Essex County Sheriff’s STAR program graduates first participants, offers hope for the future 

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department has graduated its first group of individuals from its new community-based program Supporting Transitions and Reentry (STAR) Program. 

These nine individuals were all justice-involved and in need of services to help keep them out of jail and on a pathway to successful citizenship. Each were assigned a STAR Navigator that developed an individualized plan for services and connections to community resources that helped these individuals get the treatment, counseling, educational services, workforce training, and other supports they need.  

“This is just the start for these men and women who came to the STAR program looking for a chance. They put their trust in our Navigators, they put in the hard work, and now they have hope for a better life,” said Sheriff Kevin Coppinger. “It doesn’t matter how they got to our program. It matters that they are here, continuing to do the work, and ready for a change.” 

The STAR program has offices in Lynn and Lawrence, which offer classes, group therapy, drug testing, and a safe space to meet with community partners. STAR’s goal is to keep people out of jail by keeping them connected to community programs and services. This group of nine received help with achieving their high school equivalency degree, housing, substance use treatment, workforce training, and much more. Two of the participants completed STAR’s Tech Goes Home course and received a free Chromebook and a year of free internet access.  

Sheriff Coppinger also credited Northern Essex Community College and Spectrum Health Systems whose partnerships in operating the STAR offices with the Sheriff’s Department have been instrumental in the program’s success. 

Each of the nine participants recognized have decided to stay with the program on a voluntary basis to continue the work they started. Participant Tedje addressed the 50 people at STAR’s Dec. 6 graduation, saying he was reluctant about the program but thankful he was a part of it. Tedje has been working on completing his Google Professional IT Certificate, has hopes of going to college, and recently volunteered at a community Thanksgiving event helping others. 

“I have learned that your future is not limited by your past and I have a lot of good in front of me,” Tedje said. “I have a lot of hope.” 

Candace also completed the program and wrote a poem about her battles with substance use titled “I am free.” She tearfully thanked STAR for her sobriety. 

Each participant was presented with a certificate from the STAR Program. State Sen. Brendan Crighton and State Rep. Peter Capano also presented each with a special proclamation. 

“When people come together, thing get done. The STAR program is an example of this,” said State Rep. Peter Capano. “This is a beginning. This is proof you can do it and it should give you hope for the future.” 

Sheriff Coppinger also presented the Lynn Police Bike Unit and Lynn Police Officer Taylor Haberek with Certificates of Appreciation for their support of the STAR program. As of Tuesday, the Unit had referred 42 people to the STAR program — and Officer Haberek was responsible for 38 of those referrals.  

The STAR program takes referrals from courts, police, parole, probation, and community members, including loved ones. Because the program is based on individualized plans, there is no set time for completion. The participants in this first group took anywhere from four to five months to complete.  

For more information on the STAR program, visit https://bit.ly/3Fyzglf or contact STAR Director Stacie Bloxham at sbloxham@essexsheriffma.org.