What is it?
This exercise treats a returning person as a neighbor with choices about conversation and participation.
Why would I need this?
Practice a welcome that does not make someone perform gratitude or disclose their history.
Show me.
- Introduce yourself as you would to another adult neighbor.
- Offer an ordinary invitation or useful local information.
- Let the person accept, decline, or suggest another time.
- Ask before sharing their story or introducing them through their incarceration history.
Try it.
Practice a welcome to an invented community meal without mentioning someone’s record.
Watch out for this.
Being welcoming does not require access to your home, private space, or personal information. Everyone can keep boundaries.
Explain this another way
Focus on one small task: offer an ordinary welcome without demanding a story. You can practice aloud, on paper, or with someone you trust.
Show me an example
HAB practice example: A neighbor says: “We have a community meal Saturday. You are welcome if you would like to come.”
What does that word mean?
Open the full glossaryYou did it.
You have practiced a useful next step. Repeat it if you want, or continue at your own pace.