Learn
Find out more about what we do at New Leaf – New Life.
Mission & Impact
Resources and assistance for our neighbors affected by incarceration
New Leaf, New Life strives to be a part of big change in Bloomington, IN. Through our work inside and outside the jail, we are building a stronger community and offering hope and opportunity to our neighbors affected by the legal system.
Our Mission
New Leaf, New Life supports individuals who are presently or formerly impacted by the legal system.
Our Vision
Transformative justice, collaboration, advocacy and accountability to the recovery community.
75%
Each year, approximately 75% of inmates in the Monroe County Correctional Center benefit from one or more of our services.
See Us in Action
Misty James, assistant director, representing on the behalf of New Leaf New Life at the Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee Meeting (2023).
Source: Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee 9/26/2023. (2023). Community Access Television Services. Retrieved from https://catstv.net/government.php?issearch=banner&webquery=JFAC.
Inside the Jail
Connection to family & preparation for returning to the community
Inside the Monroe County Correctional Center, the staff and volunteers of New Leaf, New Life work with jail officials to run a variety of programs to better the lives of people who are incarcerated.
READ TO ME
The Read to Me program allows individuals that are incarcerated to be recorded reading a book to their children. Once recorded by volunteers, the children of the participants are sent a copy of the book and a recording of their parent reading aloud the book. We’re proud to offer this program in partnership with the Monroe County Public Library.
LIFE SKILLS & RE-ENTRY GROUPS
Our re-entry groups focus on obtaining skills to smoothly transition back into the community, covering topics such as housing, rehabilitation options, and healthy life choices. Participants build Day 1, Week 1, and Month 1 action plans, as well as provide resource suggestions for others.
EDUCATION & EMPLOYABILITY GROUPS
Our groups focus on learning both generally applicable skills, such as analytical thinking, and on specific skill sets, such as computer-based logic. An overarching perspective of the education is to focus on individual goals and examining different pathways to achieve them.
Creative, fun, & developmental opportunities
We support people who are incarcerated by promoting sense of self through fun social events and chances to express themselves.
CREATIVE WRITING GROUPS
Our writing groups discuss poems, often addressing topics like substance abuse or emotional turmoil, and write their own work in response. The work encourages critical thinking, vulnerability, empathy, and a better understanding of their current situation.
POETRY CLASS
Our poetry sessions are facilitated by long-time volunteer, Frank Brown-Cloud. The sharing consists of various styles and writers of poetry, including works by some past participants of the program. This is an outlet which offers space for creativity as well as expressing feelings and emotions.
SELF-CARE GROUPS
Our self-care groups range from sessions to create pillowcases for family/friends to practicing mindfulness, especially as it relates to substance use, anger management, and other challenges. The groups offer opportunities to reflect on living satisfying and meaningful lives.
“You provide a great service and a lot of help to all of us who really need it. Thank you.”
Anonymous feedback
“You guys do amazing things helping all of us out. Without your services most of us would be stuck.”
Anonymous feedback
Outside the Jail
Support with re-entry and cultivating success in the community
Many people are released from jail with nothing but the clothes they were wearing when arrested. We work with clients to reach their goals and achieve a successful transition.
Transition Support Center
People released from incarceration are welcomed at our Transition Support Center (TSC) located at 1010 S. Walnut St., Suite H where we provide short-term & long-term assistance. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
Re-Entry Mentorship Program
The Re-Entry Mentorship Program provides more in-depth peer support to folks recently released from incarceration. With the help of one-on-one support from a Re-Entry Mentor, participants do a needs assessment, build action plans, acquire necessary resources, and receive education on staying sober, crisis intervention, and trigger
“The program is a blessing to me and other women, we come here broken and with low self esteem, New Leaf New Life gives us hope, provides us with things we need like glasses and reading material. I love the program.”
Anonymous feedback
“I’d truly be lost without you and everyone at New Leaf. It really means the world to me.
Thank you.”
Anonymous feedback
Board
Meet our board
Bobby Overman
President
As the Nonprofit Central Specialist at the Monroe County Public Library, Bobby works with nonprofits of all types and sizes. This has given her a special understanding and deep appreciation for the work nonprofits do in our community. Working as the jail librarian, she saw firsthand how programs like NLNL help individuals stay connected to their family and the community as a whole.
JP Rich
Treasurer
Jean-Pat (JP) Rich is in his 34th year at Cummins Inc. and is currently the Executive Director of Digital Strategy and Strategic Initiatives. JP spent the first decade of his career as an engineer before transitioning into business strategy roles after completing his MBA at London Business School. JP has been involved in many community service initiatives over the course of his career, including being a “Big” in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and several education-based efforts.
Donyel Byrd
Member
A long-time community social worker committed to equity, Donyel was named the social worker of the year in 2018 by the National Association of Social Workers, Indiana Chapter. Her current professional work includes teaching as an Associate Faculty with the IU School of Social Work. Previously, Donyel provided supportive services to children and families who had been involved with child protection services, school social work, assisting people in the community with enrollment in health coverage, and advocating for equity in education, health care, and affordable housing.
Kyle Dugger
Member
A deputy public defender in Monroe County since 2016, Kyle studied journalism at IU Bloomington and law at the Maurer School of Law. In 2021, Kyle was awarded the Community Award by Maurer’s Access to Justice Program for his work providing extrajudicial and pro bono services to the Bloomington community. Kyle is committed to continuously pushing for improvement in the criminal justice system and trying to bring progressive reforms to Monroe County.
Nordia McNish
Member
Nordia is an outpatient therapist at Meadows. She was the VP for the board of directors for South Central Indiana Housing Opportunity (SCIHO), a member of the Anti-Oppression Education Committee in the school of social work and a member of the United Methodist Outreach Committee.
Meghan Taylor
Member
Meghan graduated with a Masters in Social Work from IU Bloomington in 2018, and is committed to helping people navigate and challenge complex systems of oppression. She has most recently worked for Shalom Community Center’s Rapid Re-Housing program from 2016-2018, and as a therapist in community mental health from 2018-2022. She currently
works as an individual therapist with Irvington Counseling Collective, a nonprofit income-based sliding-scale therapy practice located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Darrell Inman
Member
Darrell is in his 7th year working as an Engineering Technician for Advanced Automation Corporation
where he works to support the Warfighter by being an integral team member focusing on mobile
surveillance systems for the United States Army. Darrell spent the first two decades of his work career
being Facilities Coordinator at PTS corporation where he reached the status of Green Belt as a Lean-
Sigma Practitioner. For the last 35 years Darrell has been an active member in the Recovery Community
and will celebrate his 36-year recovery anniversary in July of 2024.
Ryan Mader
Member
Ryan Mader is a dedicated board member at New Leaf New Life, bringing invaluable experience and passion to the organization. As a recovering addict who has experienced homelessness and successfully reentered society after serving a lengthy prison sentence, Ryan is committed to prison reform and better treatment programs for mental health and addiction. He is currently pursuing degrees in law and human services while working full-time in drug rehabilitation and engaging in community advocacy. Ryan’s personal journey and professional dedication make him an essential advocate for individuals transitioning from incarceration back into society.
Staff & Volunteers
Meet our team
Stacy Flynn
Executive Director
Stacy Flynn has been with New Leaf New Life since 2019. Throughout this time she has obtained a credential as a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach II, gaining much insight to assist in her current role of overseeing daily operations at the Transition Support Center and the Reentry Mentor Program. Her lived experience has led to her abilities to provide relatable direct service to folks and their family members who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. She enjoys going to concerts, traveling, obscure books and spending time with her cat, Mr. Binx.
Misty James
Assistant Director
Originally from Ellettsville, IN, Misty has lived in Bloomington for the past 22 years. Having battled addiction herself, she understands the complex struggles of such things as substance misuse and houselessness. Today she lives a life centered around helping others seeking support to improve their quality of life. She’s very involved in her local recovery community, assisting women in helping maintain a life without drugs. She has two wonderful children and shares a home with her loving boyfriend and two parakeets, Jane and Charlie.
Claire Steffey
Reentry Mentor & Support Specialist
Claire is New Leaf, New Life’s newest team member, but you may remember her from her time as an intern. Claire received her Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University in 2024 and is soon pursuing a Master of Social Work from Indiana University. Claire has a passion for helping individuals re-enter society successfully and maintain sobriety. Claire’s passion assisted her in being awarded the IUSSW 2024 award for “Commitment to Social Justice and Human Rights.” She enjoys spending time with her dog, Grey.
Kate Burnet
I am honored to be a non-traditional student in the BSW program at IU Bloomington and to complete my practicum at New Leaf New Life. As a massage therapist since 2017, I’ve been amazed by the personal transformations of my clients who have empowered themselves to feel good in their skin. My interest in social work stems from these professional endeavors as I search for new ways to collaborate with clients and help them realize their goals. I’m a strong believer in social justice and believe in the dignity and worth of all people.
Cassie Reader
Hi!! My name is Cassie Reader and I’m a social work student at IUB interning with NLNL for my senior year. I am excited to start my career with this organization! I am very passionate about transforming the criminal justice system, and am looking forward to learning about how I can be an advocate for incarcerated individuals. Post-grad, I hope to apply the skills NLNL has given me and go into public policy, lobbying for juveniles affected by incarceration.
Volunteers
Volunteers play a crucial role in our mission, running enrichment classes in jail’s multipurpose room, and helping assist clients at the Transition Support Center. New Leaf, New Life could not function without its slate of volunteers!
Interested in volunteering with New Leaf, New Life?
History
How we’ve gotten to where we are today
New Leaf, New Life, Inc. was founded by members of Citizens for Effective Justice in early 2005 to address unmet needs of people impacted by the legal system.
Our founding
In 2006, New Leaf, New Life began to find its own way by supporting a Community Forum on Recidivism and entering into an agreement with the Monroe County Correctional Center (MCCC) and Work One to implement a Transition Program, funded by a grant from the Sparkplug Foundation. Since that time, transition mentors and volunteers have helped people who have or are experienced the effects of the legal system. NLNL provides the various social service resources available in Monroe County and secure more support before and after release, offering a wide range of volunteer-driven programs and activities inside the MCCC.
Expansion in the MCCC
Building from a Community Model and with support from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, in 2007 New Leaf began to focus on residential substance abuse treatment in one cell block, called a “Therapeutic Milieu”, or as the residents called it, the Addicts In Recovery (AIR) Block.
A home in the community
In October of 2011, the Perry Township Trustees donated office space to New Leaf, New Life at 1010 South Walnut St. At this location, NLNL has helped thousands of individuals secure clothing, hygiene products, bus tickets, obtain personal documentation and provided referrals to other social service agencies. The Transition Support Center serves as a positive environment where individuals know there’s someone available to support them. We continue to expand services in response to the expressed needs of program participants and allies.
Contact
Get in touch with us
New Leaf, New Life
Transition Support Center
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
