When Giovanni Sairras walked out of a Florida prison after serving 17 years of a 20-year sentence, he knew reentry was about more than just survival — it was about dignity. That vision led him to found Re-Entry One Inc., a grassroots nonprofit helping returning citizens rebuild their lives, in 2020.
Last week, the organization hosted “Pathways to Progress: Conversations for Change,” a community-driven forum advancing reentry, justice reform and second chances. Its centerpiece was a robust panel discussion that brought together lawmakers, grassroots leaders and returning citizens for a candid dialogue on obstacles and solutions.
“There’s no community without unity,” said Sairras, executive director of Re-Entry One. “Everyone has to come to the table. We’re all stakeholders. These returning citizens and reentry is just not a single issue. It affects the entire community.”
A movement
Re-entry One began as a mobile pantry delivering food to returning citizens. It has since grown into a staffed nonprofit providing what Sairras calls “real solutions” for marginalized communities across South Florida.
In 2024, it served 259 participants and reached nearly 1,800 people through outreach. Initiatives connected 13 individuals to housing, 145 to health care, and distributed 65 reentry support packages through the JIST CARE Program. It also achieved a 100% graduation rate through Project R.I.S.E., a 12-week in-prison curriculum, and its inclusive entrepreneurship program…