Today, 1 in 3 adults in America have a criminal record, limiting their access to education, jobs, housing, and other resources needed to live a good life. One of the most significant struggles faced by ex-convicts after returning to society is the stigma associated with having a criminal record. This stigma can make it difficult for ex-convicts to find a secure job, as employers may be hesitant to hire individuals with a criminal history.
Without a steady source of income, they may struggle to meet basic needs, leading to 68% of former prisoners being rearrested for crimes within 3 years. Additionally, ex-convicts often find it difficult to rebuild relationships with family and friends, as well as form new ones, leading to loneliness. The lack of support can lead to feelings of hopelessness and mental health issues, making it even more difficult for them to return to society successfully.
Supporting ex-convicts after incarceration is crucial for benefitting the individual and the community as a whole. Providing access to employment training, education, and mental health services can help ex-convicts rebuild their lives and become thriving members of society.
These forms of support also reduce the chance of criminals reoffending, which in turn enhances public safety. Helping ex-convicts helps build a more inclusive society where individuals are not perpetually punished for past mistakes but are given an opportunity to move on and live positive lives. This article details 7 great organizations making a meaningful difference in the lives of ex-convicts, offering them a second chance and the support they need to create a better future.
The Fortune Society
The Fortune Society is an organization that was founded in 1967 to advocate for the rights of people impacted by the law. Today they help the formerly convicted become positive and contributing members of society. The Fortune Society provides affordable housing, educational programs, and employment training to ex-convicts to help rebuild their lives and give them fresh opportunities. In addition, the organization also works to heal prison-related trauma and provides treatment and support groups for ex-prisoners battling drug abuse.
The Fortune Society teaches ex-prisoners digital skills, culinary arts, and commercial driving to help them succeed in multiple career paths. Today, the organization offers supportive services to over 11,000 ex-convicts each year, helping them recover from past experiences, gain new opportunities, and rebuild their lives. Donations to The Fortune Society support individuals’ successful return to society after incarceration, helping them overcome barriers to housing, employment, and healthcare.
Root and Rebound
Root and Rebound is an organization that was founded in 2013 to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for people with criminal records. Today, the organization helps people reenter society and works to decrease the impact of incarceration. Robot and Rebound helps ex-offenders know their rights and opportunities after prison to make good choices. They run a hotline with free legal advice for formerly convicted people.
In addition to this, the organization also provides legal clinics to give one-on-one coaching from legal teams to help people clear their records and find career opportunities. Since their founding, Root and Rebound has offered direct support to over 10,000 ex-convicts through their hotlines and legal teams, helping them resolve legal issues, find employment, and secure their lives. Donations to Root and Rebound help reduce barriers and increase opportunities for people with criminal records by providing legal support.
A New Way of Life
A New Way of Life is an organization founded in 1998 to provide former prisoners with resources and support services that were unavailable in their communities. Today, the organization provides ex-offenders with housing, treatments, and other recovery services. A New Way of Life runs The SAFE Housing Network, which helps ex-inmates recover from the trauma of incarceration and encourages them to move on from the cycle of imprisonment.
The organization also provides legal clinics to help people clear their criminal records and support formerly imprisoned parents to restore their relationships with their children. Since its founding, A New Way of Life has helped almost 4,000 formerly incarcerated people reconnect with their communities and clean their conviction history through clinical and counseling services. Donations to A New Way of Life support housing, legal services, advocacy, and psychological for individuals rebuilding their lives after prison.
Second Chance Center
Second Chance Center was founded in 2012 to provide education, support, and resources for the formerly convicted. Today, they provide case management to ex-prisoners so that they can rebuild their lives and become thriving members of society. The Second Chance Center works to reverse the negative impact of incarceration and encourages positive habits for former convicts. For this, the organization constructs plants with individual ex-inmates to help them succeed in life.
The Second Chance Center offers employment services to prepare them for jobs and also provides housing options for them until they can settle into their own homes. Since its founding, the organization has continued to help thousands of incarcerated people every year transition to lives of success and fulfillment. Donations to Second Chance Center, support counselling, employment training, and other essential resources to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society.
Project Return
Project Return is an organization founded in 1979 to provide ex-offenders with more opportunities after reentry. Today, the organization offers employment training and other supportive services to the formerly incarcerated. Project Return works to reduce recidivism and increase employment by providing people returning from prison with immediate paid jobs and career support. They offer work experience through temporary services that help employees earn money and learn job skills.
Project Return also provides support for financial coaching, identification documents, and medical appointments to provide comprehensive rehabilitation. Since its founding, Project Return has assisted hundreds of individuals every year to find employment, and housing, and start new lives after incarceration. Donations to Project Return support the successful new beginnings of individuals reentering the community after incarceration, helping them rebuild their lives and achieve success and fulfillment.
The Safer Foundation
The Safer Foundation was an organization founded in 1972 to create a road for formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reenter society. Today, the organization provides stable employment, education, and support to empower these individuals to achieve their true potential. The Safer Foundation runs mental health programs to help ex-convicts develop strategies to navigate their lives after reentry. They address needs and assist with anger management classes and substance use counselling.
The Safer Foundation provides legal assistance, housing, and education for ex-inmates to rebalance their lives and learn skills for employment options. Today, the organization helps over 5,000 formerly imprisoned people each year to improve their lives, helping thousands of them find employment and improve their mental health. Donations to the Safer Foundation help break the cycle of recidivism by providing people the opportunity for a second chance through mental health support and employment opportunities.
Anti-Recidivism Coalation
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition was founded in 2013 to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with positive mentors to provide encouragement and guidance. Today, the organization provides reentry support and advocates for policy changes to end mass incarceration. The Anti-Recidivism Coalition helps ex-prisoners clear their criminal records and overcome legal barriers. They also offer transitional housing facilities and supportive services to improve the lives of ex-offenders and reduce recidivism.
They also offer trauma counselling to improve their emotional well-being. Since its founding, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition has provided over 160,000 hours of counselling and supportive services for over 6,000 formerly incarcerated people, also providing thousands of them housing and therapy sessions. Donations to the Anti-Recidivism Coalition support efforts to end mass incarceration by empowering formerly and currently incarcerated individuals through reentry services and support networks, promoting safer and more equitable communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 7 organizations are vital in helping ex-convicts rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. By providing crucial resources such as housing, employment training, legal support, and mental health services, they offer ex-convicts a chance at redemption and growth. Their efforts help individuals overcome the challenges of reentry and contribute to safer, more inclusive communities. Supporting these organizations is an investment in the potential of every person to change and thrive, ultimately fostering a more just and compassionate society.
