Non-Profit Organization near Chicago, Illinois

What We Do

JOB TRAINING

Benefits of Job training programs for recently released inmates are crucial for several reasons:
1. **Reducing Recidivism:** Access to job training programs increases the likelihood of finding stable employment, which is one of the most significant factors in reducing recidivism rates. When individuals have marketable skills and employment opportunities, they are less likely to return to criminal behavior.

2. **Building Marketable Skills:** Many inmates lack the necessary skills and qualifications to secure employment upon release. Job training programs provide them with vocational skills, such as carpentry, welding, culinary arts, or computer programming, making them more employable and helping them reintegrate into society.

3. **Empowering Individuals:** Job training programs empower former inmates by providing them with the tools and resources needed to support themselves financially and contribute positively to their communities. It helps restore their sense of dignity and self-worth.

4. **Breaking the Cycle of Poverty:** Former inmates often face significant barriers to employment due to their criminal records and lack of education or job experience. Job training programs offer them a chance to break the cycle of poverty by acquiring skills that lead to better-paying jobs and economic stability.

5. **Promoting Public Safety:** When individuals have access to legitimate employment opportunities, they are less likely to resort to criminal activities to meet their financial needs. Thus, job training programs contribute to overall public safety by reducing crime rates and promoting community well-being. Overall, job training programs play a crucial role in the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society, benefiting both the individuals themselves and the communities they return to

GED TRAINING & ASSISTANCE

Providing GED (General Educational Development) training to recently released inmates offers several benefits:

1. **Increased Employability:** A GED credential improves the job prospects of former inmates by opening doors to employment opportunities that require a high school diploma or equivalent. It broadens their options for career paths and higher-paying jobs.

2. **Higher Education Access:** With a GED, individuals may pursue higher education opportunities, such as vocational training programs, community college courses, or even university degrees. This expands their skill set and improves their long-term career prospects.

3. **Personal Development:** GED training fosters personal growth and self-confidence among inmates by equipping them with essential academic skills and knowledge. It demonstrates their capability to achieve educational milestones, boosting their self-esteem and motivation.

4. **Reduced Recidivism:** Research shows a correlation between education and lower recidivism rates. By providing GED training, correctional facilities and reentry programs help inmates develop the educational foundation necessary to pursue lawful, fulfilling lives upon release, reducing their likelihood of reoffending.

5. **Positive Community Impact:** Individuals who earn their GEDs are better positioned to contribute positively to their communities. They are more likely to obtain stable employment, support their families, and engage in civic activities, leading to overall community improvement.

6. **Financial Benefits:** A GED can lead to higher earning potential over a person's lifetime. By investing in GED training for inmates, society can potentially save on costs associated with incarceration and dependence on social welfare programs, as individuals become more self-sufficient. In summary, providing GED training to recently released inmates offers a pathway to better employment opportunities, personal growth, reduced recidivism, positive community impact, and long-term financial benefits. It is an investment in both the individual's future and the welfare of society as a whole.

Resume Writing Assistance

Resume help for recently released inmates provides numerous benefits:

1. **Facilitates Reentry into the Workforce:** Many inmates lack experience in creating professional resumes or may have gaps in their employment history due to incarceration. Resume help equips them with the skills and confidence needed to effectively showcase their qualifications and experiences to potential employers.

2. **Increases Employability:** A well-crafted resume highlights an individual's strengths, skills, and relevant experiences, making them more attractive candidates to employers. This can lead to increased job opportunities and higher chances of securing employment.

3. **Builds Self-Confidence:** Creating a resume can be a confidence-building exercise for former inmates, as it allows them to reflect on their accomplishments and skills. It provides them with a tangible tool to demonstrate their value to employers, boosting their self-esteem and motivation.

4. **Addresses Employment Barriers:** Former inmates often face stigma and discrimination when seeking employment. A professionally crafted resume can help mitigate these barriers by focusing on their qualifications and experiences, rather than their criminal history.

5. **Promotes Accountability and Goal Setting:** Working on a resume requires individuals to set goals, organize their thoughts, and take ownership of their professional development. It encourages them to take proactive steps towards their employment goals and reinforces the importance of accountability in the job search process.

6. **Enhances Communication Skills:** Crafting a resume involves articulating one's skills, experiences, and career goals concisely and effectively. This process helps individuals develop and improve their communication skills, which are valuable in job interviews and professional settings.

7. **Supports Long-Term Success:** A well-written resume is a valuable tool that individuals can continue to use throughout their careers. By learning how to create and update their resumes, former inmates gain a skill that can support their long-term success and advancement in the workforce. Overall, resume help for recently released inmates serves as a critical component of their reentry into society by improving their employability, boosting their confidence, addressing employment barriers, promoting accountability and goal setting, enhancing communication skills, and supporting their long-term success in the workforce.

Mental Health & Socio-Emotional Health Services

Providing mental health services to inmates offers several benefits:
1. **Improves Rehabilitation Outcomes:** Addressing mental health issues among inmates can contribute to successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society. By treating underlying mental health conditions, individuals are better equipped to address the root causes of their criminal behavior and develop coping strategies for managing their emotions and behaviors.

2. **Reduces Recidivism:** Untreated mental health issues are often linked to higher rates of recidivism among inmates. By providing mental health services, correctional facilities can help break the cycle of incarceration by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behavior, thereby reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

3. **Enhances Institutional Safety:** Inmates with untreated mental health issues may be more prone to disruptive or violent behavior, posing risks to themselves, other inmates, and staff members. Providing mental health services can help mitigate these risks and create a safer and more stable institutional environment.

4. **Promotes Individual Well-being:** Mental health services can improve the overall well-being and quality of life for inmates by addressing their psychological and emotional needs. This can lead to reduced levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improved self-esteem and resilience.

5. **Supports Community Safety:** Treating mental health issues among inmates not only benefits the individuals themselves but also contributes to public safety upon their release. By addressing mental health needs and providing support services, former inmates are better equipped to reintegrate into their communities in a positive and productive manner, reducing the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

6. **Addresses Equity and Social Justice:** Access to mental health services in correctional settings helps address disparities in healthcare access and treatment outcomes among marginalized populations, including individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and histories of trauma. It promotes equity and social justice by ensuring that all inmates have access to the care and support they need to thrive.

Overall, providing mental health services to inmates is essential for promoting rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, enhancing institutional safety, promoting individual well-being, supporting community safety, and addressing equity and social justice in the criminal justice system.

Drivers License/State ID Assistance

Providing driver's license and state identification assistance to recently released inmates offers several benefits:

1. **Facilitates Reentry into Society:** Having a valid driver's license or state identification card is often essential for accessing employment, housing, education, healthcare, and other essential services. By assisting recently released inmates in obtaining these documents, reentry programs help them reintegrate into society more smoothly.

2. **Increases Employability:** Many employers require a valid driver's license or state ID as part of the hiring process. By helping former inmates obtain these documents, reentry programs expand their job opportunities and increase their chances of securing employment.

3. **Promotes Financial Independence:** A driver's license or state ID enables individuals to open bank accounts, cash checks, and engage in other financial transactions independently. This promotes financial stability and independence among recently released inmates, reducing their reliance on social services and public assistance programs.

4. **Supports Transportation Needs:** For individuals without access to reliable public transportation, a driver's license enables them to travel to and from work, attend appointments, and fulfill other daily responsibilities more easily. This can improve their overall quality of life and reduce barriers to success.

5. **Fosters Legal Compliance:** Driving without a valid license or identification card can result in legal consequences, including fines, citations, and even re-arrest. By ensuring that recently released inmates have the necessary documentation, reentry programs help them avoid legal entanglements and stay on the right side of the law.

6. **Enhances Personal Safety:** A driver's license or state ID provides individuals with a form of official identification, which can be important for personal safety and security purposes. It allows them to verify their identity in various situations and reduces the likelihood of identity theft or fraud.

7. **Promotes Dignity and Self-Respect:** Access to a driver's license or state ID restores a sense of dignity and self-respect among recently released inmates by affording them the same rights and privileges as other members of society. It symbolizes a fresh start and a tangible step towards rebuilding their lives. Overall, providing driver's license and state identification assistance to recently released inmates is crucial for promoting successful reentry, increasing employability, promoting financial independence, supporting transportation needs, fostering legal compliance, enhancing personal safety, and promoting dignity and self-respect.