.
A Goodwill representative described the proposal as a one-stop shop at or near Goodwill’s offices at 61 Amity Road. The presenter said the center would coordinate reentry supports — employment services, mentorship, referrals, data collection and outcome tracking — and provide access to public transit, gas cards and other immediate needs to improve access to services.
The presenter described intended staff funded under the agreement: a program coordinator (identified in the presentation), one community advocate, two life coaches and a case manager; the presenter said the city would fund a portion of rental costs for the center, but the transcript’s wording on the percentage was unclear. The presenter also said the center would serve as a Department of Correction (DOC) drop-off point for returning residents and that Goodwill performs post-release outreach and in-facility counseling.
Agenda language included a dollar figure read aloud during the meeting in slightly unclear terms; the transcript records the amount as 'about $2,050,950' (the wording in the transcript is inconsistent). Because the read-aloud in the transcript is not precise, the article flags the transcript ambiguity rather than asserting a specific contract amount.
Committee members expressed support for the partnership and the proposal’s focus on making services accessible; after discussion the committee moved and approved the item by voice vote.