Before, During and After Incarceration
Our MISSION
BDAI advocates for the incarcerated by providing restorative programming, family support, and community education about alternatives to incarceration while engaging local and statewide stakeholders to improve the criminal justice system.
Help BDAI
Please consider making a donation to BDAI
BDAI Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization and your donation will help the incarcerated and their families.
Check out BDAI's Fund Appeal letter to see all of the ways we are helping the incarcerated through your generous support!
Help Others
BDAI offers a Coaching Program to help those who are recently released from jail to find the resources they need to successfully reintegrate into the community.
Interested in being a coach or know someone recently released from jail who could use a coach?
Contact Tom Bousamra bousamrato@gmail.com
Everyone Deserves the Best Care
Do you have a concern with a Mental Health provider?
Do you need to file a complaint? Get more information here
Distressed or In Crisis?
Life-Threatening Emergencies:
Call 911
National Suicide/Mental Health Crisis Lifeline:
24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line
1-833-295-0616 TTY 711
Local 24/7 Mobile Crisis Services
National Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741 24/7 crisis counseling
StrongHearts Native
Walk ins Welcome
105 Hall St, Traverse City
Open 8am-5pm Mon.-Fri.
We are here to help:
NAMI-Grand Traverse
(National Alliance on Mental Illness) https://namigt.org/
BDAI
(Before During & After Incarceration) https://www.bdaiconnect.org/
LATEST NEWS
A Call to Action Northern Michiganders-Mental Health Reform
Proposed bills address mental health parity and Mental Health Workforce development, both of which are key to comprehensive mental health care in out state.
Good Time Makes Good Sense
Good time is a system of credits available for incarcerated citizens who demonstrate they are turning their lives around and exhibit behavioral change in measureable ways.
Michigan is only one of six states that does not have early release programs
Find out more about the Good Time proposal
Good Time
Help collect signatures to see Good Time on the ballot in November 2024: Info Here
MI Expungement Laws
New legislation has made it possible for certain crimes to be expunged from a person's record.
What does the new “Clean Slate” law do?
The new law expands eligibility to petition for an expungement in several ways, and creates a new process that will automatically seal certain non-violent conviction records if a person has remained conviction-free for a period of time (seven years for misdemeanors; 10 years for felonies. Automatic expungement will start on April 2023. More information on expungement and what qualifies can be found here
MI Justice Reform Signed into Law
Fair Chance Housing
TRAVERSE CITY FAIR CHANCE HOUSING ORDINANCE
Over 2 million people in Michigan have a criminal record and, as a result, face barriers to employment, food, and shelter. Nearly 45,000 laws and statutes face people returning home from prison that exclude them from access to basic life necessities.
In fact, recent research has shown that formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. In other research, 79 percent of the study’s participants were denied housing based on their own or a family
member’s conviction history. The “Fair Chance Housing” ordinance seeks to expand housing opportunities for people with records who have served their time and are seeking to provide for themselves and their families. (Nation Outside 2023)
https://www.nationoutside.org/
Contact: Bonnie Zabel Traverse City Regional Coordinator Phone: 231.715.1733
EVENTS
BDAI Family and Volunteer Support Dinner
Tuesday, May 7, 2023 5:30 pm
WHO – We welcome individuals and their families who have been affected previously or are currently impacted by incarceration & BDAI Volunteers.
WHAT – A meal will be provided in a relaxing gathering. A short presentation may occur to update attendees regarding BDAI’s activities.
Childcare and activities provided.
WHERE: Central United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (New Location)
222 Cass St.
Traverse City, MI 49684