Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ellen Moran.
Hi Mary Ellen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am proud to be a native Austinite. I am 73 years strong, whose roots run deep in the soil of community service and systemic change. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Social Work, I’ve spent my life not only raising five children, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, but also nurturing a vision for justice and renewal in our city.
For over five decades, I’ve been married to my partner in life and purpose, and for nearly as long, I’ve been committed to empowering those impacted by the criminal justice system. In 2007, under the leadership of County Judge Sam Biscoe, I created and led Travis County’s first reentry program. This initiative laid the foundation for how our community supports returning citizens. Later, in 2012, Sheriff Greg Hamilton invited me to create a reentry program inside the walls of the Del Valle Correctional Complex, developing a second pioneering reentry program that gave incarcerated individuals the tools to reclaim their futures.
Why I do the Work I do
My son served 13 and a half years. Came out at age 30, but mentally, still 17. And that’s something a lot of folks don’t understand: prison freezes time. The age you go in is often the age you come out.
Through it all, I found programs and resources that could’ve helped him. I saw how much information families just didn’t have. So I made it my mission to make sure no one else had to start from scratch like I did.
That mission turned into a movement.
In 2007, I created the first comprehensive reentry program in Travis County. We earned national recognition for workforce development. Then I led the reentry program inside the Travis County Correctional Complex for seven years, and both programs still live on today.
I’ve been doing reentry work for over 30 years. But I don’t do it for titles. I don’t do it for awards.
I do it because I lived it. Because I know what it’s like to fight for your child’s life from the outside. Because I believe no one is disposable. And because everyone deserves a second chance.
That’s why I do this work. And I’ll keep doing it until every person coming home has a real shot at rebuilding their life, with dignity, with support, and with love.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The answer to that is simple. It has not been a smooth road. At On-Point Re-Entry Consortium, we confront systemic barriers head-on, bridging gaps between incarceration and community by addressing mindset, employment readiness, and essential resources. Our greatest challenges stem from stigma, fragmented services, and limited funding, yet we remain anchored in hope and innovation. Through collaboration and commitment, we transform second chances into lasting change.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a BIPOC reentry organization, run, led, and driven by women who have been trained at the highest level by the National Institute of Corrections and the Department of Justice, as Reentry Workforce Development Specialists. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of lived experience, professional expertise, and evidence-based practice. We specialize in delivering transformative training, consulting, and coaching services that address the complex barriers faced by justice-impacted individuals.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and innovation. We don’t just train individuals, we empower them! Our programs are rooted in research and designed to equip both service providers and returning citizens with the tools needed to navigate reentry successfully. From immersive workshops in the jail and in the community and comprehensive reentry simulations, to our signature Reentry One-Stop Plan, we create pathways that foster personal growth, professional development, and long-term stability. In addition, we offer work-related supportive services and partner with other agencies for services we do not provide. We’re proud to be known for our bold vision: a world where successful reentry is not the exception, but the standard. Our brand: ReThink, ReBuild, ReNew, stands for hope, equity, and transformation. Whether we’re training thousands of providers across the country or walking alongside someone on their first day of freedom, our mission remains the same: empowering success through collaboration, compassion, and community. We are working together as one to change the lives of many!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up wasn’t easy. When my parents divorced at 12, everything I thought I knew about love, security, and family shifted. I became quiet and uncertain, like I didn’t quite fit anywhere. Deep down, I just wanted to be loved and to make people feel the kind of care I longed for myself.
Even as a child, I dreamed of becoming a nun, not because of tradition, but because I wanted to help people hold onto their faith through hard times. I’ve always had a tender heart and a deep desire to see others thrive, even when I felt lost myself. I also loved to draw; it was my way of expressing what I couldn’t always say out loud.
I’ve often felt like I’ve been here before, like my spirit carries a kind of wisdom that doesn’t match the years I’ve lived. Some people call that being an old soul. I just know I’ve always looked at the world a little differently, through a lens of hope, faith, and a quiet determination to bring healing wherever I can.
I never became a nun, but I never stopped believing in faith, compassion, and purpose. On-Point is how I live that belief every day.
Pricing:
- Our Reentry Employment Specialist Training, delivered quarterly to community providers, is priced at $499, with an early bird rate of $399, making it accessible while supporting our operational needs. This training equips service providers with the tools to effectively support returning citizens, extending our mission far beyond our immediate reach.
- We also provide highly sought-after reentry simulations across Texas and beyond, with fees ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on audience size. These immersive experiences foster empathy, system awareness, and a deeper understanding of the reentry journey among stakeholders, agencies, and community leaders.
- Importantly, every dollar generated goes directly back into our programs, allowing us to provide all services for justice-impacted individuals completely free of charge. This includes employment support, transportation assistance, documentation recovery, and cognitive-behavioral workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onpointreentry.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oprc.austin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnPointReentry/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-moran-7a493831b
Image Credits
On-Point Re-Entry Consortium provided the images
