OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
SUSANNE MANNING
Executive Director
My name is Susanne Manning and I am the Executive Director of Leading Returning Citizens, Inc., a non-profit organization. Since 2011, I have been a hands-on advocate for Returning Citizens. During my 19 years spent in Florida prisons I became acutely and painfully aware of the needs of incarcerated people. Upon my release, I learned of different needs we all face. I developed a keen sense of our need for access to tools, ways, and the means to successfully reintegrate into society. Since my release from prison I have dedicated myself to assisting Returning Citizens with search for gainful employment, rides to job interviews, help with basic clothing needs, toiletries, and offering a room in my home to any returning citizen who needed a helping hand that would ultimately lead them to self-sufficiency.
Working as a Reentry Coordinator for a Florida organization, I hosted and facilitated Second Chance Workshops throughout the State of Florida. I teamed up with State Attorney Offices, Public Defender’s Office, Clerk of the Court, various public and subsidized housing agencies, employment agencies, banks, credit repair companies etc., to help provide Returning Citizens access to the tools necessary for successful reentry into society. I was a leader, advocate, and visionary in the campaign to restore the right to vote to over 1.4 million Returning Citizens. With the successful passage of Amendment 4, I decided the time was right to come up with a way to render reintegration assistance to all Returning Citizens. There needed to be a reliable means to provide Returning Citizens with all tools for successful reintegration into society. It was at that moment that the “concept” of Leading Returning Citizens, Inc. became reality and our organization was founded.
IGNACIO CALDERIN
Director of Reentry and Resource Development
My name is Ignacio "Iggy" Calderin. When I was young and dumb I made a lot of poor choices for which I paid dearly. I went from being the first in my family to attend college in 1988, with a four-year football scholarship in Ohio, to being the first in my family to go to prison in 1991. After being sentenced to 22 years, I ended up serving 11 years, 3 months and 15 days. I am not proud of all my many bad decisions, so I told myself this was my first and last time experiencing life behind the fences. Consequently, like many of you, I did not know what to expect once on the outside.
After my release in 2002, my transition was not easy. The culture shock was real. I had support thanks to my family, but I did not know of the many resources available to assist “Returning Citizens”. It took me a long time to erase the criminal mindset and trust the process. Thankfully, someone believed in me. They believed in my ability, and in my interpersonal skills, to effectively share my life’s experiences those gained while incarcerated and after my reintegration back into society. I am humbled to be given this opportunity.
Today with a grateful heart, I visit the prisons to facilitate and teach a Resource and Re-Entry class to the men and women preparing to be released. I am PASSIONATE
to give back to those who need direction as I once did. This is my life’s calling.
CEDRIC AUSTIN
Director of Operations
My name is Cedric Austin. At the age of 17 years old, as a juvenile I found myself direct filed sentenced and charged as an adult to 20 years’ state prison. However, I didn’t allow that one bad decision to define my life. I chose to make prison, a school instead of a precarious environment. While I was incarcerated, I fought and petition for education, trades and Reentry programs for myself and fellow incarcerated individuals. Upon my release in 2018, I continued to advocate and be a bridge for the needs of individuals that are incarcerated and soon to be release. I have registered to vote numerous people with and without a past. I am a Community servant and a beacon of hope for those who desire change, redemption and equality. I am proof that change is absolutely possible and will continue to be the change I desire to see in my culture, community and in society. I firmly believe: “If there is a will there is a way”.