Simplified: A Sioux Falls nonprofit focused on the transformational power of investing in leadership is paying special attention to people who've been impacted by the justice system. Here's what you need to know about Bridging the Gap.
Why it matters
- Bridging the Gap is the nonprofit arm of Think 3D, a Sioux Falls-based company focused on helping build workplace and community culture. The nonprofit also leads the Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program, a 12-week program designed to help people become better leaders.
- LOT graduated its first cohort in 2018, and since then more than 800 people have participated in the program. Additionally, in 2021, the program added a justice-impacted cohort, specifically focused on people who've been incarcerated or anyone who's been directly impacted by the justice system (workers, family, etc.).
- The program has early proof of its effectiveness, too. Typically, people leaving incarceration will commit another crime 70% of the time. For those who participated in Leaders of Tomorrow, the recidivism rate is below 30%.
"The idea that we're going to change our community culture to be more inclusive, to be more inspiring and motivating to be the best version of ourselves shouldn't stop in the streets of Sioux Falls," said Manny Gutierrez, Sr., Director of Community Engagement for Think 3D. "Because those guys on the hill are eventually going to be a part of our community. Everyone talks about justice reform, but (LOT) is doing the thing."
Tell me more about the program
The 16-week program is focused on changing the way inmates and other justice-impacted folks talk about themselves, Gutierrez said.
- Part of that involves addressing generational trauma and learning skills to self-regulate, communicate, lead and more.
The justice-impacted LOT program also has a "Behind the Walls" cohort specifically for people who are currently incarcerated.
Data from Bridging the Gap's Executive Director Dawn Marie Johnson shows that the Behind the Walls cohort in particular rates their average readiness to reenter society and the workforce at 9.6 out of 10.
- Both the justice-impacted and the Behind the Walls cohort have gotten the endorsement of Mayor Paul TenHaken, Police Chief Jon Thum and Minnehaha County States Attorney Dan Haggar.
How can I help?
Bridging the Gap relies on community donations to support its justice-impacted programming.
- The program also includes meals and transportation for participants, and you can donate specifically to sponsor a meal or sponsor a participant in the program. Learn more here.
