|
|
Returning home from incarceration
According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, about 9 million individuals are released from prison every year. For many of these people, re-integrating into their communities is difficult. Finding housing and employment are particular challenges.
In April, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued guidelines requiring landlords to weigh the nature and severity of a crime and conviction when considering an applicant's application. A number of NeighborWorks network organizations offer programs and services that help former prisoners successfully reach their goals and become strong members of their communities.
|
|
|
|
|
Resident leader takes ex-offenders ‘under her wing’
|
|
|
|
Debra Stanley, a board member of NeighborWorks network member South Bend Heritage Foundation, had already started her own nonprofit focused on AIDS prevention when she joined a local violence-intervention coalition.
Soon, she had expanded her work to include a peer-to-peer support group for individuals recently released from prison. |
|
|
|
|
Nonprofit takes financial education into prison |
|
|
While most services that support individuals released from prison start when they return to their community, Robert Corley, executive director of NeighborWorks Southern Mass, decided to start much earlier.
Corley recently visited a local prison to teach two classes as part of a series on financial education—to a very engaged
audience. He says the security procedures required were intimidating, but the rewards from appreciative students were worth it. |
|
|
|
|
Job training program becomes family affair for Florida man
|
|
|
A criminal conviction can be a significant roadblock for job seekers. NeighborWorks network member CDC of Tampa sponsors a job-readiness training and placement program that helps residents with “background challenges” find sustainable employment.
Dwaine is one success story. He completed the nonprofit’s Steppin’ Stones Job Readiness Training, in which he set goals and the actions needed to achieve them. Then, CDC of Tampa’s Career Resource Center helped him find a job. Meanwhile, he saved money to buy a bike and then a truck to secure reliable transportation. Today, he is stable and self-sufficient, and his daughter is working with the nonprofit to find a job as well. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|