On Tuesday, December 20, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. joined with Axis Church leaders, service providers, elected officials and justice involved individuals to announce the opening of a new location for the START Resource Center on the campus on the Axis Community Center at 19 N Country Rd, in Port Jefferson.

The Sheriff’s Transition and Reentry Team (START) was formed by Sheriff Toulon in 2020 and has since become a nationwide model for reentry services.  With 85% of individuals leaving the Suffolk Correctional Facilities remaining in Suffolk County, Sheriff Toulon is committed to making sure they have the tools and resources they need to live productive lives upon reentering our communities.  Since launching, the program has seen tremendous results with the recidivism rate of those participating landing at nearly half of the NYS average.

“Keeping our streets safe and free of crime starts with giving formerly incarcerated men and women returning to our County the services they need to be productive members of our communities. The START Resource Center aims to break the barriers typically associated with reentry to put these individuals on a path to success.  It is my hope that with this additional location we will be able to reach even more justice involved individuals,” said Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.  

The new location at the Axis Community Center will mirror the services of the START Resource Center and offer connections to resources for mental health and drug abuse, services for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, assistance with obtaining documentation and employment as well as food, clothing and more. The services are free of charge for formerly incarcerated individuals residing in Suffolk County (regardless of where and when they were incarcerated) as well as for family members of incarcerated individuals.  This is the second community-based satellite location of the START Resource Center, with the first opening in Wyandanch in 2021. 

Sheriff Toulon was joined by Axis Church officials, business, school district and community leaders as well as representatives from partners including Department of Labor, EAC Network, ECLI-Vibes and New Hour.  A livestream of the event can be viewed here. 

For more information about the START Resource Center please visit www.suffolksheriff.com.