Community Education Centers (CEC)’s Long Beach Community Correctional Re-Entry Center celebrated a milestone achievement on April 23 with their first annual program graduation ceremony. Under the direction of Dr. Mary Ann Esmieu, M.Ed., Ph.D., CEC Long Beach currently has a success rate of 80% for program graduation. Those selected for graduation have remained clean and sober, discharged parole, reunited with their families and in a few instances, started businesses of their own.
A total of 22 graduates were donned in evergreen caps and gowns and were celebrated in the presence of their family, CEC staff, House Agent Santiago Flores, and representatives from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Special guests included: Jason Johnson, Parole Agent III Supervisor; John Chavez, Parole Agent II; and Cain Vincent Dryer, a representative from the Emerging Leaders program and motivational speaker.
“We are very proud to hold our first annual program graduation that acknowledges successful completion of the reentry program,” said Dr. Esmieu. “The evidence-based reentry treatment programming provided at the facility helps our residents reflect upon their behaviors and offers a platform for change.”
The graduation ceremony was exceptional. Smiles were in abundance as residents, family members, guests and staff took part in the uplifting occasion. Attendees shared in the proud moments that acknowledge hard work and a glimpse of hope for better lives. Residents received engraved CEC graduation rings and were treated to a buffet and sober dance after the ceremony.
The reentry treatment program at Long Beach provides an array of services that include substance abuse treatment, family reunification, targeted CBT interventions, relapse prevention, anger management, life skills, and job development assistance. The goal of the program is to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety by providing a safe and secure environment to promote the opportunity for offenders to successfully reintegrate into the community.
CEC is a leading national provider of rehabilitative services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities, as well as providing comprehensive management of county, state, and federal jail and detention facilities. The Company provides evidence-based programming for residential and non-residential clients and maintains a documented record of reducing recidivism. CEC services also include drug and alcohol testing by SECON, a comprehensive drug testing and screening company that provides services worldwide.
