The Danville Police Department held graduation for Incarceration Doesn’t Define Us (I.D.D.U.) participants Tuesday, July 11, at One Community Way during a ceremony in the multipurpose room.
I.D.D.U. offers those who were once incarcerated a multitude of resources many say they didn’t know were available to them.
Community Relations Liaison Ashtyn Foddrell remarked that she was proud of each graduate, and wished them well following their completion of the eight week program.
Graduating from the Summer 2023 I.D.D.U. session was Ricky Chandler, Deborah Coles, Princess Corbett, Samuel Glass, Vickey Graves, LaShaera Morrison, Edwin Sydnor, Stephanie Thornton, Geana Walker and Elmer Wiles.
Graduates Deborah Coles and Elmer Wiles told those in attendance that they were amazed by what the community has to offer to help those often looked down upon.
I.D.D.U. was founded in September 2021. The program helps with housing, jobs, interview skills, résumé, building, education, how to manage money, and help with getting identification cards (such as a birth certificate, and Social Security cards or identification cards). The program is funded through donations, and is solely taught by Foddrell along with a couple of community partners for specific topics.