Collaborative Alliances
Building Pathways Through Strategic Partnerships
Prison Education Project (PEP)
In 2021, Project Rebound partnered with the Prison Education Project (PEP) to offer opportunities for Project Rebound Scholars to facilitate non-credit-bearing classes inside local juvenile facilities. PEP is one of the largest volunteer-based prison education programs in the nation, recruiting student and faculty volunteers from partnered universities to teach courses, tutor in GED math and literacy, and provide academic presentations about their majors in adult and juvenile facilities across the state. Graduate students and community volunteers also offer career development, life skills, and wellness workshops. With the assistance of 3,000 university student and faculty volunteers, PEP has served approximately 8,000 in-custody students since 2011.
Riverside City College (RCC)
Established in 2021, Rising Scholars is the community college equivalent of Project Rebound. It offers supportive services to currently and formerly detained youth aged 16–26. The Rising Scholars Program at RCC focuses on providing students with matriculation services, ongoing academic counseling with clear guidance on certificate or degree completion, support for transferring to a four-year university, and skill development that leads to living-wage careers. This program is part of a larger system-wide Rising Scholars network within the California Community Colleges.
Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)
In 2023, Project Rebound expanded its partnership to include the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), a vital organization dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system, with a special emphasis on Transitional Age Youth (TAY), who are typically between the ages of 16 and 24. ARC's comprehensive support services for TAY youth are designed to reduce recidivism and foster successful reintegration into society. This includes mentorship, educational opportunities, employment training, and advocacy for systemic change. Through these efforts, ARC aims to empower TAY individuals to build healthy, productive lives while also advocating for policies that support their growth and reduce the likelihood of returning to incarceration.
Empowering Youth Through Education and Mentorship
Our Impact Journey
Over the past two years, Project Rebound has focused on improving its outreach to currently and formerly incarcerated youth. This initiative includes developing and implementing innovative curricula aimed at promoting restorative justice. These programs are uniquely shaped by the lived experiences of Project Rebound students, who play a vital role in empowering and inspiring their peers.
Restorative Learning: Creating Opportunities Through Lived Experience
Since the spring of 2022, Project Rebound, in partnership with the Prison Education Project, has been offering seven-week courses in juvenile facilities every spring and fall semester. These courses are designed to engage and educate, covering a diverse range of topics aimed at empowering youth in juvenile detention. Through this collaboration, we have effectively trained facilitators to deliver high-quality educational experiences that resonate with and inspire our young participants.
Beyond the Classroom: Sustained Support and Guidance for Youth Success
Building on this foundation, Project Rebound's credible messengers have actively tutored both incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth. This mentorship is a vital extension of our educational initiatives, offering personalized support and guidance that enhances the learning and rehabilitation journey of these young individuals. Along with PEP, RCC, and ARC, Project Rebound students and facilitators from CSUSB play a key role in teaching classes, tutoring youth, and providing educational workshops. Their efforts significantly contribute to empowering and educating opportunity youth within the community.