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Councilwoman Samantha Crisp introduced Base Camp Re-entry and Education to the Winslow City Council last week. Co-founder Jessica Laessig explained what the group does and asked for consideration from the City of Winslow to open a facility there. Base Camp, a 501c3 non-profit, offers programs to those exiting the penal system in education and life skills.
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Laessig said, “Therapeutic communities have been in existence for 30 plus years. This model is not a new model and we think that Winslow could benefit from having a program like this here. Our mission is to get people with criminal records back on their feet through wilderness adventure, adult education and career training through a peer supported mentorship.”
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Laessig explained that the program is free for all of the participants. “We are a program for diversion as well as re-entry. Diversion, meaning they won’t go into the jail system at all, they will come to us instead. Re-entry is on the back side, someone who has already served time and is leaving the system will come to us.”
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The program is a residential model and clients go into the program, remain there for a minimum of two years. “That is really what sets us apart from the 30, 60 or 90-day treatment facilities. We require a two-year commitment. We want people to leave when they are ready, employable and have support.”
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According to Laessig, in that two years, participants will receive assistance in obtaining their general education diplomas (GED), further their education in trades and life skills, and build a business in a communal living setting. “Some of these programs run cafés or moving companies or store fronts. These businesses help fund our program and will be an opportunity for skill acquirement. When you leave the criminal justice system you have a hard time finding employment. We want to get them employable.
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“The model works where we have a number of businesses under our umbrella. That is what makes our model different. They are getting everything in-house. Education, training and living are all under our roof. All the while, they are being supported by peers. It has been shown that peer support is the most successful model in reducing recidivism. Also, it is through example that people are given hope that change is possible.”
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Base Camp Re-Entry and Education can be found online at www.basecampre.org.
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The council also heard a presentation from the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) Task Force. The group asked the council to adopt a resolution urging the Arizona Legislature to hear and ratify an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to equal rights for men and women.
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Diane Post spoke on behalf of the task force and stated what the amendment would entail. “Equality of life under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. That’s what it says very simple, very clear, very plain.
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“Why do we still need an amendment today in 2019? The answer is because women don’t have equal rights under the law. One of those rights is equal pay, referring to the gender pay gap. In Arizona specifically, women make $7,000 a year less than men. We are not foolish enough to think that passing the amendment would solve the gender pay gap, but what it will do is it will give us a different framework on how to look at it.”
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Vice Mayor Bob Schlesinger asked, “Where do they get that number for equal pay? I have worked for the government for years and I know that the women get paid the same as the men in the same position. Is that mainly in the private sector? And how would this change a private company?”
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Post responded, “This will not change a private company, but when the discrimination case gets to the court, they will look at it. It doesn’t tell the company they have to do anything, it’s a different level of legal analysis when it gets to court.”
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Councilwoman Judy Howell said, “As a woman, I think I can speak for women more than a man could. In all of my life, I have never felt discriminated against because I am a woman. I have worked many, many jobs. One of those jobs was at the Two Bar Ranch in Wyoming. I was paid exactly the same as what they advertised for the men. I think a woman just needs to sell themselves, to present themselves and they can make as much as a man. I don’t think it’s necessary to pass a law to give us equal rights.”
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Councilwoman Sam Crisp said, “As the other woman on council, the flip side to that is I have worked in the exact same job as a male co-worker and I made less. After it was brought to management’s attention, yes, it had to be brought to their attention, it was rectified. As I took on more responsibility, my pay didn’t go up. My male counterpart didn’t get more responsibility but did receive raises.”
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Howell responded, “Privately, it’s not because you’re a woman, it’s because you weren’t doing the job. I know in painting, I wasn’t equal to a man and a woman will never be equal to a man in some jobs because whenever it came to moving a 35-foot extension ladder, I had to have the help of a couple of gentlemen. I knew I wasn’t capable of doing everything required in the job.”
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Councilman Rickey Jackson added, “I have been in government for over 25 years and my experience has been that teachers in general are underpaid because historically it is considered women’s work. In higher education, women have consistently been placed on a lower scale. So, it does exist within higher education.”
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Mayor Tom McCauley said, “When this first came on the scene it failed in the Senate in 1972 then passed and went to the states for ratification. Until Congress takes action to extend a time for state ratification, what we are doing here is a moot point and won’t do us any good. I think we are barking up a tree that has no roots right now.
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“The City of Winslow has already stepped forward to pass what we call our human rights ordinance. It will go to referendum in November. Until the legislature picks this up, this is a moot point. I know for a fact the Arizona legislature won’t pick it up,” said McCauley.
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Crisp moved to adopt a resolution in support of ratifying an amendment to the Constitution relative to equal rights for men and women. The motion was seconded by Jackson. A vote was split 3-3 with Schlesinger, Howell and McCauley entering no votes, and Crisp, Marshall Losey and Jackson voting in favor.
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