RAWNY to Host Inaugural Reentry Connections Conference Focused on Second Chances

The Reentry Association of Western New York (RAWNY) will host its first-ever Reentry Connections Conference on April 30, bringing together community partners, employers, policymakers and advocates to support successful transitions for formerly incarcerated individuals.

The one-day event, put together by Moxie Creative Studios, will be held at the Golisano Community Engagement Center at Roberts Wesleyan University, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature keynote speeches, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. Topics will include trauma-informed care, employment pathways, housing access, and family reintegration.

RAWNY board president Cathy Buckert called the conference “a call to action” to build a more equitable and safer community through reentry support.

“Reentry isn't just about helping people after prison—it's about strengthening families, reducing crime, and building a more equitable future,” Buckert said.

Among the featured speakers are Thomas Gant, a statewide reentry advocate and mentor, and Tim Dougherty, a business leader who now champions second-chance employment after experiencing incarceration.

The event is part of Reentry Week 2025, which includes additional programming focused on employment, recovery, health and wellness, and housing. The week will also feature the 6th Annual Friends for Hope Breakfast, hosted by Huther Doyle, with former NBA player Chris Herren as the keynote speaker.

Tickets for the conference are now on sale, and sponsorship opportunities are available to support scholarships for formerly incarcerated individuals and students pursuing careers in reentry services.

For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/RAWNYReentryConnections2025.