CPI Announces the 2007 Community Spotlight Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Media Liaison: Laura Smith, 512.502.9704

Austin, Texas (September 16, 2007) - The Crime Prevention Institute's Community Spotlight Awards are given to individuals and agencies who have made a significant contribution in the area of offender reintegration, but who often are behind the scenes, and not in the 'spotlight.'

In 2005, the Spotlight Award was given to Darla Gay, Community Justice Coordinator at the Travis County District Attorney's Office for her role in the founding of the Austin/Travis County Re-Entry Roundtable.

In 2006, the Spotlight Award was given to Gilbert Campuzano, Regional Director (Region VI) with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, as a thank you to TDCJ for their continued generous donation of office space and willingness to work in partnership with CPI toward effective re-entry services.

This year, CPI will present Spotlight Awards in 3 categories:

INDIVIDUAL
Penny Rayfield, Owner, OnShore Resources, a prison industry enhancement (PIE) program in Lockhart, Texas. Penny is being recognized for her outstanding contributions in offender workforce development through the PIE program, and also for her role as advocate and social change agent as Chair of the Austin/Travis County Re-Entry Roundtable's Planning Council.

AGENCY
Trinity Center, a faith based non-profit organization serving the homeless population in downtown Austin, for their generous gift of space to host post-release support groups for our TPRE program.

LEGISLATOR
Representative Nathan Macias (TX State Representative District 73, for the authoring of HB 2537, Relating to liability for hiring an employee or an independent contractor who has been convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense.

Please join us at the event to help us honor these valued partners. Click here to visit the CPI Annual Fundraiser page and register to attend.

About the Crime Prevention Institute

The Crime Prevention Institute was founded in 1992 to provide transitional support to ex-offenders being relased from prison and jail back to the Austin, Texas community. Fifteen years later, CPI continues to strengthen families and support individuals with job skills training, reentry resources, and case management. Staff meet clients where they are—in their homes, in jail and on the streets—to provide everything necessary for a successful transition into the community. Visit www.cpiaustin.org to learn more.

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