Causes: Crime & Law, Inmate Support, Job Training, Prison Alternatives

Mission: We provide support, life and job skills training for people with a history of involvement with the criminal justice system, and place them in employment that offers a sustainable quality of life.

Target demographics: Operation New Hope works to build a stronger community by creating opportunities to realize second chances and reduce recidivism.

Geographic areas served: Northeast, Northwest, and Central Florida

Programs: At Operation New Hope, we created a program to address the problems, concerns, and expectations surrounding employing the formerly incarcerated. Implementing a comprehensive 4-pronged approach (case management, supportive services, job training, and job placement assistance), our Ready4Work reentry program ensures each client succeeds. Upon acceptance into the program, participants are required to remain drug-free and attend a comprehensive job training program. Clients also receive wraparound supportive services tailored to meet their personal needs and goals. Upon acceptance into the Ready4Work program, participants are required to remain drug-free and attend a comprehensive job training program featuring life and employment skills. Clients also receive wraparound supportive services tailored to meet their personal needs and goals. Clients are paired with a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Case Manager who develop and implement an individualized plan of care. Because children of formerly incarcerated parents are 7x more likely to become offenders themselves, our clients with children are paired with a Breaking the Cycle coordinator to create individualized family support and reunification plans designed to correct the cycle of generational incarceration. Each client is also assigned a Job Coach to provide guidance and support, leading to job placement with targeted employment partners. We also partner with post-secondary educational institutions and offer vocational training to provide our clients with a competitive edge that leads to living wage employment. Our team works closely with employers to help them understand the value of hiring Ready4Work graduates which strengthens families and the economy in the communities we serve. Poverty and financial hardship for the formerly incarcerated are main drivers of recidivism. To alleviate immediate financial hardship, clients can earn incentives and stipends while enrolled in the program, and receive financial support to address transportation, vital documents, food and clothing. We partner with transitional houses and pay up to $2,400 per client to ensure safe and stable housing for returning citizens. This support allows clients up to 3 months to focus on securing living wage employment and developing the healthy habits needed to be successful upon reentry. We build stronger communities for formerly incarcerated people by creating opportunities through strategic partnerships with faith-based organizations, local businesses, community partners, and the judicial system. We partner with other nonprofits like Rethreaded, Goodwill, RESTORE, Catholic Charities, Church of Eleven22, Sulzbacher Center, and Agape Health. Our Ready4Work program works. The success of the program is evident in the transformation stories of our clients, enhanced hiring practices for employment partners, healthier communities and families, and better public safety. Our recidivism rate illustrates the success and cost-savings of our programs. The Florida Department of Corrections reports a 3-year recidivism rate of 24.5%. Our Ready4Work program reports a 3-year recidivism rate for the same cohort of 8.64%.