How ReMerge empowers mothers for a brighter future

Sunnie headed off to college, but she couldn’t escape the feeling of not being enough. Her struggles turned into addiction, trying to fill the void. Sunnie was facing felony charges and up to seven years in prison.

Christy was battling a 21-year addiction to meth and cocaine. Being picked up by a bounty hunter was a defining moment in her life and she knew that she needed help.

Both women were facing prison time in Oklahoma, a state that has incarcerated more women per capita than anywhere else in the world for nearly three decades. They are also mothers.

Community leaders and local organizations knew there was a way to help these women break the cycle of incarceration, addiction and poverty. From their work, ReMerge was born. Since 2011, ReMerge has graduated 193 women who parent a total of 474 minor children. The program saved the state of Oklahoma more than $47 million dollars by providing a way for mothers to be restored to the community rather than serving prison time away from their children.

ReMerge serves mothers of minor children who are facing nonviolent felony charges in Oklahoma County. Without substantial treatment and support, these women are unlikely to break the cycle. The program utilizes evidence-based treatment and programming to provide individualized, wrap-around services for mothers and their families.

“There are a lot of commonalities in the women who come to ReMerge,” said Ginny Bass Carl, interim executive director. “Trauma, mental health issues, substance abuse, strained relationships, disruption in employment — these are the common factors. When they come to ReMerge, they have to be ready to own all of this and find a reason to get on a different trajectory. Strength and resilience need to be there, and lots of surrender.” 

ReMerge is an 18- to 24 month program with four phases, each of which has to be completed before graduation. “Some will fly through, but others may get stuck in one of the phases and we are here to help them through it. There are just so many factors, but we are constantly monitoring their progress and offering the support they need,” added Carl. When women arrive to the facility, most have no structure and they are quickly introduced to rigorous programming where every hour is accounted for. Carl says this helps the women balance and create structure once they graduate.

The number of women in the program varies, but its typically around 75 spanning all four phases. As the women phase up, they take on more responsibilities such as reunification with their children, completing their GED, work/life skills and addressing mental health issues. Carl said the requirements for everyone in the program are exactly the same. “They could have a college degree or never graduated high school—everyone completes the same program.”

ReMerge participants go to court every Friday. “We would not exist without the court,” added Carl. Participants are referred to ReMerge by the District Attorney’s office and the women enter a contract to participate in all aspects of the program. “The judge is really great at helping celebrate successes and encouraging the women, but there is accountability. If it isn’t upheld, incarceration is the next step.”

To help women learn valuable skills and return to the workforce, Catalyst Cookies was created thanks to a Wayfinder grant from United Way and additional support from Boeing. The women bake cookies, take orders and learn the basics of running a business. A part of the training requires participants to interview someone on the ReMerge staff. “One of the ladies asked to interview me,” said Carl. “She shared with me that before she came to ReMerge, she had a successful business and a family but was arrested on drug charges, had her assets confiscated and was spiraling out of control. Since joining our program, she has made up her mind that she will be successful — she’s dreaming, she has confidence and she expresses herself so well. After our talk, I realized she was lifting me up with her enthusiasm.”

The success with the Oklahoma County program has allowed ReMerge to expand into rural counties, specifically Canadian, Cleveland and McClain. Thanks to a grant from the state over the next three years, 15 women per county, per year will be eligible for the program. “The success of ReMerge and the solutions we’ve found can now directly impact women beyond our county borders,” said Carl. The hope is that these counties will eventually develop their own model of ReMerge.

The journey through ReMerge is a turning point for the women. Today, Sunnie is finishing her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Christy works as a screen printer and ministers to other women who are struggling.

“Recovery is a long journey, and we see our women build a sisterhood with one another and our staff,” said Carl. “Our philosophy is to never turn our back. We have open hearts and open doors to provide them the tools to harness their strength to be the women and moms they are meant to be.”