Returning Citizens to Their Communities
About Us
Our Mission
Why We Serve
In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 80,000 men and women behind bars. Over 95% of these people will be released back into our communities. Our heart and focus is to help those who are re-entering our communities. As said by Chuck Colson, the founder of prison fellowship, “The road home is possibly the most difficult journey an ex-prisoner will face.”
As statistics have clearly shown, this journey is slow and arduous. Seven out of 10 individuals who are released will return to prison within 3 years. This is the tragic reality we are trying to change. Helping men and women break this cycle of recidivism is our calling and it is no easy task.
Of those released from incarceration, 65% have a history of substance abuse In addition, more than 30% have physical or mental disabilities that make the journey even more difficult. Many leave incarceration with little or no support.
Who We Serve
We are targeting the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Mifflin, Huntington, Blair, and Cambria to provide services as we are able.
Our Staff
Mark Frailey
Founder and Executive Director
Go Reentry Specialists
Qualifications:
- Expert by experience
- Passion and calling to help those formerly incarcerated
- Experience as police officer, chief of police, DOC employee, work in re-entry Keystone Correctional Services
- Education: BA Pastoral Ministries, AA Degree Criminal Justice, Department of Corrections Training Academy, Re-entry Employment Specialist
- Pennsylvania Prison Society Official Visitor and Co-Convener
- Centre County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, CJAB
- Centre County Re-Entry Coalition
- Pennsylvania Re-Entry Council, PARC
- PARC subcommittee co-chair Restorative Justice
- Formerly incarcerated, 16 years successful after incarceration
- His Workmanship/Handyman business – hire mostly formerly incarcerated individuals
Shawna Miller
Go Reentry Specialist
Shawna has been a part of Go ReEntry for 2 years but was hired officially in January as a Case Manager. Shawna’s sober date is August 24, 2020. She joined Access Church in 2020 and was baptized in 2021. She has 2 children and a fiance. She regularly hosts meetings and is a sponsor for other women. Shawna is a former cosmetologist.
Angela Twoey
Go Reentry Specialist
My name is Angela Twoey and I am a retired high school teacher. I am currently a Case Manager as well as an Administrative Assistant to Mark Frailey of Go ReEntry specialists. My Alma Maters are Penn State and Indiana University of PA.
Lisa Kessler-peters
Board President
Lisa Kessler-Peters- is a wife, mother of 3, and spiritual mother to many. Lisa is an ordained minister, advocate, speaker, and author of “Why I Tried to Die, a story of Trauma, Resilience, and Restoration”. She has her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and her Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis.
Read moreShe also is a certified recovery specialist, trained as a mentor and in trauma informed practices. Her work includes homeless assistance, re-entry, recovery, restorative justice and educating on and healing trauma. Lisa is not impressed by her degrees or accomplishments and believes her greatest asset is her experience. Her entire mission is to empower others to know that they can have the same freedom she has received. She is bold and courageous, and never wants to forget where she came from and what she has been through. She believes that nothing happens in vain, and that all things can be used for our good and the good of others..not |
Ron Baker
Board Vice President
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Ron has extensive experience in computer technology, counseling, and pastoral ministry. He has worked in IT departments and has even worked as an analyst for the CIA. He also has business experience as an accountant. Recently, he has devoted his life to pastoral ministry. He is highly qualified to work with our board in business, finance, and pastoral and counseling ministry. We are honored to have
MDiv Moravian Theological Seminary MBA Capital University BS Business Administration and Economics Clergy Experience (Current)Good Shepherd Tyrone/Warriors Mark Charge July 1, 2021 to present Work ExperienceSystems analyst – Optimo Information Technology LLC Business Analyst SunGard EXP President and CEO Night Sky Innovations, LLC Many more positions and places of management |
Irene Korn
Board Treasurer
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Irene Korn is the church administrator at Faith Alive Fellowship. She is gifted in administrative duties. Her daughter was recently incarcerated and participated in ReEntry Strategies while in CCCF. Faith Alive Fellowship has committed to supporting Go
ReEnrtry at $300 per month in 2024. Personally, I think it is great to have someone from that church represented on the board. She is willing to be our Board Secretary.
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We hardly
Board Treasurer
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Julie holds a Bachelor's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Penn State and a Master's in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University. She also holds senior professional certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and is the
designated instructor for a SHRM prep course through Penn State. Julie is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Centre County and has served on local boards both as a member and as a human resources advisor. She is a member of SHRM and served on the local board for six years, holding the offices of law conference chair, president-elect, president and past president. Julie Hartley’s career in the human resources field has spanned manufacturing, education, transportation, and healthcare industries in both union and non-unionized environments, and from a single site operation to a global corporate structure. Her most recent position was director of human resources at a continuing care retirement community for nearly ten years. She has also been employed as a part-time adjunct faculty member for Penn State's School of Labor and Employment Relations since 2017. Currently, Julie and her husband operate their own real estate investment business.
Julie holds a Bachelor's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Penn State and a Master's in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University. She also holds senior professional certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and is the designated instructor for a SHRM prep course through Penn State. Julie is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Centre County and has served on local boards both as a member and as a human resources advisor. She is a member of SHRM and served on the local board for six years, holding the offices of law conference chair, president-elect, president and past president.
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Bradley Bathgate
Board Member
Bradley is the President and Principal at PWI Engineering. He resides in State College. His Alma Maters include Penn State University and Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
Amy Berry
Board Member
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Following a years' long battle with addiction, I was on the brink of giving up. I felt trapped, defeated and worthless. Out of desperation I went back to detox in November of 2013 and for the next 6 months, living on my friend's couch, I put one foot in front of the other, took a lot of suggestions, and
What I found in sober living was structure, community, accountability, support, safety and the dignity that comes from doing the right thing and taking care of myself and my surroundings, and being part of something larger than myself. After living at A Fresh Start for about 9 months I was offered the opportunity to become a house manager. Officially, house managers are responsible for administering supervised drug and breathalyzer tests, making sure residents are home on time, holding residents accountable for attending 12-step meetings, therapy appointments, and/or aftercare programs if prescribed, that residents are completing daily house chores and overall ensuring the house is clean and organized. Unofficially, house managers also serve as examples, counselors, coaches and friends. In that role I was able to stand in the gap for women and cheer them on. For someone who hated herself, getting to the point where I could be of service to other women in that way was amazing.
I managed at A Fresh Start from September 2015 until March 2020, nearly 100 women passing through the 12-bed home I oversaw in that time, and I had the incredibly humbling opportunity to play a small role in their lives and recovery journeys. I watched women achieve amazing victories – families brought back together, career goals achieved, women going back to school for GEDs to Masters degrees, and most importantly, finding their own value and potential. Without question, managing at A Fresh Start was the most meaningful thing I have done in my life.
Today, I work as an Intake Coordinator for A Fresh Start. In this role I continue my involvement with the sober living that saved my life and gave me the opportunity to help save others. I passionately believe sober living and similar structured, community living organizations are invaluable to populations so often left behind and forgotten. I have seen this work for people over and over, myself included, when so many of us were ready to give up. That is why it is so important, why I am so enthusiastic, to do whatever I can to help bring this service to as many people as possible, and wwhy I am so excited to help Go Re-entry come to fruition.
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Terry Davis
Board Member
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President/Founder Keystone Correctional Services, Inc. Retired 2008 as Director Dauphin County Adult Probation. Chief Adult Probation Association of Pennsylvania. Mr. Davis has dedicated
He believes the most important key to an offender’s success is finding them employment.
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Kendra Gettig
Board Member
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Kendra is a Centre County native, growing up in Bellefonte. Her immediate family still lives there -- she’s thrilled that her family, friends and work all allow her to live in the community that she loves
Kendra cares deeply about people who are overlooked, living in the margins of society. Because of her involvement in Out of the Cold: Centre County (an emergency homeless shelter), she regularly sees people struggling as they exit the justice system. Mental health, substance abuse, lack of housing, limited family or other support, and lack of employment make the transition back to the community an incredible challenge! For the past several months, Kendra has been journeying alongside a dear friend as he transitioned out of long-term incarceration back into the community. The journey has been filled with highs and lows, but one thing became clear: as a community and as a church, we have to provide better support to this group of folks.
As a follower of Jesus, she believes that this population matters deeply to Christ and, therefore, they should matter to us. During her free time, Kendra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, drinking coffee and having heart to heart conversations, taking walks, playing board games, and road trips!
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Dave Jordan
Board Member
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B.A. Degree in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Worked as Patrol officer, Criminal Investigator and Drug Investigator for Penn State University Police from 1989 - 2001 Worked as a Narcotics
I have worked in the field of drug investigation for 28 years in undercover investigations, task force coordinator and narcotics agent supervisor
Currently work as the Supervisor of Inspections for ordinance, housing and restaurant regulations for the Borough of State College
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Mark Jordan
Board Member
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Mark joins our board with a background ranging from pastoral ministry to nursing care. He is currently an RN working at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. He has been a youth pastor, a private school principal, a hotel manager with the Sheridan Corporation, a volunteer EMT, and a chaplain. For the last 15 years as a Registered Nurse, Mark has experience in the
Mark is most proud of his family. He and his wife have five children and ten grandchildren. He loves spending time with them. |
Shannon Pasch-Fleck
Board Member
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Shannon’s life journey began in South Dakota where she was born on Ellsworth Air Force base to her two wonderful parents. She then moved eight times in 18 years and has been grateful to
Shannon works solely with mental health clients. Shannon is also the Director of Clinical services at St. Joseph Institute. She has her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is a certified trauma specialist, and is also a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) in Pennsylvania. Shannon currently lives in Blair County with her husband and four fur babies. “I have a passion for working with individuals who have substance abuse issues and for those who have been incarcerated. I work daily to help others believe in themselves and know that they have a special purpose and light to bring to the world.” |
Michelle Shippert
Board Member
Michelle was born and raised a "Yinzer" in the South Hills of Pittsburgh but matured in the Arizona sun. She has a drive to study hard and offer a voice in leadership.Read moreMichelle graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Chemistry and was even president of the Chemistry club. Medicine is her calling which began with her doctorate from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 and went on as Chief Resident elect at UMPC St. Margaret.Treating the whole person lead her into Family Medicine as well as Obesity Medicine. Michelle runs a private practice out of Oasis LifeCare here in State College since her family planted roots in 2016. As an advocate for her patients with food insecurity, she was asked to be a Keynote Speaker for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Summit of 2019 sharing on the Pediatric obesity epidemic. She gives elective talks on health and medicine at the local church. Her husband served as a physician in the Navy giving Michelle a hands-on appreciation for the service that veterans provide and she has been giving back to this population. With a heart for service, she became a board member of the Veterans Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited as well as a Mentor in the Veteran Treatment Track Initiative here in Central PA. She loves the Lord and has appreciated her time on the EmpowHer Womens Ministry Team of Access Church. Michelle has been cheering on Mark Frailey and GoReEntry from its inception and is pleased to accept a position on their Board. >In her spare time, Michelle tries to stay active with healthy cooking and loving on her family by running a busy house! She has two wonderful boys and supports them at athletic competitions. Her husband dreamt of a family farm and they raise Yak and sheep on their Farm Gone Wild. |
Curt Spalsburyi
Board Member
I am originally from Pittsburgh and moved to State College in 1980 to attend The Pennsylvania State University. While attending PSU I took a part time job with Domino’s Pizza as a delivery driver in January 1984. I have held every position in the Domino’s system, Driver, Pizza Maker, Assistant Manager, General Manager, Supervisor, and Director on Operation for 11 location
Read morein two different states. I have now been in the Domino’s Pizza system for 36 years.Currently I am a Franchisee with three locations in central Pennsylvania. I have been married for almost 30 years to my lovely wife Lisa. We have work together at Domino’s since 1985. We have one son Tyler who graduated from Penn State in 2016, he is a school teacher at Grace Prep High School and also works part time with us at Domino’s. Truly a family business. |
Jonathan Srock
Board Member
Rev. Jonathan Srock is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for 10 years. He received two Bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Languages and Pastoral Ministries, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He was privileged to be the Lead Pastor of New Life Assembly in Shillington, PA for four years before
Read moresuffering sudden paralysis. Jonathan has been a Christian for about 30 years.His passion is to help imprint the character of Christ through teaching and preaching God’s Word. Rev. Jonathan is part of the PennDel Ministry Network. He is a quadriplegic and lives in Central PA with his parents. He enjoys preaching in local churches, writing books, blogging, and answering questions about God and the Bible. He also enjoys reading, watching sports, and geeking out over computers in his “spare” time. You can visit his blog, Divine Discourse at Jonathansrock.com and his ministry website for sermons, Bible studies, devotionals, and other ministries at Solid Rock Ministries |
John Thomas
Board Member
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Father of nine (adopted five), many grandchildren, seventh grandchild born last week. John graduated with a B.A. from Temple University and a Master's in Psychology from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. 25 years with the DOC, 10 as a Superintendent, 5 plus as a Deputy, first
Currently on staff with “Every Man a Warrior,” Trans World Radio as the National/international Director of Prison Ministry Development. Our men’s discipleship program is in five state correctional institutions in PA, pending in Clearfield County Jail, pending in an institution in GA, and several other states throughout the country. Our team of six continues to grow and recruit men willing to take discipleship beyond the walls.
In addition to USA, I am working closely with two pastors in Kenya whom are allowed to begin EMAW in their prison system.
As a leadership development discipleship program, our vision is also for men to disciple men in their communities upon release.
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Brandi Weaver-Gates
Board Member
Brandi has been a Centre County for as long as she's lived. She has always loved being active in the community. After getting herself into a tough spot, Brandi was arrested in 2015. She spent a full
Read morecalendar year at Centre County Correctional Facility, just over a month at Muncy State Prison, and six months at Quehanna Boot Camp consecutively. She has been home for three years now and thriving. Brandi attributes her new life to God, her corrections officers, and her family and community. Brandi has been working for Calvary Church since 2017 as an outreach and guest experience team member, and has added in mentoring, coaching, and wedding coordinating over time. She loves being a part of the Calvary family."When I was first asked to jump on board with Go Reentry Specialists, I doubted that I had anything to bring to the table because my reentry was so easy. Then I realized it was so easy because of my family and community. I would love to share my passion for communities wrapping around the marginalized and showing what a difference it can make." |
Brandi Weaver-Gates
Board Member
| Dr. Ashely Yinger, PhD is an Assistant Professor at PSU in the Criminology Department. She has worked full time in the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. She has vast experience in criminal justice areas, including re-entry. This past semester she invited me to speak in two of her criminal justice classes. |