September 26th 2025 marked the third annual Blossoming Beyond Bars: Women’s Reentry Wellness Conference, an inspiring day dedicated to supporting system-impacted women, particularly those navigating life after incarceration, life in recovery, and life within the family policing system. Hosted with compassion and purpose, the trauma-informed wellness conference brought together system-impacted women with service providers and community partners to foster empowerment, community care, and long-term stability through access to resources. Resource booths and networking sessions connected women with local organizations offering vital resources, including employment readiness, financial literacy, housing support, and mental health support, to name a few.
Keynote speaker Lucinda Cross and panelists Samaris Rose and Tracie Bernardi-Guzman, joined by Babz Rawls Ivy, shared powerful stories of transformation, emphasizing that wellness is not just about survival—it’s about activating your potential and thriving in the best way possible. As said by some participants, some of the biggest takeaways from the wellness conference were “feeling unjudged” and being reminded that “You are human,” rejoicing in the belief: “I’m worth it and deserve the opportunity for greatness.” As shared by one participant, her biggest takeaway was believing: “we all have tremendous value and impact to influence and help others.” In a time of difficulty and uncertainty, Blossoming Beyond Bars provided the women with hope. As one participant shared, “After listening to guest speakers, I was able to learn their advice on how to keep moving forward.”
Blossoming Beyond Bars is grounded in togetherness, and was described by the participants as providing them with a powerful and inspirational community. As Mary Valdovinos expressed, “I feel so much more inspired by the love and empowerment in the room. True, genuine support amongst women is so important.” Another participant described the wellness conference as a “safe space for women to feel welcome, empowered, and blessed to share their story and receive resources.” The atmosphere throughout the day was one of solidarity and hope, demonstrating that when communities open their doors and hearts, everyone flourishes.
Dr. Janet Garvia-Haller, and Babz Rawls Ivy, The Inner-City News
Of note, the wellness conference also included interactive wellness sessions, such as expressive art as well as yoga, meditation, and sound healing. Beyond access to tangible resources and inspirational speakers, the interactive sessions allowed for peace through expressive art and reflection through yoga. Blossoming Beyond Bars was held at The Lab at ConnCorp (Hamden, CT), which helped cultivate a space of holistic wellness. As expressed by Elaine Roper, the VP of Culture and Community Activation at ConnCorp: “Blossoming Beyond Bars was a day of upliftment, exploration, and healing. From the curated speakers to the art therapy session, every detail was rooted in love and intention. The women were given choice, freedom, and fellowship in a safe, welcoming space. Growth comes in many forms, and this event nurtured it beautifully. I consider the women an extension of the ConnCorp family.”
This annual collaborative event is led by community partners: Winning Ways Inc (a nonprofit organization serving system-involved adults and youth), Quality Counseling (a private mental health practice providing trauma therapy to minoritized groups), and JGH Justice Alliance (a research-based and advocacy-focused consulting organization in corrections and reentry programming). Each year, the three community partners gift each conference attendee with at least one purse (or gender-neutral bag) filled with everyday toiletries to help meet immediate personal needs, along with cosmetics chosen to encourage self-care, boost confidence, and affirm a sense of dignity and worth. This gesture is intended to provide practical support but also to serve as a reminder that she deserves to feel valued, beautiful, and empowered in her journey. The Blossoming Beyond Bars visionaries collect in-kind donations year-round, which can be mailed to: Winning Ways Inc, 279 N. Main Street, Branford CT 06405.
As the initiative continues to grow, the visionaries – Dr. Kevin Paulin, Kevnesha Boyd, and Dr. Janet Garcia-Hallett – seek monetary sponsorships to expand the reach of future conferences, to fund wellness programming, and to provide support for women rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Additionally, the book Invisible Mothers: Unseen Yet Hypervisible after Incarceration has set a foundation for this collaborative community event. By placing this research directly in the hands of participants, the visionaries bridge scholarship and community, reinforcing a space where lived experience, research, and empowerment intersect. As such, sponsors play a vital role in sustaining this transformative work—helping to ensure that every woman has the opportunity to blossom beyond her past and build a brighter future.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to get involved in next year’s Blossoming Beyond Bars conference, please contact the Blossoming team at: BlossomingBeyondBars@gmail.com.
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