The STAR Program Helps WSP Offenders Apply for College and Jobs

Sally Kearsley, President of the STAR Program's board
Several Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) offenders are obtaining jobs and working towards successful re-entries to society, thanks to Sally Kearsley, a volunteer for the Successful Transition and Re-entry (STAR) Project.
Kearsley is a retired educator who has been involved in the STAR Project since it began at WSP in 2005. She also serves as president of STAR’s board. She and her partner, Chris Young, assist offenders in the minimum and medium units build job resumes and fill out college applications. Kearsley estimates 250-300 resumes have been completed through the program to date.
“Kearsley was one of the founding board members of the STAR Project and has put a lot of work into the program,” said Executive Director Janet Narum. “She is at WSP nearly every afternoon, meeting with offenders and preparing them to go home—I don’t know what we would do without her volunteerism.”
Currently, Kearsley and Young are assisting 40 WSP offenders prepare for release. Several are interested in attending college once released—most are interested in 2-year degree programs and certificates—and are in need of financial assistance. Kearsley and other STAR mentors help the offenders fill out Federal Student Aid Forms (FAFSA) and are available to answer their questions.
Since offenders often are overwhelmed once released from prison, STAR mentors also aid them with every day activities such as: applying for food stamps, obtaining library and identification cards, transportation to Department of Social and Health Services offices and even grocery shopping.
The STAR mentors’ assistance in school and job applications and help with every-day-activities helps prevent joblessness as well as homelessness.
“My work with the STAR Program over the years has been very heartening,” said Kearsley.