Sometimes life requires a reset, and with that in mind, the Office of Re-entry Services,through the Central Georgia Technical College Foundation, established and awarded earlier this month, its inaugural scholarship for a previously incarcerated citizen continuing their education.

The Re-entry Scholarship for Educational Transition awards an actively enrolled student in good academic standing who has been previously incarcerated in a Georgia public or private corrections facility, and has applied within two years of release. The Office of Re-entry Services worked with the Georgia Department of Corrections to establish the $250/semester award.

The inaugural recipient is Denetra Ware Jackson. The Foundation recognized her amongst her peers at their bi-annual Awards Day Ceremony in early April.

“We are thrilled that Denetra is the first recipient of this scholarship, and for what it will help her accomplish as she continues her education at CGTC,” said, Dr. Brittany Lucas, executive director of Re-entry Services. Re-entry Services, under the supervision of the Technical College System of Georgia, oversees certificate programs and on-the-job training in 13 public and private correctional facilities across Georgia.

“This scholarship was created because community members saw the great work we are doing inside the prisons and wanted to further support our incarcerated citizens post-release. We take great pride in our work as we continuously strive to accomplish the goals set forth by Gov. Deal’s Prison Reentry Initiative. We want all formerly incarcerated citizens to know they have our support to continue their education at CGTC.”

Jackson, 30, finished her time for a violation of probation charge at West Central Integrated Treatment Facility in Zebulon, Ga., in February, just weeks before the Foundation announced the scholarship. Before leaving the facility, Jackson knew one of her first steps of re-entry would be to continue her education.

“I found a liking in Business Management,” said Jackson, who holds a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from CGTC, and was once considering nursing. “I like planning things, even down to my kids’ birthday parties. I thought, ‘why not get paid for it?”

Compensation for her skills in event planning is yet to be determined, but what is established is her role as the first recipient of a scholarship, and that pays in responsibility.

“No matter what, always chase after your dreams, never lose hope, and never give up,” she said, considering what her pioneer position might mean to future students.  “The biggest thing is do not doubt yourself. Do not be afraid to apply, to step out there. It is just as everyone was telling me; you may be a motivation to everyone else who may be afraid.”

Ware believes the RESET Scholarship will give her the push forward to continue, and the support behind her from GDC and the Office of Re-entry, the strength to finish.

Eventually, Jackson plans to start her own business. For now, her focus is on school, her kids, and her husband, Perry, whom she married in mid-march.