Chances 4 Change Re-Entry Resource Access Center

Income Inequality

South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

Justice-involved citizens attempting to re-integrate into their communities face barriers such as securing and maintaining jobs, housing, and public assistance. These men and women receive minimal preparation and inadequate service and resources while incarcerated, which challenges their reintegration, and increases the likelihood of returning to criminal activity and the possibility of being re-arrested. Many of them have experienced incarceration to the degree that it becomes challenging to make the appropriate transitions to maintain and sustain employment & housing, establish healthy boundaries & relationships, and navigate the systems that enable them to strive & thrive in their communities.

The Chances 4 Chance Re-Entry Resource Access Center shall be designed with a "no wrong door" holistic approach that allows clients to access services anytime after interacting with the criminal legal system; in an open, safe, and welcoming environment. Our primary focus will be to provide direct services to justice-involved individuals; the services provided shall be evidence-based, client-centered, and informed by the experiences of people with justice involvement. Services will include but are not limited to integrated case management- this case management program will assess individual risks, clients' needs and responsivity, positive reinforcement, sanctions, and continuous progress tracking across various program phases; employment preparation- this program will prepare justice-involved individuals for re-entry into the workforce with a goal-oriented focus, real-world job skills & knowledge, and a renewed self-confidence needed to find and retain long-term employment; housing stabilization support- this program will connect justice-involved individuals to available housing resources and identify creative ways to address their housing needs by collaborating with housing and homeless assistance systems such as the Public Housing Authority and Continuum of Care; personal development- this program will provide interpersonal, life, and social skills training to justice-involved individuals that utilize cognitive behavioral programs.

Our vision is to empower returning citizens who have served their time and paid their debt to society; to support them in competing for jobs, attain stable housing, support their children and families, and contribute to their communities; and to create safer neighborhoods. Chances 4 Change, Inc. shall embody a client-centered, "whatever it takes" approach and provide excellent customer services sensitive to the challenges facing justice-involved individuals reintegrating into the community, mentoring, motivating, and empowering our clients to reenter their communities successfully. It is vital that services provided to citizens returning to South Los Angeles specifically target their individual needs. Providing these reentry services helps to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and help former offenders rebuild their lives.

Chances 4 Change, Inc. intends to measure the success of the program by tracking: 1) # of program participants placed in living wage jobs 2) # of program participants linked to appropriate housing programs 3) # of program participants rearrested while enrolled in the program