About Us

About RARE Academy

RARE Academy (Reentry Advocates Restoring Excellence) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, classified under IRS subcategory 509(a)(2). This designation reflects that, in addition to donations and grants, we generate income through our programs and services—demonstrating to funders that our model is both sustainable and rooted in long-term impact.

Based in Austin, Texas, RARE Academy is dedicated to empowering justice-impacted individuals and transforming the reentry landscape. Founded on principles of compassion and restorative justice, we work to break down barriers and provide innovative solutions that create pathways for successful reintegration into society.

The RARE Experience: Systems Simulation

Our signature program, the RARE Experience: Systems Simulation, is an immersive educational and training tool that exposes how multiple systems—housing, healthcare, employment, immigration, family responsibilities, and vital records—intersect and compound barriers for individuals. By placing participants directly into these scenarios, the simulation demonstrates how structural inequities and systemic oppression are intertwined, equipping leaders, educators, employers, and policymakers with the insight to drive meaningful change.

A newly added component, the Peer Support Model, integrates the leadership of people with lived experience. Peer facilitators guide participants through system challenges, share the real-world impacts of policy and practice, and model what meaningful support looks like. This lens strengthens the educational impact of the simulation and affirms the power of peer leadership in advancing solutions.

Beyond the Simulation

Beyond the simulation, we foster deep partnerships that move from dialogue to action. Our work extends into co-designing programs that respond directly to community needs, building the capacity of organizations and leaders to deliver with impact, and advancing policies that remove systemic barriers. We approach this not as outside consultants, but as collaborators who bring lived experience, technical expertise, and a shared vision for equity to the table.

Through training, technical support, and collective planning, we strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and community coalitions. These partnerships generate more than immediate outcomes—they reshape systems by addressing inequities at their root. Together, we develop innovative strategies that expand opportunity, foster accountability, and create environments where justice-impacted individuals and their families can thrive.

Join Us

RARE Academy invites you to join us in our mission to empower individuals and advocate for restorative practices. Together, we can foster a more equitable society, navigate new horizons, and create lasting change.