Genesee County Jail IGNITE Program Celebrates New Grads

It's the type of story that makes you really feel good about the incredible work the Genesee County Sheriff's Department is doing.

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Like Sheriff Chris Swanson has said, IGNITE has a major role in changing the lives of those inmates at the Genesee County Jail,  IGNITE was designed for, "Eliminating generational incarceration through education, by restoring value, hope, and purpose to our inmate population", and that's just what it has done for 3 men.

Joe Flynn Walker, 33, Delante T. Darrough, 32, and Dallas Whiting-Popielski, 30 have now joined a group of fellow inmates, to graduate from the IGNITE program and will have a fresh start going from behind bars to new jobs. The three have graduated after learning a new trade and skills to receive their ServSafe food and beverage certificates.

According to Mlive, this was they second graduation for the program and saw Sheriff Chris Swanson along with U.S. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp in attendance The graduation  ceremonies for the men also had a surprise visits from family members as well.

Graduate Darrough told ABC-12 how important the moment and the program was for him saying,

“It means a lot. It gave me a sense of rehabilitation. To grow and develop and work on myself".

Congressman Kildee also echoed the importance of the work IGNITE is doing saying,

“Rather than simply stressing the hurdles that they face, and continue to face. Give them tools, probably as important as tools, the belief and belief that they can overcome. This is really impressive. This is really important, and I’m just so glad, I’m glad that I was able to be here and to be a part of it,” said Congressman, Dan Kildee. (Flint) (D)

According to Mlive,The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, which sends out about 2,800 meals each day, and Starlite Diner & Coney Island both partnered with the sheriff’s office to recruit the graduates.

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