John Baccala/Key photo Program coordinator Rita Flynn prepares to cut the ribbon at the new offices of "TurnAround," along with supporter Bill Dunn Sr. and Bishop Robert W. Finn.

"I have always believed people can change and I still believe they can," she said emphatically.

Now, thanks to generous benefactors, she has even greater resources to turn those words into action.

Flynn is the coordinator of TurnAround, a program of Catholic Charities that assists people in prison or on parole with their reintegration into society. After working in a small office at Redemptorist (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) Parish, TurnAround moved into a new, larger office at 31st and Main streets. With about 100 benefactors, well-wishers and clients on hand, Bishop Robert W. Finn blessed the new facility and participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 27.

For Flynn, the new office is much-appreciated and much-needed. "We do emergency assistance in case management for men and women coming out of prison and I see about 300 people a month," she said. "We also go to the five prisons in Northwest Missouri and talk about re-entry and resources to help people prepare to get out."

"A lot of times, they just come out in their prison grays, they don't have clothes, they don't have hygiene (items), they don't have state IDs. They need a birth certificate to get their state IDs. They need that to get a job, to get a bank account, so we help them with that."

David is one of the 300 clients Flynn sees every month. He makes lawnmower blades, was given a raise three weeks after he was hired, and he was just offered a promotion.

David spent 25 years in prison. He said Flynn "accepts" people; she makes a "connection on a human level." He could have never gotten this far without her.

"I can sum it up by saying, the difference the program has made is the difference between success and failure," David said.

He begins to choke up just talking about Flynn and the help he has received through the TurnAround program. He said he was grateful for the emergency assistance items like clothing and bus passes, but what Flynn provided in the case management class is what he needed the most.

"What she does is provide us the ability to believe in ourselves and to live with our mistakes without beating ourselves up like most of us are prone to do," David said, fighting back tears. "She offers us support and encourages us and helps us realize, we're going to make mistakes, and when we do, she'll be here to help us.

"That's what she's meant, the difference between succeeding and failing, the difference between giving up on myself and believing in myself."

Suzanne, from Smithville, is another of Flynn's clients. "If it hadn't been for Rita, I would have been back in," she said. "I think a whole lot of her."

So does Bill Dunn. Flynn said the construction magnate is the reason TurnAround has its new office. Dunn simply called it "an opportunity to put a program into place."

"I don't get enthused with building prisons," Dunn said. "It's a great opportunity to do something meaningful. I think there are some great opportunities to save a lot of lives and give a lot of people hope."

Calling it a "missionary assignment," Dunn said under Flynn's direction, "so many can be turned around."

If it is a missionary assignment, then the numbers show Flynn and the three other people working in the TurnAround office have a lot of souls to save.

"There are over 33,000 in prisons right now in Missouri," Flynn said, "and 97 percent of them will be coming back to their communities at some point. So it just makes a lot of sense that we help them, give them jobs, help them get started.

"We need more and more people to advocate, to support, to pray for these people, to break down the barriers for employment and housing, because reentry is one of the most important times in their lives. If they can get a good start right away, that will help them make right choices."

TurnAround provides a variety of services. Recently released men and women get clothing, food and housing assistance, employment and educational opportunities, even limited financial assistance. Flynn said her clients "are very grateful, very appreciative" for the help.

Flynn gladly gives tours of her new office, including the donation room, where clothing, household items and personal hygiene items are always welcome. TurnAround is her passion; helping people like David reenter society is her priority.

"They're ready to give back and do whatever they can to be productive citizens," she said.

David couldn't agree more.

"All you need is someone like Rita to believe in you."

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