Speaker Chris Doege

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$431
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient Type
Libraries
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2015
End Date
January 2015
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Brown
Brown
Project Overview
Chris Doege, Adult Re-Entry Manager for Amicus, presented “Incarceration to Freedom: Helping Offenders Transition Back to the Community” as part of the Life Living Series in New Ulm. Doege’s 45-minute presentation focused on Amicus’s history in Minnesota communities, the culture and challenges facing many offenders re-entering society, and the impact of Amicus and these offenders on the lives of Minnesotans. Two videos were shown, and there was a Q&A session after the formal presentation. To help promote the Life Living Series, the library created a display of materials featuring the topics being addressed by the speakers of the Life Living Series. The display included nonfiction materials, including memoirs, related to incarceration and re-entry to society.
Project Details
35
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2013 Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 4
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$431
Other Funds Leveraged
$430
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Written surveys were distributed to all attendees at the program. It was expected that a majority of
respondents would:
• learn something about Amicus.
• gain a greater understanding of the challenges offenders face when re-entering society.
• gain a greater understanding of the culture in which many ex-offenders live.
• indicate they would share a positive review of the program with others.

In addition, library staff would observe a majority of attendees actively engaged in the program by listening attentively and asking questions. Anecdotal responses from attendees would confirm their enjoyment of the program.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Written surveys were given to those attending the program. See attached compilation of these written
evaluations. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to this program. Based on the 17 people who submitted evaluations (49 percent return rate), all indicated they learned something about Amicus, gained
a greater understanding of the challengers offenders face when transitioning back to the community, and gained
a greater understanding of the culture in which many ex-offenders live. All respondents indicated they would
share a positive review of the program.

Although attendance was lower than expected, those in attendance appeared engaged during the presentation.
Chris Doege’s informal approach helped generate questions, and several audience members stayed after the program to talk further with Chris. From this library’s perspective, this was an excellent program to offer the community. Doege excelled at explaining the statistics associated with incarcerated people in our state and describing the culture of many of those who are incarcerated.

Anecdotal responses included: “Very informative.” and “Very good – would like another discussion on this
topic in more detail.”

Source of Additional Funds

New Ulm Public Library, o United Way of the Brown County Area – program development, publicity
o New Ulm Community Education – program development, in-kind donation of auditorium space and technical staff, publicity
o Local businesses and media outlets –

Project Manager
First Name
Dayle
Last Name
Zelenka
Organization Name
Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative
Street Address
1400 Madison Avenue, Suite 622
City
Mankato
State
MN
Zip Code
56002-5488
Phone
507-625-6169
Email
dzelen@tds.lib.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200