Know someone who needs help after coming home from prison? Kansas City has options
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Returning home after being in prison is a challenging transition. The world has changed so much, and it can be overwhelming to someone who has been excluded from society.
There are resources in Kansas City that can help. If you or a loved one are having trouble re-entering a new landscape, here are a few places that can get you where you need to go.
KC Redemption
KC Redemption helps recently released residents reacclimate into society with vocational and social skills training. It also helps people find housing and jobs. Mark Byrd, the president and founder of New Reflections Technical Institute, has run KC Redemption for the past nine years.
“In most cases they’re not just re-entering society, they’re re-entering their family’s lives,” Byrd said. “If you’ve done eight years in prison, you’ve lost eight years of time with them. You just don’t go home and say, ‘Honey, I’m home.’”
Byrd said that one of the most complex parts of supporting people coming home from prison has been finding landlords that will rent property to recently released residents. The organization has created a pool of landlords who will, and also helps people prepare their credit.
Transitioning back into life in Kansas City gets easier once someone gets a job because that’s the first step to renting or purchasing a home, Byrd said.
You have to apply to be a part of KC Redemption’s program, so if you or a loved one are interested, you can apply here. You can also visit New Reflections Technical Institute or call 816-361-5239 for more assistance.
Second Chance
Second Chance is a program that works directly with people on probation or parole. Tracy Kirksey, the director, said they assist in three areas:
Job readiness training — They have access to felon-friendly employers in Kansas City, provide interviewing skills classes, resume building, transportation assistance and referrals for clothing
Housing — like KC Redemption, they have a list of felon-friendly landlords, one-time financial assistance for the first month’s rent or deposit, a tenant rights and responsibilities class, and they provide referrals for furnishing a home.
Personal needs — they’ll provide access to substance abuse, mental health and education programs, along with helping people receive basic health needs like eyeglasses and prescriptions.
Second Chance is under the Jackson County COMBAT umbrella, which provides funding to programs that assist with re-entry through The Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax. Vince Ortega, the director, talked about a couple of the other programs that are funded by this local tax too.
Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation
They have a Prison-to-Workforce pipeline program, which has become a critical re-entry and re-socialization tool by helping formerly incarcerated people with job training, education and finding housing. The program has helped over 100 residents secure full-time employment, housing and reunite with their families.
You can call 816-218-6242 or email twelfthstreetheritage@gmail.com for more information on how this program can provide you or a loved one with assistance.
Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC Foundation
The foundation provides jobs through the Workforce Opportunities for Returning Citizens program, which started in 2020 to address employment needs for returning residents and educate employers on the need for jobs to go to formerly incarcerated individuals.
You can call 816-374-5455 for more information on how you or a loved can get help from this program.
Village Initiative Inc.
Located in Kansas City, Kansas, this program provides re-entry support services, such as housing, employment, utility assistance, obtaining state IDs and other important documents. Due to COVID-19, they’re only available with an appointment.
To make an appointment, contact them here or call 913-291-1600. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and only open for scheduled appointments on Saturday.