Reentry Sisters Educational Initiative

My life was not unlike many others who have endured deep tragedy and trauma. With no one to turn to growing up, and believing the world had forgotten about me, I turned to alcohol and other substances for decades. That cycle led to years in and out of jail and rehab before I ultimately served more than two years in prison. Prison was never the solution to my struggles, but it forced me to stop running long enough to recognize I was ready for change. At 38, I began to rebuild myself. What made the difference wasn’t the system itself, but the people on the outside who cared. Their support helped uncover a voice in me that had been buried for years. Wanting other women to feel that same hope, I became a bridge for the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and the Reentry Sisters, bringing messages of compassion, resources, and knowledge into the facility. When I saw women taking college classes, I knew I wanted that chance too. It wasn’t easy to get in; navigating the internal politics of the prison meant I had to persist until I was finally accepted. Once enrolled, I eventually began working in the prison’s education department as a tutor, discovering strengths I never knew I had. Now, as I reenter the community with a clear mind, I am committed to continuing my education and challenging the invisible walls of stigma faced by justice-impacted individuals. My journey has taught me that transformation is possible when people are given real support, and I intend to be part of creating that support for others.

I have been a person in Recovery for 8 years. I have written about my story in my memoir called ‘Savaged to Wellness” in which I wrote detailed life events that altered my path. I have written three books all together, my second book “Walking the recovery road: the steps taken” is mostly a self-help guidebook for people that might be interested in recovery. The third book I wrote is a children’s book titled “Buster and the little fairies” which is about a boy and his new therapy dog.

Since I gave been released from Windham Department of Corrections in July 2018, I have worked very hard to better my life. I have started multiple Wellbriety (12-step meetings) in Ellsworth, Indian Island, Brewer, Bangor, Millinocket and department of corrections in Windham where I volunteer 3 meetings a month for the residents.

I have been able to pay some debt off and work on my credit score, I have since become a homeowner in 2021 and have maintained my home as a single person. I have been doing community service since 2018 and I don’t see that changing anytime soon as it is part of my recovery process. I have been working as a recovery support/recovery coach/outreach coordinator now for four years for a native American public health organization. I do work full time helping people in my community get services, transportation to meetings, and support in home. 

I am also currently a student at EMCC for human services, I am studying to received associate degree/CADC. I also attend one class each week at Colby College because I am involved with Reentry Sisters’ cohort, a culvert of previously incarcerated women whom do great things in their community. 

I am a domestic abuse survivor, and I am currently volunteering for Finding Our Voices. I have never wanted to be a felon; I have not got in to trouble with the law when I was clean/sober. In my criminal record I was either drinking or under the influence of substances. This is why I chose to not do substance today; I value my life. I would love to have the felony removed from my record.

Tori is a formerly incarcerated Scholar with her interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in Justice Studies and Transformative Systems Change. Post-release she works part-time as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator with The Educational Justice Institute at MIT; with the USM Opportunity Scholars in partnership with CEPP; and continues her passion for education, advocacy, and community building in the field. 

My story is one of rebuilding, healing, and choosing hope even when the path was unclear. I am a woman in long-term recovery, a mother and formerly incarcerated serving 5years in a federal prison. Addiction once shaped my life in ways that pulled me far from the person I wanted to be. My reentry journey was not simple or smooth—there were moments of doubt, fear, and obstacles that felt impossible. But step by step, with support, community, and deep commitment to my family, I rebuilt everything I

thought I had lost. I don’t hide from my past; I use it. My experiences with incarceration, recovery, and reentry have become the foundation of my purpose. Today, I am a mother, an advocate, a student, and a community leader working to make sure that families like mine are seen, valued, and supported—not judged or overlooked. My work with Maine Families, Maine Equal Justice, and the Maine State Parent Ambassador Program has shown me how powerful lived experience truly is. When people who have walked through hardship sit at the table, they bring truth, compassion, and solutions that systems alone cannot create. I show up to ensure that parents facing substance use, child welfare involvement, housing instability, or the criminal legal system know they are not alone—and that their voices matter. My journey is not only about surviving—it’s about transformation. It is proof that recovery is real, that families can heal, and that second chances build stronger, healthier communities. Every day, I strive to turn my past into purpose, using my story to lift others up and open doors that once felt locked.