The community-based re-entry and transitional housing program incorporates
- Housing
- Legal Aid
- Case Management
- Medical and Mental Health Services
- Educational Programming
- Community Organizing
- Employment Opportunities
Formerly incarcerated persons, community allies, and members of the surrounding neighborhood will manage Focus Initiatives’ cooperative-style housing. This model is designed to meet the needs of both formerly incarcerated individuals, and our neighbors.
The project and programs were envisioned and developed by our team of currently and formerly incarcerated persons in collaboration with community allies. In addition to this leadership, we rely on the latest data-driven research regarding the lasting impact of transitional housing and re-entry programming. Focus Initiatives draws inspiration from successful grassroots re-entry programs, such as Planting Justice in the San Francisco Bay Area. Like Planting Justice, we are interested in organizing in communities heavily impacted by incarceration to solve issues of of food access. To that end, we are developing a partnership with Mutton Creek Farm in Seymour, Indiana, which will offer employment and training opportunities in the field of sustainable agriculture to FOCUS program participants. We are also inspired A New Way of Life, a beautiful example of an abolitionist re-entry project for women in Los Angeles.
We will evaluate the success of our program on the basis of its effectiveness in supporting members in developing their sense of empowerment and self-efficacy, and making progress toward their goals. Our programming will focus on preventing re-incarceration, establishing stable employment, and encouraging community involvement. Expect regular reporting on this website.
