Do You Have Any Mulligans to Offer?

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

December 15, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

My grandfather always wanted me to learn the game of golf.  As an avid golfer and owner of a cigar factory, he believed most business was conducted on the course. I didn’t take to the links too well, mainly because of its interesting language - Birdie, Bogey, Eagle, and Mulligan, to name a few.  Their definitions aren’t apparent at first glance.    However, I do enjoy the explanation of ‘Mulligan’ - simply put, it’s a ‘do-over’! Mulligans are a fun element offered at the Chamber’s Pepper Open. For a small fee, we allow players another shot from the tee when the first one wasn’t too successful.  It’s a popular item for obvious reasons!

How nice would it be if the real game of life had Mulligans  Whenever something was said or done that didn’t go as well as expected, we could use a mulligan for a ‘do-over’.  All would be forgotten and forgiven.  This wishful-thinking thought came to me during a recent meeting of the New Freedom  Reentry Council.  This council brings together law enforcement, Culpeper Human Services, Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services, the Culpeper Career Resource Center, Child Support Enforcement, various nonprofits and faith-based groups, the business community, along with probation offices and others to coordinate pre- and post-release services, with the previously-incarcerated person and the correctional center/jail.  Together, they work to identify re-entry barriers and develop methods to address them; improve collaboration and coordination of re-entry transition services; establish partnerships to promote jobs; promote re-entry strategies for juveniles and adults; and participate in the development of the state reentry strategic plan.    

The challenges presented to re-entrants  are numerous.  Upon release they may find

themselves homeless, unemployed, lacking sufficient transportation, and involved in

strained family relationships.  Without adequate safety nets in place, they often repeat bad behaviors and find themselves back behind bars.  This becomes a financial and societal burden on our community. As an organization that works to ensure a healthy environment for economic development, the chamber of commerce appreciates our seat at this table.  We are working to connect the dots between recidivism, its prevention through adequate safety nets, and businesses willing to offer mulligans to ex-offenders reentering their community.  This multi-faceted issue deserves candid and open conversation.  We’re listening - what do you have to say?  Do you have any mulligans to offer?