MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium, a federally grant funded program under the Michigan Center for Rural Health, will facilitate a “Community Reentry Simulation” event in Marquette County on May 21.

The goal of this simulation is for participants to gain understanding of the significant obstacles faced by individuals attempting to navigate through various requirements and life situations upon their release from incarceration and returning to new or former communities.

To walk in the shoes of one released from serving their time gives invaluable insight, both for professionals tasked with helping these individuals achieve a successful reentry as well as anyone from the community who wants to better understand this dynamic.

The venue is Marquette-Alger RESA Building at 321 E. Ohio St., Marquette. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will include the simulation followed by lunch and a discussion on the evidence-based Sequential Intercept Model.

Volunteers fulfill the role(s) of the ‘people behind the counter’ at the community stations that represent social services, work, shops, transportation, rent, etc. This is the core of what makes up activities of daily living as well as those that are pertinent to the released population.

The Marquette County Health Department is sponsoring this event so there is no cost to attend. However, the simulation is dependent on participants and volunteers committed to being in attendance so those who do sign up are asked to find a fill-in for your seat should you not be able to make it that day. Seating is limited but registration remains open until the maximum seating is reached.

To register, use this QR code. For more information, contact Emily Pratt at the Marquette County Health Department at 906-315-2630 or email epratt@mqtco.org.