Before, During and After Incarceration
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EVENTS
​​​BDAI Family and Volunteer Support Dinner
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 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 Fellowship Hall
222 Cass St.​​​​​​​​
BDAI Can & Bottle Drive
Help us help others! BDAI hosts a can recycling drive every month on the 2nd Saturday from noon to 2pm at Family Fare on 8th Street in Traverse City. Please drop off your clean cans or bottles in boxes or bags.The funds will help us provide emergency services, programming and special needs to the incarcerated and their families.
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February Can Drive this Saturday, March 8th Noon-2pm
Family Fare 8th St. T.C.
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Spotlight on Those Making a Difference in Our Community
217 Recovery offers transportation, meetings, support services and more to make a real difference for those needing substance recovery services.
Check out:
217 Recovery Website for more information
217 Recovery Podcasts (also available on Apple App Storeand or Google Play)
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Our MISSION
Before, During and After Incarceration (BDAI) seeks to promote alternatives to incarceration, including restorative programming, and support for those incarcerated and their families.
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
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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!
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Investigation of Michigans Mental Health System Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Department of Justice is investigating if rights of adults in Michigan are being violated by excessive stays in psychiatric hospitals or if their health needs could be better met by quality mental health services and supportive housing in their local communities.
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.​
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
House Mouse
House Mouse written by long term friend of BDAI, Jack Lown. Jack was incarcerated for over 50 years in Michigan prisons. It is a story of resilience and courage in the face of a system that is not always just. If you are looking for a compelling story order Jack's book today.
Distressed or In Crisis?
Life-Threatening Emergencies:
Call 911
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National Suicide/Mental Health Crisis Lifeline:
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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
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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/
Traverse House Clubhouse
Traverse House, a mental health program of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, is an accredited Clubhouse affiliated with Clubhouse International. This is a member-driven community that exists to support one another on their mental health journey that focuses on recovery. We offer support to anyone with a mental illness who receives services with Northern Lakes CMHA.
105 Hall Street, Suite B, Traverse City
(231) 922-2060
Interested in Becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Coach?
Check out these links:
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TraCning Application
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LATEST NEWS
Congratulations to Tom Bousamra who accepted the Love Ambassador Social Justice Award on behalf of BDAI
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Support our request for a Northern MI Mental Health Campus
We need more mental health beds in Northern Michigan!
Need for a New Jail Facility in Grand Traverse
Learn more about the need for a new Grand Traverse Jail Facility with BDAI Board president Scott Tompkins and Deacon Tom Bousamra, Catholic Jail Chaplain.
Just a heads up that Tom and Scott in collaboration with Sheriff Shea will discuss the need for a new Grand Traverse County Jail tomorrrow Part 2 of the interview will air Fri. 1/9 at 8:25 am on NPR Interlochen Radio 91.5 Be sure to tune in.
In case you missed Part 1 Here is the link:
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Jail Rentry Simulation
On May 15th a Jail Release Simulation was held at NMC with
key leaders from throughout the area. The simmulation
co-sponsored by BDAI, MI Center for Rural Health/NMORC, OS Rentry-GT, and Keys to Freedom Ministries gave participants the chance to experience the challenges those returning to the community after incarceration face. Thank you to all who participated!
Article from Commongrounds participant -Becky Cain
Jail Release Simulation-Second Wave Media
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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.
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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
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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