For the past three months, Leaf Seligman and Monadnock Restorative Community assisted incarcerated women with their reintroduction into society.
Seligman, a Jaffrey resident, will be speaking about Monadnock Restorative Community and breaking down barriers in the community as a guest speaker at the Peterborough Woman’s Club January meeting on Wednesday.
“It’s all a part of the bigger picture,” said Seligman. “We are trying to shift the questions. How can we support these people? How can we get people to think about and dismantle barriers?”
The meeting will take place in Bass Hall at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture. Doors open at 5 p.m. for refreshments, with Seligman’s speech to begin at 5:30. Admission is free. The meeting is co-hosted by Monadnock Community Hospital’s Be The Change Behavioral Health Task Force.
Seligman’s recent work with Monadnock Restorative Community – the nonprofit organization she recently helped co-found – is certainly geared toward breaking down barriers, as the nonprofit focuses on helping recently released women reintegrate with society.
Monadnock Restorative Community is currently helping nine recently released women, matching eight of them up with recovery coaches (it was determined the ninth didn’t need one). The goal is to help give these women a second chance at life by partnering them up with local businesses for job mentoring and eventually housing opportunities.
“We still have a goal to open up a restorative house,” said Seligman. “We are working with people who will need safe, affordable, drug-free housing.”
Seligman said she will soon have a conversation with Keene Housing, something that could open up a few opportunities for the women Seligman is working with.
“Without housing options available, it will be hard to address the opiate crisis,” said Seligman. “To be in recovery, people need safe spaces. Many women that I have talked to have said that housing is the biggest obstacle.”
Seligman said discussions are also being had with the Cheshire County Drug Court, who has requested that Monadnock Restorative Community provide recovery courses.
“I feel like we have some momentum right now,” said Seligman. “I feel we can help as many as 20 people right now.”
Part of the reason why Monadnock Restorative Community is able to help 20 women is due to a recent donation from 100+ Women Who Care Cheshire County, which totaled more than $7,750.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.