G L O B A L B R I E F I N G R E P O RT J A RV I S C H R I S T I A N C O L L E G E
wage employment, housing, and medical/mental health support. *Men of Nehemiah23 This Christian organization is designed to rebuild the lives of men and families that have been torn apart by the vicious onslaught of poverty, homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, crime, and violence. Miles of Freedom24 MOF25 was founded by Mr. Richard Miles who finally was fully exonerated and released after 15 years in federal prison for a crime he did not commit. He used money from the settlement to establish a ‘whole person’ enrichment program for the previously incarcerated integrating Pre–Release Support Services, Re– Entry Assistance, Working Wage Employment, and the ‘Men & Women of the Future’ outreach program for children and youth. So far, MOF has placed 400 ex–offenders in the Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas (USA) area in jobs paying a living wage of at least $15.00 per hour.26 GAF Roofing Academy27 The GAF Roofing Academy graduated their first class in Fontana, CA in May 2020 which included the formerly incarcerated as students. Based on the Center for Advancement of Roofing Excellence28 curriculum, participants can access industry–specific professional educational programs. The local GAF Roofing Academy in the Dallas/Fort Worth location looks to advance a partnership with the Dallas Leadership Foundation to place ex–offenders living in halfway houses at this stage of their release into the roofing training program. Successful completion of the GAF program can prepare candidates to sit for a Texas licensing credential.
“GAF Roofing Academy believes in promoting second chances by providing training, personal development, and steady employment opportunities. We continue to partner with the formerly incarcerated throughout the nation in order to contribute to their successful transition while providing qualified candidates to the roofing industry. Learning a desirable skill, like roofing, and obtaining gainful employment is
Tynisha Battles; Chartaveoua Graggs; James Reed, Dallas Leadership Foundation Re-Entry Director; Keyante Randall
essential to becoming a valuable part of any community and GAF Roofing Academy is able to provide that.” Ms. Wesley Jobes, Program Manager Talent Management & Organizational Effectiveness | Roofing Academy 29 Dallas, Texas | May 13, 2020
Dallas Leadership Foundation (DLF)30 The “Second Chance Workers” Pilot at the local Hutchins State Jail is a pre– and–post–readiness/reintroduction program for a rotating population of 200 inmates with short-term sentences lasting 6 months or 1–2 years in length. In a May 8, 2020 telephone interview with Mr. James Reed, DLF Re-Entry Director, he discussed the mission of the DLF in light of their participation in the Enactus “It Takes a Village” project and new challenges posed by the COVID–19 pandemic.
Talk to us about how things are going with your re-entry program at the Hutchins State Jail in Dallas in the midst of the COVID–19 pandemic. We’ve been having a lot of bad outcomes at the prison…real serious increase of those testing positive for COVID–19. The Dallas County Sheriff refused to speak about the volume of positive cases in the city/county jails…even refusing to meet with clergy. In our Program dorms, today was the first day to visit from being on medical lockdown. We were given only a couple of hours…and had to be outfitted in protective gear head–to–toe. We understand from an empathy and sympathy point of view what inmates are experiencing now… being compounded by COVID–19…But, DLF still believes in the mission…We identify, affirm, and develop those individuals in prison, schools, and →
The JfFN approach echoes many conclusions of the Prison Policy Initiative (2018): “Finding gainful employment is key to keeping them [ex–felons] out of trouble. With a decent income, they can better take care of themselves and their families. 67