Reentry Cash Assistance

Millions of Americans have entered a correctional facility only to leave months or years later with no money for food, clothes, or shelter. When Maria left Rikers Island seven years ago, she had nothing but the examples her grandma had given her growing up in gentrifying Brooklyn: be determined, put your family first, and survive anything.

Reentering society after incarceration comes with countless hurdles, from securing stable employment to affording basic necessities. For many, the first few months are the most critical—without financial support, the risk of recidivism increases dramatically. In Denver, George, a participant in the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) program, experienced these challenges firsthand.

In this Q&A story on the impact of reentry cash assistance, we spoke with Perri, who navigated the challenging path of getting back on your feet upon being released on parole. After living in a sober house for two years, Perri discovered the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Denver, which promptly placed them on a beautification transitional work crew and provided a job coach.

Shamar was raised by good women—from his great-grandma, the family matriarch, to his own mother—and he knows how important it is to respect and honor the women in his life.

When Bella grew up in Los Angeles, there were payphones everywhere. Then, returning to the city in 2018 after being incarcerated for twelve years, she said it was like she had “stepped into a different world.”

Matrice, a Denver native, was raised with her brother by a single mother in Kansas City, Missouri. She recalls her mother struggling to raise them alone but says they always made the best of it. Despite being a straight-A, honor-roll student, and a girl scout, Matrice says her mother was very strict. She presumes it was to keep her out of trouble.

For Heather, a Colorado native, things were looking good in 2020 for the first time in awhile. She was released from incarceration in December of 2019 and the following February she began job training and transitional work with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a reentry employment provider. But she was having trouble securing a permanent position.

Billy has been enjoying spending time with his family, including his two boys, who are both in their twenties now, as well as learning to appreciate new outdoor activities, like camping, hiking, and visits to the beach. Things were much harder when he was released.

Losing a job during the pandemic could have been a catastrophe for Shaun. But thanks to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) program and our Returning Citizens Stimulus (RCS) cash assistance, this setback didn’t stop him from achieving economic mobility.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be popular and fit in,” Jose says. “That’s basically how it all started.”

Carmen was 40 years old when she found herself caught in the grips of addiction. Carmen’s life began spiraling out of control, resulting in recurring trips to jail and drug clinics, followed by long stretches of probation. She felt her life was starting over again from scratch every time she returned from incarceration or rehab, with no resources or support system. Carmen’s children grew weary of the seemingly never-ending routine, and cut off contact with their mother.

Growing up surrounded by street gangs in Northern California’s East Bay, Aaron says that he always expected to end up in prison one day, and unfortunately, his fears eventually became a reality. However, after his incarceration, Aaron says that his mindset about life had changed.