From Schoolhouse to Cellblock: Disinvestment, Re-entry, and Community Healing

Roderick Bush is a returning citizen whose life journey is a powerful testament to resilience, redemption, and determination. At the age of 17, he entered the Illinois Department of Corrections after receiving a 15-year sentence for home invasion. After serving seven and a half years, he was released and worked to rebuild his life. Following another period of incarceration that ultimately spanned 25 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, Roderick was released in 2023 with a renewed commitment to building a positive future.

While incarcerated, Roderick decided to invest in himself. He earned his GED in 2009 and worked in a variety of institutional roles, including serving for approximately 15 years as a care aide assisting individuals living with serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia. Those experiences deepened his understanding of compassion, accountability, and the importance of mental health.

Since his release, Roderick has remained focused on building a stable and successful life. Within three months, he secured his own transportation and apartment, demonstrating his determination to overcome barriers and become a productive member of his community. Today, he is employed as a Sanitation Specialist, where he continues to demonstrate a strong work ethic, reliability, and dedication to providing for himself while contributing positively to his community. Roderick is currently still on parole by way of Interstate Compact from the Missouri Deptartment of Corrections.

As a panelist, Roderick shares his lived experience to inspire others—especially young people and individuals impacted by the justice system. His story is one of accountability, perseverance, second chances, and hope. Through his journey, he reminds others that while we cannot change our past, we all have the power to shape our future.

Tammy Bush, M.A., CADC is a dedicated juvenile justice professional, mental health advocate, and community leader with more than 30 years of experience serving individuals, families, and communities across Illinois. Her career has been rooted in helping vulnerable populations overcome barriers, access resources, and build pathways toward successful futures.

Ms. Bush holds a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Master of Arts in Management from Fontbonne University, and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), bringing a trauma-informed, therapeutic, and strengths-based approach to her work with youth and families.

A passionate advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, Ms. Bush serves on the Board of Directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), where she contributes to statewide education, advocacy, and community outreach initiatives. Following the loss of her daughter, Tammurra Hamilton, to suicide in 2014, she transformed her grief into purpose by founding Tam’s Beautiful Butterflies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, scholarship opportunities, and support for loss survivors.

Ms. Bush is the driving force behind Illinois Senate Bill 2771, known as Tammurra’s Act, landmark legislation focused on increasing awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through educational institutions, government facilities, and reentry services. Her advocacy efforts have connected legislators, educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders in a shared mission to save lives and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

In addition to her professional and advocacy roles, Ms. Bush serves as Second Vice President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. ETA Gamma Chapter and is an active volunteer with Number 1 Fan Volunteering Service.  She is also the Founder and CEO of Tam’s Beautiful Butterflies and the Founder of Beautiful Konnections Productions, creating platforms that empower individuals to share stories of resilience, healing, and hope.

Through every aspect of her work, Tammy Bush remains committed to improving outcomes for justice-involved youth, advancing mental health awareness, supporting families impacted by suicide loss, and building stronger, healthier communities. Her life’s mission is rooted in transforming pain into purpose, creating lasting change, and ensuring that every person knows that hope is always available.

Megan Flinn is a wife, mother of two, and woman in recovery dedicated to inspiring hope through resilience and lived experience. 

Having overcome addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, Megan now uses her journey to encourage others to believe in the power of second chances and lasting transformation.

Kevin Hopkins is an educator, artist, marketing professional, and community advocate whose career has been dedicated to helping people discover opportunities, develop their talents, and strengthen their communities. As Family and Parent Engagement Specialist, he works to connect families, schools, and community organizations in ways that improve student success and create meaningful opportunities for lifelong learning. His efforts have helped increase participation in educational programs, strengthen family engagement practices, and support initiatives recognized by organizations throughout Illinois.

Before entering the education field, Kevin built an extensive career in marketing, communications, and visual design. He served in leadership roles in the electrical distribution industry, advertising and marketing, and community education & development. Throughout his career, he has combined creativity with strategic thinking to develop marketing campaigns, publications, branding initiatives, and community outreach programs. His work has ranged from promotional designs and event facilitation to grassroots community engagement efforts that brought together businesses, nonprofits, educators, and residents.

A graduate of Illinois State University's College of Fine Arts, Kevin continues to pursue his passion for the arts through painting and photography, creative writing, and music production. His work has been featured in galleries, public exhibitions, community projects, publications, and cultural events throughout the Greater St. Louis region. Whether mentoring families, creating artwork, documenting community history, or developing educational programs, Kevin remains committed to making a positive impact in East St. Louis and beyond.

Natasha Patterson, MA, LPC, is the Founder and Executive Director of The House of Mary Corporation (THOM), a nonprofit organization based in East St. Louis, Illinois, that provides transitional and supportive housing for justice-involved women returning to the community after incarceration.

A Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's degree in Counseling, Natasha combines professional expertise with lived experience to advocate for individuals impacted by poverty, trauma, and the criminal justice system. Through THOM, she has helped hundreds of women access safe housing, employment opportunities, counseling, life-skills training, and supportive services designed to reduce recidivism and promote long-term stability.

As a lifelong resident of East St. Louis, Natasha is deeply committed to addressing the systemic challenges that affect underserved communities, including educational inequities, neighborhood disinvestment, housing instability, and barriers to successful re-entry. Her work focuses on creating pathways to healing, empowerment, and economic opportunity while strengthening families and communities.

Natasha is passionate about transforming lives through advocacy, second chances, and community-based solutions that foster hope, resilience, and lasting change.

Illinois Humanities' Grantee Partner Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond is a published poet, community arts organizer, and entrepreneur. She began in the music industry and was signed by M.C. Hammer’s record label before returning to school for advanced degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing.

In 2016, she founded How To Find Scholarships, with the aim of helping college-bound teens attend top-tier schools without incurring massive debt. Dr. Shields Redmond is the founder and proprietor of Feminine Pronoun Consultants, LLC, a home for all the services she provides. She founded The Community Archive in 2022.

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