Coming Home Graduation Lunch and Ceremony

Sunday June 7, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room
All are invited!

Join us in celebration of our Coming Home graduates! These students, formerly incarcerated, are completing an 18-week term of study, mentoring, workshops, and more – all toward their goal of a bright present and future in their return to civilian life. Even if you haven’t previously been involved in Coming Home, the presence of church members is essential for this event. You provide encouragement, support, and a vote of confidence just by being there. Not only will diplomas and awards be given, but each participant will be sharing a few words about what the Coming Home experience has meant to them, and each mentor will then impart a personalized blessing in kind.

RSVP to Douglas Carey so that we know how many plates and chairs to prepare. If you are interested in donating a tray of food items for the graduation reception, please indicate it in your email. Thank you for your generosity, and thank you for supporting the achievements and mission of Coming Home!

Guest Speaker Sean Pica
President, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison
Vice President, New Beginnings Transitional Housing
Visit hudsonlink.org to learn more.

Sean Pica is the President of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison and Vice President of New Beginnings Transitional Housing, a not-for-profit organization that provides college education, life skills and re-entry support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women to help them make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities.

Mr. Pica has presided over Hudson Link’s growth in size and scope. Since taking over leadership of the organization in 2007, it has grown from 60 students attending Mercy College at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, to more than 580 students attending college prep, and college programs in 5 New York State Correctional Facilities. Partnering with Columbia University; Columbia Greene, Mercy University, Mount Saint Mary, SUNY Ulster, Hudson Link has awarded over 2000 college degrees. In addition, Hudson Link is now actively involved in the very important work of providing re-entry support, including transitional housing, to its more than 3000 released alumni to help them successfully transition back into their families and communities. Before joining Hudson Link, Mr. Pica served on its Board of Directors.

Mr. Pica serves on the Governors New York State Council on Community Re-Entry and Reintegration, is a founding Board Member and serves as the Advisory Board Chair for the national Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, and serves on the Board of Directors for the New York State Consortium for Higher Education in Prison, and the Sing Sing Prison Museum Project.