Story by Ann Rejrat for Spotlight PA

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Michael Eskridge launched Community Empowerment Services to help formerly incarcerated Pennsylvanians regain their footing.

Eskridge, a former teacher, principal, and social worker, views the Cumberland County reentry program as the culmination of his past work.

The program helps “returning citizens” — a term used by advocates to destigmatize people who have been incarcerated — by connecting them to services including transportation, housing assistance, drug and

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