Franklin County CBCF

10/07/2026

CBCF is proud to celebrate a major milestone: our first-ever Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship Graduation!

Seventeen residents began this program, and all seventeen successfully completed it. Throughout the program, graduates gained valuable classroom instruction and hands-on experience in a fully equipped plumbing lab right here inside CBCF, developing practical skills they can carry directly into the workforce.

The program was facilitated by Freeland Contracting Company, and the opportunity doesn't end at graduation. Residents who successfully completed the program have the opportunity to pursue employment with Freeland and partner agencies as they return to the community.

A special thank you to Freeland Contracting Company for believing in the power of change, second chances, and fair-chance employment. Thank you to My Brother’s Closet for providing clothing for our graduates, and thank you to ARCH (Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope) for providing reentry support and helping our graduates prepare for success beyond CBCF.

Congratulations to our inaugural class! 🛠️🎓

10/02/2026

Last week, CBCF had the privilege of welcoming Dewey Foster to our facility as a guest speaker for Recovery Month.

Dewey serves as Chaplain at the Lucas County Jail in Toledo, is the Founder and President of Covenant Sales Group LLC, and is a former University of Toledo Football player. On top of that, Dewey has firsthand life experience with the struggles of addiction and incarceration.

Dewey uses his personal and professional experiences to promote a message of strength,
hope, and resilience.

Thank you, Dewey!

09/29/2026

🎓 Celebrating Our Graduates! 🎓

Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating four CBCF residents who earned their GEDs! This milestone represents hard work, perseverance, and the decision to keep moving forward.

A special thank you to our guest speaker, Court Coordinator for the R.I.S.E. Mental Health Court Program Shannon Bradshaw, for joining us and delivering a powerful message about resilience and continuing forward even when the path isn’t easy.

We are incredibly grateful to our GED Instructor, Jeffrey Wynnyk, for the time, patience, and dedication he gives to helping our residents advance their education. We were also happy to welcome back former GED Instructor Dr. Mateer, who returned to present the diplomas (we knew she couldn’t stay away for long 😜)!

Finally, thank you to our resident tutors and volunteers whose support helped our graduates reach this milestone and made helped make the celebration wonderful.

Congratulations to our four graduates! We are proud of what you’ve accomplished and excited for the opportunities this achievement can open. 🎓👏

09/29/2026

CBCF was proud to host The Backwall, an event that uses art and creative expression to foster meaningful conversations about mass incarceration and the experiences of those impacted by the justice system.

Our residents and guests shared their talents through poetry, artwork, music, magic, and dance.

A special thank you to Healing Broken Circles for bringing The Backwall to CBCF and creating opportunities for voices to be heard through the power of art. 💙 can’t wait to share more footage of the performances!

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Our residents had the opportunity to attend Franklin County’s National Recovery Month Celebration at Franklin Park Conservatory today! 🌿🌸🍃

09/09/2026

Who says you can't have a little fun while cleaning up the river? Not us!

09/08/2026

Last week, CBCF residents had the incredible opportunity to take on the Via Ferrata at Quarry Trails Metro Park. The nation’s first urban Via Ferrata!

Suspended high above the quarry, residents navigated cables, ladders, rungs, and challenging obstacles that required more than physical strength. It took trust, communication, problem-solving, encouragement, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the next step felt intimidating...all the same skills required for successful reentry.

Shout out to our residents and staff for their courage and willingness to try new challenges!

09/04/2026

Our residents are putting their skills to work through our plumbing vocational program with Freeland Contracting Company!

Through hands-on training and education, Freeland provides residents with the opportunity to develop valuable, in-demand plumbing skills while working toward earning their plumbing certification. But the opportunity doesn’t stop at graduation...participants are also building a pathway toward gainful employment with Freeland or one of their partner agencies following their time at CBCF.

Programs like this are about more than learning a trade. They’re about creating real opportunities for independence, stability, and long-term success in the community.

We are incredibly grateful to Freeland Contracting Company for investing in our residents and helping turn second chances into sustainable futures. 🔧🛠️

09/03/2026

🎓 Happy Retirement (again!), Dr. Megan Mateer! 🎓

Last week, CBCF said a bittersweet goodbye to our incredible GED Instructor, Dr. Shelley Mateer, as she heads into retirement…for the second time!

Throughout her tenure at CBCF, Dr. Mateer helped countless residents achieve something that can truly change the trajectory of their lives: earning their GED. With each diploma came new opportunities for continuing education, meaningful employment, and a brighter future beyond our doors.

Dr. Mateer’s impact went far beyond academics. She brought an unwavering passion for education and a deeply held belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed, regardless of their background or the path that brought them here. Our residents knew they had someone in their corner who believed in what they were capable of accomplishing.

We are incredibly grateful for the time, patience, encouragement, and heart Dr. Mateer gave to CBCF and our residents over the years. She will be deeply missed by residents and staff alike.

Now it’s time for her next adventure! We wish Dr. Mateer a very happy retirement and safe travels as she sets out to explore the United States with her husband. 🗺️