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Our Programs
Residential and non-residential clients of The First 72+ come to us from referrals by the Parole Board, local attorneys, legal organizations, state and federal courts, family members of incarcerated people, and direct inquiries from currently incarcerated people and people recently released. Potential clients who are not currently incarcerated are also free to walk through our doors and do an intake to receive services.
During the first three days we support clients with clothes, food, accessing vital records, enrollment in public benefits, visits with parole/probation, and healthcare (through the FIT Clinic).
We recently built our second transitional house, The Ben Smith Welcome Home Center. Along with our first transitional house, we have 15 available beds for clients coming home. Even if we are not able to house someone, we are able to provide ongoing case management, peer-mentorship, reentry legal services, and support with small business development.
Pre-Release Support
Pre-release is the process that happens prior to a client’s release from incarceration. Pre-release consists of connecting with currently incarcerated clients looking to receive support, and if requested, speaking on behalf of the client to the parole board to advocate for their release. Upon release, we connect clients them with our pre release case manager to create a reentry plan together.
The goals of our pre-release program are twofold:
1) Recruitment - building up our client base, and
2) Advocacy - getting more folks out of prison.
Transitional Housing
In September of 2014 the co-founders of The First 72+ converted an old bail bonds office into a free transitional house for formerly incarcerated men. Residents in our transitional housing program are able to live rent-free for up to 90 days, while receiving access to supportive wrap around services designed to help them achieve independence and self-sustainability.
After undergoing a holistic needs assessment our residents are provided meals, groceries, and clothing, as well as access to wifi and use of a tablet so that they may communicate easily - and safely - with case managers, counselors, and (where necessary) participate in out-patient substance abuse treatment.
Upon completion of the program all clients/residents are considered alumni, and like the founders, are expected to remain involved and to “pay it forward” for the next person in-need.
Case Management
Our reentry coaches assist clients with achieving self-sufficiency. Our coaches are all formerly incarcerated, many are still "on paper" (parole/probation), and they have all personally navigated the many barriers someone faces when they come home. Now they assist others with this same journey.
Together, our team assists clients with connecting to education, employment, healthcare, technology life skills education, public benefits, and long term housing. Through local partners, we connect clients to mental and physical health care, and support with managing substance abuse. We also engage clients in regular social events and promote community/civic engagement.
Public Benefits Clinic
Our Public Benefits Clinic provides one-on-one assistance with applying for government benefit assistance programs, including SNAP, Medicaid benefits, Social Security, and more.
We know that folks just coming out of incarceration, especially long term, do not have the financial stability to support themselves immediately. Financial insecurity remains one of the biggest threats to recidivism. As part of our commitment to each client, we work to ensure that within the first 72 hours of re-entry, each individual is provided with all the wrap-around services available to them.
The Public Benefits clinic is one crucial part of these services. By providing application assistance and education to free services provided by the government, clients can focus on other goals of re-entry without having to worry about their most basic needs, such as food and healthcare.
Technology Life Skills
As a part of our commitment to provide all the resources and tools needed to transition back into society, we have recently started to provide Technology Life Skills Classes to our clients, ensuring that they have the basic digital skills needed to navigate through society. When COVID-19 struck, it showed us how basic digital literacy is necessary to participate fully in society, and simply to survive during the critical period of re-entry. For many of our clients, technology access and literacy is a huge hurdle upon their release-- there is limited access to technology in prison, and technology is needed to access vital support services and resources.
Economic Empowerment
Our Economic Empowerment Department works to enable clients to achieve economic independence and stability through comprehensive support and resources. We address key areas such as banking, transportation, housing, employment, credit, financial literacy, and investing.
The Fountain Fund Low-Interest Loan
We're excited to be partnering with The Fountain Fund to provide low-interest loans and financial literacy education to our clients. Now, formerly incarcerated people who have been experiencing financial barriers to starting a business, paying off debts, or enrolling in continuing education, for example, can receive some assistance through this program. Predatory loan programs or lack of financial literacy have historically left returning citizens open to exploitation, so we are looking forward to fostering financial health in our community, by us and for us. For more information on this program, please see this FAQ, or contact our Economic Empowerment Coordinator Meagan Jordan at 504-252-7885 or meagan@first72plus.org.
9 Steps to Staying Free Class
A series of 9 classes covering a variety of topics relating to interpersonal relationships and emotional wellbeing with Pastor Tyrone, led by him and various staff members. These classes happen weekly on Wednesday at 11:00am. Lunch is also provided. Topics include responding versus reacting, trauma and self care, goalsetting, positive thinking, and more.
If someone is interested, text the client's name and phone number to Pastor Tyrone at 504-782-3616 and he will reach out to them with more details.
Cooking School
The Mission of The First 72+ Cooking School is to provide industry informed training to formerly incarcerated people and upon graduation connect them to gainful and long-term employment in the culinary and restaurant sector. While many formerly incarcerated people leave prison with culinary skills (gained through job assignments and accreditation programs), they have limited to no experience working in a commercial kitchen and / or restaurant setting. By specifically focusing on skills entry level employees are missing, we hope to bridge the skill gap that prohibits formerly incarcerated people from entering the culinary and restaurant sector at a gainful wage, with stable hours, and an upward trajectory.
Lifeskills Classes
Our 10-days Life Skills course helps acclimate clients upon their initial return from incarceration. The class, run in 3-hour blocks, teaches individuals renamed streets, how to use public transportation, and other city-wide changes that have taken place over the past 10 years. Additionally, the course will help participants recognize their strengths and growth areas, how to pitch themselves to an employer, prepare for job interviews, develop a resume, and begin learning about financial literacy.
Alumni Programming
Our Alumni+ program strengthens the bond between The First 72+ and its former clients, providing clients with opportunities to give back, grow personally and professionally, connect with other alumni, and support the next generation of individuals transitioning from incarceration.