Reimagine Reentry
Title: Social Media Literacy: Risks, Benefits, and Staying Safe
Student Interns:
Ami Klinghoffer
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Madelyn Smelko
University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences
Academic Preceptor:
Zoé M. Hendrickson, PhD
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
Community Preceptor:
Rick Cobbs
Director of Coaching & Reentry Services, Reimagine Reentry
Julia Donnelly, MPH
Director of Data & Evaluation, Reimagine Reentry
Community Site:
Reimagine Reentry provides reentry coaching and other services, including trade skills development, career connections, and interview skills development, for citizens returning from incarceration within the past three years. In addition, the organization’s Violence Prevention team provides resources for victims, including relocation when necessary.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps interns’ project aimed to assist the MC3 program participant population at Reimagine Reentry by improving social media literacy and skills. The interns developed and presented a PowerPoint to MC3 participants to encourage discussion and critical reflection on social media use. The presentation covered topics such as a basic definition, the history of social media, the mental health effects of social media, hyper-individualism, influencer culture, misinformation, disinformation, rage bait, artificial intelligence and detection tips, and overall safety tips. The interns also developed an online database of resources to help Reimagine Reentry’s Violence Prevention team assist clients on the go.
Reflections
My time at Reimagine Reentry was eye-opening. By interacting with participants and listening to their stories, I gained a much deeper understanding of the many challenges that reentering citizens face upon leaving incarceration, such as unemployment, mental health challenges, and barriers to digital literacy. I also learned how impactful a team of dedicated staff members and educators could be in supporting participants’ growth and success. I truly enjoyed watching participants develop confidence in their abilities, connect with one another, and discover their passions. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from Reimagine Reentry staff and the MC3 participants who so graciously accepted us into their classroom. I look forward to carrying the lessons I learned through this internship with me as I continue my journey in public health and community-based work.
Ami Klinghoffer
The time I spent at Reimagine Reentry was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed seeing the program participants build their skills and create a community within themselves. My favorite part was watching everyone make future career plans, many securing jobs for after the program. I also learned a lot about the Hill District community, its history surrounding the construction of the Civic Arena, and the issues the community faces today. I was fortunate enough to learn from the Violence Prevention team about the violence in the Pittsburgh area as well as the strategies they use to prevent violence. Working closely with Rick Cobbs, Julia Donnelly, and the entire Reimagine Reentry staff, it has been very inspiring to see how dedicated and motivated they all are to making a positive difference in the community. I am very thankful for this experience, and I will cherish the memories for years to come.
Madelyn Smelko
