CONCLUSION

Statistics show that the odds of offenders successfully reintegrating into society are significantly increased when support services such as education, drug abuse treatment, employment counseling, and help with housing and mental health issues are available. Because of the Londer Center, other DCJ programs, and their community partners, offenders in Multnomah County have access to such services. The role the Londer Center plays in the system has not gone unnoticed. In fact, despite a serious budget crisis in Oregon, DCJ has made every effort to keep the Londer Center open. As Michael Haines, one of DCJ's district managers, explains, "Corrections is a three-legged stool-supervision, services, and sanctions. No one tool works in isolation."

The challenge for DCJ, then, is to keep cuts proportional and to identify the threshold at which further cuts would incapacitate one of the three legs. While partnerships are one option for maximizing resources, partner staff report that funding problems can hamper efforts to collaborate with other agencies and organizations. It takes time to develop relationships, figure out how all the pieces fit together, and establish systems for referrals and sharing information. Constraints on resources can make these tasks difficult because so much time is spent trying to manage day-to-day issues. Although it is a challenge to find the time and funds for partnerships, staff within DCJ and partner organizations emphasize the importance of working together to lower the rate of recidivism. They also credit the willingness of dedicated staff to navigate the obstacles posed by tight budgets or other issues. As one program manager says, "We're not going to put our hands together and say we can't serve you."

This level of commitment is demonstrated by partner staff at all levels; they continue their hard work because they believe in what they are doing. As one Londer instructor put it, "I enjoy working with this population because it is rewarding to feel like I am actually helping people change their lives." Londer administrator Stadel sums up the Center's approach with a quote from one of its founders, lawyer John Ryan, "There's no limit to what you can get done if you don't care who gets credit."