Walden University & Bridges Reentry Celebrate Partnership To Provide Scholarships to Women In Their Reentry Journey

Walden University hosted a reception on April 26th at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel Phoenix in recognition of its formal partnership with Bridges Reentry. Walden alumni and students along with Bridges Reentry supporters and clients attended. Remarks by Michael Betz, CEO, and Gay Romack, founder and Executive Director of Bridges Reentry, celebrated Walden’s donation of four full college scholarships, complementary Lifelong Learning certification courses and career guidance and exploration services. Just the beginning of a long term partnership that will provide two full scholarships annually.

With gifts exchanged commemorating their unique partnership, Betz acknowledged the four women pursuing their bachelor’s degrees and Sara Gehrt’s upcoming graduation in July. Romack added “rarely do the missions of such organizations align as they do with ours”. “ We are thrilled about the ongoing partnership and the impact we can make together on deserving women during their courageous reentry journeys”.

About Bridges Reentry

Since 2017, Bridges Reentry, a Maricopa County based 501C-3 non-profit organization, has a mission to provide a reentry environment of healing for formerly incarcerated women to support them in their journey toward physical well-being, emotional and spiritual health, and economic independence. The number of women in Arizona’s prisons has more than doubled since 2000 and has called for increased community focus on reentry. Women participating in Bridges Reentry programs are empowered through our programs, services, and a supportive community, to realize their full potential. Bridges Reentry programs and staff assist these women as they work to reenter society and the challenges they face, including economic instability & joblessness; insecure housing and transportation; maintenance of a substance-free lifestyle; physical, mental, and behavioral health issues; coping and relationship-building skills; and especially the stigma attached to female ex-offenders. This will contribute to healthier women, reconciling with their families and the lowering of the female recidivism rate in Arizona.

Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.