Resources by Regions of Virginia
Map sourced from University of Virginia - Demographics Research Group.
Click the below regions to jump to their section.
Need help finding which community colleges are near you? Use this link: Find your College | Virginia's Community Colleges (vccs.edu)
Central
Eastern
Hampton Roads
Northern
Southwest
Southside
Valley
West Central
Residents Outside of Virginia
RESOURCES BY REGIONS OF VIRGINIA
We try to keep this site updated as often as we can. Still, links which might work today are not working tomorrow. We know this is frustrating at times. If you have located a good resource, or if you find a link does not open or work properly, please contact Angela Lawhorne at alawhorne@vccs.edu
Instructions: The computer mouse controls the cursor, that on-screen line shaped like a black arrow or letter “I” that tells you where you are looking on the screen. Take your computer mouse in your hand. Physically move the mouse, paying attention to where the cursor is. Position the cursor over the words in blue. This is called a hyperlink. Now, press down (click) the upper-right hand corner of the mouse, and a menu will appear. Move the cursor down to “open the hyperlink” and click the upper left side of the mouse. The link will open, giving you access you want to read.
Pro tip: Remember that organizations that provide services are also hiring people to help. Look for their job postings under “Careers” tab or “About” tab.
NORTHERN
(COUNTIES: ARLINGTON, CLARKE, CULPEPER, FAIRFAX, FAUQUIER, KING GEORGE, LOUDOUN, PRINCE WILLIAM, RAPPAHANNOCK, SPOTSYLVANIA, STAFFORD, WARREN ~ CITIES: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX, FALLS CHURCH, FREDERICKSBURG, MANASSAS, MANASSAS PARK)
https://interwapp14.loudoun.gov/wrcw/ (Loudoun County job training classes at no cost to you!)
OAR-Arlington
Service Area:
Pre-release Services Provided in: Arlington County Detention Center, Alexandria Detention Center, Coffeewood Correctional Center
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church
Contact Information:
1400 N. Uhle Street, Suite 704
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 228-7519
Fax: (703) 228-3981
Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Acting Executive Director| ejones@oaronline.org
Katy Steinbruck, Deputy Director| ksteinbruck@oaronline.org
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Sheriffs-Office/Programs/Reentry-Committee (Arlington County residents only)
Reentry Services : Offender Aid and Restoration (oaronline.org) (available in many communities, this one is based in Arlington County. Also active branches in Fairfax and Loudoun counties)
OAR-Fairfax
Pre-release Services Provided in: Fairfax Adult Detention Center, Fairfax Jail Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB), Loudoun Adult Detention Center, Loudoun County Work Release Center, Prince William Adult Detention Center
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties; Cities of Fairfax and Manassas
Contact Information:
10640 Page Avenue, Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22030-4015
Phone: (703) 246-3033
Fax: (703) 273-7554
Derwin Overton, Executive Director | doverton@oarfairfax.org
Jacqueline Murphy, Program Director | jmurphy@oarfairfax.org
Caring Connections | FailSafe Era Support Group | Virginia (failsafe-era.org)
https://www.failsafe-era.org/scholarships
https://www.loudounserenity.org/
EASTERN
(COUNTIES: ACCOMACK, ESSEX ~ CITIES: KING & QUEEN, LANCASTER, MIDDLESEX, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHUMBERLAND, RICHMOND, WESTMORELAND)
Accomack County Department of Social Services (DSS) | Rise4Me™, LLC
Northern Neck Regional Jail Reentry & Transition Services
Pre-release Services Provided in: Northern Neck Regional Jail
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in the Counties of: Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond County, and Westmoreland
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1090
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-6006
Fax: (804) 333-6029
Auriel Walker, Director | awalker@nnrj.state.va.us
Jamie Segar, Case Manager | jsegar@nnrj.state.va.us
STEP-UP, Inc.
Pre-release Services Provided in: Chesapeake Correctional Center, Hampton City Jail, Newport News City Jail, Norfolk City Jail, Portsmouth City Jail, Virginia Beach City Jail, and the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.
Pre-release Assistance provided in the State Corrections Centers: Deerfield, Greensville, Haynesville, Indian Creek, St. Brides, Sussex I and II
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Wakefield; Accomack, Isle of Wight, Northampton and Southampton, Surry, and Sussex Counties.
Contact Information:
5900 E Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 102
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 588-3151
Fax: (757) 587-4507
Sandra Brandt, Executive Director | sbrandt@stepupincorporated.org
HAMPTON ROADS
(COUNTIES: GLOUCESTER, ISLE OF WIGHT, JAMES CITY, MATHEWS, SURRY, YORK ~ CITY: CHESAPEAKE, HAMPTON, NEWPORT NEWS, NORFOLK, POQUOSON, PORTSMOUTH, SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA BEACH, WILLIAMSBURG)
Brittany Howard
Family Services Assistant
Portsmouth Dept. of Social Services
1701 High St, Portsmouth VA 23704
Phone: (757) 405-1800 ext. 8186
CARES T.E.A.M. | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website (reentry services in City of Norfolk)
Colonial Community Corrections Transitional Services
Service Area:
Pre-release Services Provided in: Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in the Counties of: James City, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and York
Contact Information:
4093 Ironbound Rd., Suite B
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 564-2311
Fax: (757) 229-8963
Hal Diggs, Director | Hal.Diggs@jamescitycountyva.gov
STEP-UP, Inc.
Pre-release Services Provided in: Chesapeake Correctional Center, Hampton City Jail, Newport News City Jail, Norfolk City Jail, Portsmouth City Jail, Virginia Beach City Jail, and the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.
Pre-release Assistance provided in the State Corrections Centers: Deerfield, Greensville, Haynesville, Indian Creek, St. Brides, Sussex I and II
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Wakefield; Accomack, Isle of Wight, Northampton and Southampton, Surry, and Sussex Counties.
Contact Information:
5900 E Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 102
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 588-3151
Fax: (757) 587-4507
Sandra Brandt, Executive Director | sbrandt@stepupincorporated.org
Step Up, Inc. | Norfolk, Virginia (stepupincorporated.org)
CENTRAL
(COUNTIES: ALBEMARLE, AMELIA, CAROLINE, CHESTERFIELD, DINWIDDIE, FLUVANNA, GOOCHLAND, GREENE, HANOVER, HENRICO, KING WILLIAM, LOUISA, MADISON, NELSON, NEW KENT, ORANGE, POWHATAN, PRINCE GEORGE ~ CITIES: CHARLES CITY, CHARLOTTESVILLE, COLONIAL HEIGHTS, HOPEWELL, PETERSBURG, RICHMOND)
https://exoffenders.net/reentry-programs-assistance/virginia/
https://www.peopleinc.net/find-a-service/ (child care, child health services, housing, employment/training, court-appointed advocacy, business loans, battered & abused housing and counseling, & more)
Participant Resources | Nolef Turns, Inc. (housing, substance abuse resources, social advocacy especially for housing and second chance legislation)
Programs by Assisting Families of Inmates serving Midlothian, VA | findhelp.org (click on badges for each service at the top of the screen. It will list how many services and what they offer)
OAR-Jefferson Area Community Corrections
Pre-release Services Provided in: Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail, Central Virginia Regional Jail, Piedmont Halfway House
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange & Nelson Counties; City of Charlottesville
Contact Information:
750 Harris St., Suite 207
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 296-2441
Fax: (434) 979-4038
Pat Smith, Executive Director | psmith@oar-jacc.org
Ross Carew, Executive Director | rcarew@oar-jacc.org
OAR-Richmond
Pre-release Services Provided in: Chesterfield County Jail, Henrico County Regional East and West Jails, City of Richmond Justice Center, Pamunkey Regional Jail
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in: City of Richmond; Town of Ashland; Caroline, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and New Kent Counties
Contact Information:
3111 W. Clay Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 643-2746
Fax: (804) 643-1187
Sara Dimick, Executive Director | sdimick@oarric.org
Hilary Page, MSW, Reentry Program Services | hpage@oarric.org
OAR of Richmond (oarric.org) (pre- and post-reentry services; violent offender reentry program, youth training programs, jail mental health initiative, life skills, job readiness, bicycle transportation)
https://resilience-education.org/case-collection (Charlottesville-based entrepreneurship education program, currently for incarcerated students. Available through Darden Business School at UVA; other campuses at Wharton Business School in PA, and Columbia University in New York City.)
SOUTHSIDE
(COUNTIES: BRUNSWICK, BUCKINGHAM, CHARLOTTE, CUMBERLAND, GREENSVILLE, HALIFAX, HENRY, LUNENBURG, MECKLENBURG, NOTTOWAY, PATRICK, PITTSYLVANIA, PRINCE EDWARD, SOUTHAMPTON, SUSSEX ~ CITIES: DANVILLE, EMPORIA, FRANKLIN, MARTINSVILLE)
LOC Family Services
1012 W 3rd St. Suite J
Farmville, Virginia 23901 (Prince Edward County)
(434) 547-2545
Contact: Shelley Mays-Couch
STEP, Inc. (Solutions That Empower People)
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in Franklin and Patrick Counties.
Contact Information:
200 Dent Street (Central Office)
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
or
10 E. Church St.,
Martinsville, Virginia 24112
(540)483-5142
SOUTHWEST
(COUNTIES: BLAND, BUCHANAN, GRAYSON, LESS RUSSELL, SCOTT, SMYTH, TAXEWELL, WASHINGTON, WISE, WYTHE ~ CITIES: BRISTOL, GALAX, NORTON
https://www.peopleinc.net/find-a-service/ (child care, child health services, housing, employment/training, court-appointed advocacy, business loans, battered & abused housing and counseling, & more)
Our Team — Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence (H.O.P.E.) Inc.
(Wytheville, Virginia)
WEST CENTRAL
(COUNTIES: AMHERST, APPOMATTOX, BEDFORD, BOTETOURT, CAMPBELL, CRAIG, FLOYD, FRANKLIN, GILES, MONTGOMERY, PULASKI, ROANOKE ~ CITIES: LYNCHBURG, RADFORD, ROANOKE, SALEM)
https://tapintohope.org/program/reentry-program/ (Roanoke, Botecourt, Alleghany, Covington, Salem )
STEP, Inc. (Solutions That Empower People)
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in Franklin and Patrick Counties.
Contact Information:
200 Dent Street (Central Office)
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
or
10 E. Church St.,
Martinsville, Virginia 24112
(540)483-5142
VALLEY
(COUNTIES: ALLEGHANY, AUGUSTA, BATH, FREDERICK, HIGHLAND, PAGE, ROCKBRIDGE, ROCKINGHAM, SHENANDOAH ~ CITIES: BUENA VISTA, COVINGTON, HARRISONBURG, LEXINGTON, STAUNTON, WAYNESBORO, WINCHESTER
Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center
Offender Reentry and Transitional Program
Prerelease Services Provided in: Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center
Post-Incarceration Services to Clients Residing in the Counties of: N/A
Contact Information:
141 Fort Collier Road
Winchester, VA 22603
Phone:(540) 665-6374
Fax: 540-678-1339
Kimberly Rodrique, Coordinator | krodri@fcva.us
https://www.peopleinc.net/find-a-service/ (child care, child health services, housing, employment/training, court-appointed advocacy, business loans, battered & abused housing and counseling, & more)
https://tapintohope.org/programs/ (many Roanoke-area programs, including Second Chances)
COMMON TO ALL REGIONS:
https://vadoc.virginia.gov/family-and-friends/ (Resources to guide loved ones after you are arrested)
VCEWorkforceDevelopmentJobReference.pdf (govce.net) (contact for a job reference if you worked in a carceral facility)
https://vcwcapital.com/jobseekers/return-learn-earn/ (registration for employment search, documents needed, tips on job searching, interviewing, legal rights for justice-impacted job-seekers)
https://btgva.org/ (Bridging the Gap organization founded by formerly incarcerated person, seeks justice in housing, employment, civil rights; provides opportunities for employment in cutting edge environmental projects around Virginia.)
https://www.restore.virginia.gov/resources-for-returning-citizens/ (explanation and links to service for formerly incarcerated individuals, such as drug treatment programs, restoring voting rights, healthcare resources, employment, and more)
Programs for Offenders — Virginia Department of Corrections (provides information on programs and credentials inmates can access. Listed by DOC facility)
Virginia Community Action Reentry System - (vacares.org) (multi-agency consortium of groups dedicated to reentry services. Check out Va Cares Affiliates tab at the top of this page for services in your community)
(From Indeed.com: How to transfer what you knew before prison & what you learned in prison to the outside. Also deals with emotional-control and mindfulness.
National Reentry Resource Center (a division of United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, the Center offers fellowships to incarcerated people, resources, research, and more. Not the place to go for quick jobs or housing but for the person who is highly motivated)
https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2020/RD543/PDF (VA DOC 2020 report on available programs/resources in each state agency by topic and location)
(US Health and Human Services Department resources to help individuals and communities affected by substance abuse issues)
https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/support-friends-family-of-prisoners/loved-one-getting-released-dont-3-things/ (advice for family of incarcerated returning; other tabs have resources for every group - pastors, justice reform advocates, and much more)
Money Management for Formerly Incarcerated People – The list contains over 150 resources for re-entry support and money management basics specifically for those coming out of incarceration.
Second Chance Bank Accounts – This list of banks is helpful for people unable to open traditional bank accounts.
Emergency Fund Calculator – This calculator can help people know how much money to save for an emergency. This means they will be prepared for unexpected thing that might happen.
https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/ - Formerly incarcerated people face daunting odds. They can never have too many resources at their disposal.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder | Before, During, and After Giving Birth (hawaii.gov)
Residents from Outside Virginia:
New York: https://nicic.gov/projects/offender-reentry-transition (resources, statistics, educational programs for incarcerated people).
NYU scholarship for formerly-incarcerated students
New York University (NYU) will begin offering a new scholarship to formerly incarcerated students beginning in the fall of 2020. This comes off the back of a prison divestment campaign spearheaded jointly by the Incarceration to Education Coalition and Prison Industrial Complex Committee. Although we don’t know yet how much money the scholarship will award, the university has said that they’ll be offering two needs-based scholarships. It’s worth noting that NYU is an accredited university that also offers distance learning under the Prison Education Program, should you be able to fund your studies yourself. More information on NYU’s full list of scholarships can be found here.
For links and applications, go to Scholarships for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated People - Online Course Report
Rhode Island: Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship
The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship pays from $500 to $2,000 to “assist single parents in the pursuit of education beyond high school”. However, preference is given to parents who have previously been incarcerated. This is a refreshing change given that federal student aid prioritizes applications from students who do not have a previous conviction. However, there is a limitation in that only Rhode Island residents may apply for the scholarship. see: Scholarships for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated People - Online Course Report
Center for Justice and Economic Advancement | Jobs for the Future (JFF) - national organization that shapes policy and works to advance employment needs of those who are incarcerated; inspiring stories from those formerly incarcerated)
https://resilience-education.org/case-collection (Charlottesville-based entrepreneurship education program, currently for incarcerated students. Available through Darden Business School at UVA; other campuses at Wharton Business School in PA, and Columbia University in New York City.)
D.C. & Maryland:
Bridges to Baccalaureate Program (T34) (fromprisoncellstophd.org) (Assistance getting your B.S. degree from Baltimore City Community College or Howard University in Washington, D.C.; mission to bring more minority populations into S.T.E.M. fields)
Illinois-based Ripple Effect Program, from Education Justice Network.
https://educationjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ripple-Effect-Handbook_Oct-2018.pdf
(community-based letter writing campaign of emotional support for incarcerated and their families)
(resource sponsored by Education Justice Project – EJP – features an in-prison education system providing course work, reentry services, scholarship funding, video library to prepare for release, more)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children's Bureau/ACYF
330 C Street, S.W
Washington, District of Columbia 20201
Toll-Free: (800) 394-3366
Email: info@childwelfare.gov
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects professionals and the general public to information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to programs, research, laws and policies, training resources, statistics, and much more.
nadid: 17904
www.vehiclesforchange.org (auto mechanic training in 3 Maryland locations -Salisbury, Hyattsville, and Prince George County –
contact: Janay Harris - jharris@vehiclesforchange.org or Leticia Madry - Lmadry@vehiclesforchange.org Hires formerly incarcerated individuals.
Alabama, Florida, Michigan:
https://afoi.org/ (assisting families of incarcerated loved ones with emotional, financial, housing, coping skills, more)
https://www.skipinc.org/ (Help for Kids of Incarcerated citizens)
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Scholarships and Education Programs
Higher Education After Incarceration - Intelligent (advice from Prison Policy Initiative on how to approach getting a degree or credential)
Prisons to Professionals Program (fromprisoncellstophd.org) - Designed to help formerly incarcerated obtain higher education through funding, tutoring, professional mentoring, auditing classes before taking them, and more. Can scan offerings through the “Knowledge Base” part of the website)
Aramark IN2WORK program (Aramark food service credentialing and placement)
https://scholarshipamerica.org/students/browse-scholarships/
https://www.onlinecoursereport.com/scholarships-for-incarcerated-and-formerly-incarcerated-people/ (online courses, degrees, & certificates as well as scholarship programs)
Scholarships for Felons | LendEDU (several opportunities)
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Mental Health
https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=10326
(US government mental health resources and more)
https://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/?CWIGFunctionsaction=rols:main.dspList&rolType=Custom&RS_ID=113&rList=ROL (note that many organizations are not based in VA, but MD, D.C., or elsewhere)
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Assisting Families of Inmates
1 North 5th Street
Suite 416
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 643-2401
Email: family@afoi.org
The mission of AFOI is to provide opportunities for regular, meaningful visitation, referrals to community resources, and other services that help families cope with incarceration and prepare for release and reunification. AFOI is one of only a handful of such programs to provide these services in Virginia and across the United States.
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars
4806 Seton Dr.
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Phone: (410) 358-9711
Email: membercare@gscm.org
https://www.girlscoutsww.org/en/activities/programs/council-programs/girl-scouts-beyond-bars.html
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) is a program offered in 15 States that focuses on the daughters of incarcerated women. It aims to break the intergenerational cycle of incarceration by maintaining the mother-daughter bond, strengthening the self-esteem of both mothers and daughters, lessening the anxiety experienced by children of incarcerated parents, and providing these children with positive role models.
KidsMates
Email: info@kidsmates.org
KidsMates Inc. is a national non-profit organization co-founded by children of incarcerated parents. KidsMates Inc.’s advocacy seeks to raise awareness about parental incarceration and its lifelong negative impacts to affected children. The organization implements initiatives aimed at improving outcomes, fostering resilience, and empowering children of incarcerated parents.
nadid: 30180
Prison Fellowship
44180 Riverside Parkway
Lansdowne, Virginia 20176
Phone: (800) 206-9764
Email: info@pfm.org
https://www.prisonfellowship.org/
Prison Fellowship trains and inspires churches and communities inside and outside of prisons to support the restoration of those affected by incarceration. They train correctional leaders, volunteers, and incarcerated men and women to make prisons more rehabilitative places. The Prison Fellowship advocates for a more restorative criminal justice system and collaborating with churches and local service providers to support former prisoners, their families, and their communities.
nadid: 29768
The Messages Project
PO Box 8325
Norfolk, Virginia 23503
https://themessagesproject.org/
https://themessagesproject.org/contact/
The Messages Project is a nonprofit organization that enables children of incarcerated parents to maintain and rebuild relationships with their mothers and fathers.
Volunteers of America (VOA)
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: (703) 341-5000
VOA provides services that are designed locally to address specific community needs. Their common areas of focus include promoting self-sufficiency for the homeless and for others overcoming personal crises, caring for the elderly and disabled while fostering their independence, and supporting positive development for troubled and at-risk children and youth.
Virginia - Incarceration Resources | ESME (community services and mentoring programs for single mothers & their kids)
https://youth.gov/youth-topics/children-of-incarcerated-parents
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Tutoring, Peer Mentoring, Counseling
JustLeadershipUSA — Leading with Conviction™ (jlusa.org
https://www.fromprisoncellstophd.org/mission-and-vision.html
https://www.thetonyrobbinsfoundation.org/programs/inmate-program/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cGCy67o-wIVx9zICh18FA1YEAMYAyAAEgJtD_D_BwE
(mentoring, empowerment seminars, and grants to non-profit organizations – no individual grants)
FailSafe-Era (restorative justice programs, Fredericksburg, VA)
https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/support-friends-family-of-prisoners/loved-one-getting-released-dont-3-things/ (advice and counsel for families of formerly incarcerated)
Home - Hope for Prisoners (Nevada-based assistance program, hires formerly incarcerated, uses peer-coaching, counseling, volunteering, family support systems for incarcerated)
Metro Community Ministries (mcmserves.org) (chiefly in Southern California, this ministry has affiliate in Richmond. Provide job placement and leadership/emotional support assistance. Affiliate through Heroes & Dreams Academy, Richmond, VA.)
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Religious
https://www.prisonfellowship.org/
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Department of Corrections Answers to Questions:
Operating Procedures — Virginia Department of Corrections
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Virginia-based Employment Resources
Virginia Workforce Connection (post a resume, search for jobs)
Microsoft Word - About WOTC 8-10 (virginia.gov) (Virginia tax credit for Employers hiring formerly incarcerated)
Ex-offender Assistance | Virginia Employment Commission
(limited though helpful; mostly financial calculators, explanations of money matters, restoration of voting rights)
Programs To Help Justice-Impacted Individuals Get Jobs | Indeed.com
https://virginia.getintoenergy.com/contact-us/ (energy-related jobs, on-job training, hires diverse groups, veterans)
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Jobs You Cannot Get According to Your Crime (Barrier Crimes List)
Barrier Crimes In Virginia - Fully Explained in 2 Minutes - Cook Attorneys (crimes for which it may not be possible to find work)
vadoc-federal-bonding-program-brochure.pdf (virginia.gov) (surety bonds provided to employers willing to employ formerly incarcerated individuals)
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Personal Finance Information/Funding & Sources
Social Security: What Prisoners Need to Know (social security will not pay you while in jail more than 30 days or while you’re in prison; dependents will receive reduced payments until you leave)
BJA FY 2022 Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes
(USDOJ resource for state, municipal, and individual grant lookup and application criteria)
Higher Education in Prison (resources for individuals, schools,
and other groups; resources for LGBTQ-identified individuals)
https://www.sunshineladyfoundation.org/
(Funding for prison reentry programs, community-based programs, non-profits, and related start-ups. No funding for individuals, start-up businesses, or political causes)
https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/correctional-services/grants/papis-virginia-prisoner-reentry-program (information about grant opportunities useful to public or private groups seeking to implement reentry programs)
Ascendium Education Group (funding initiatives for students of low-income background, help repaying student loans, etc.)
https://www.samhsa.gov/criminal-juvenile-justice/grants-grantees
(grant opportunities for substance abuse programs)
See also:
https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/applying/forms-resources
https://www.failsafe-era.org/scholarships
(youth and adult scholarships for Virginians)
Beyond Pell Restoration - Guidance Document
Preparing for Pell Reinstatement - Guidance Video - YouTube
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Housing Support
Justice Involved Veterans (discussion and listing of housing benefits for veterans and limited eligibility)
https://www.gemeinschafthome.org/ (separate men’s/women’s housing in Harrisonburg, VA)
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Veterans’ Benefits for Justice-Impacted
Veterans Services manual: Reentry Roadmap for Justice-Impacted Veteransved=2ahUKEwiR_4XI1er-AhUHMVkFHX4eAhM4ChAWegQIBhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fairshake.net%2Fservice%2Fdownload.php%3Fc%3Dreentry_directories%26reentry_directories_id%3D191&usg=AOvVaw1bLX9u_iFB3dzT_uffXZ7I (from Veterans Administration and VA Department of Corrections)
Justice Involved Veterans (Compensation, Healthcare, and Housing Benefits Guide for Veterans from Veterans Administration)
https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/misc/JusticeInvolved.pdf
https://www.va.gov/homeless/reentry.asp (full-service veteran site, housing, healthcare, education and training support)
https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/misc/JusticeInvolved.pdf (discussion and listing of housing benefits for veterans and limited eligibility; cross-referenced under HOUSING, above)
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Generic All-In-One Reentry Programs
https://www.reentryessentials.org/uploads/1/2/7/2/127293103/virginia.pdf (Key links for housing, identification documents, voter registration, more)
https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/07/21/virginia-prison-resources (reentry, including Legal Resources)
https://lionheart.org/lionheart-programs/houses-of-healing/reentry-programs (state-by-state listing of reentry services)
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/secure-housing-after-incarceration/ (resources and advice on where to look for housing, financial assistance, including food assistance, employment, medical/mental health treatment, and more)
https://www.fairshake.net/reentry-resources/search-for-a-resource/ (reentry resources in all 50 states)
Building a Reentry Education Continuum | RTI
https://lionheart.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VIRGINIA_Reentry_List.pdf (extensive list of reentry services in Va; some duplicated in other places on these pages)
https://www.oaronline.org/about-us/interagency-partners (resources in Central, Valley, and Hampton Roads regions of the state)
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Civil Rights Information, Legislative Initiatives, Advocacy Organizations, Religious Affiliations & Activism
https://justiceforwardva.com/blog (fighting for rights of incarcerated & formerly incarcerated)
https://www.probationinfo.org/restrictions/
(locate an attorney for post-conviction legal assistance)
https://civilrights.org/value/education
https://www.vacure.org/citizen-advocacy.html
https://www.ihep.org/focus-area/barriers-justice-education/
https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/get-involved/partners/
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Resources for Juveniles
https://savethekidsgroup.org/tag/wisdom-behind-the-walls/
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Reports, Policy Papers, and Articles
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8o18lb4q8ae7s73/ODC%20Re-Entry%20Services%20Can-Do%2012-10-18.pdf?dl=0 (tips and considerations for reentry services groups/start ups)
https://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/6.27.17_Mentoring-as-a-Component-of-Reentry.pdf (guide to establishing effective mentoring programs)
https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/sites/dcjs.virginia.gov/files/publications/corrections/integrated-reentry-and-employment-strategies-reducing-recidivism-and-promoting-job-readiness.pdf (strategies to use with Department of Corrections and the Probation office to improve cooperation and communication)
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/reentry-model.pdf (U.S. Dept. of Education report on reentry, including challenges and solutions)
https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1497911/download (U.S. govt report on challenges to reentry and program solutions actual and anticipated)
https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-better-path-forward-for-criminal-justice-prisoner-reentry/ (Research from Brookings Institute on Criminal Justice Reentry programs)
Institute for Higher Education Policy (Mostly a policy organization with some specific advocacy goals, including discussions of available funding for incarcerated)
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/life-after-prison (formerly incarcerated peer counselors help justice-impacted people cope with trauma of post-prison life)
https://www.amazon.com/When-Prisoners-Return-Should- Church/dp/1594676097 (Book to guide churches on inclusivity for justice-impacted persons rejoining society)
List of Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov)
(Information on numerous and wide-ranging programs of interest to justice-impacted individuals, their families, community activists, reentry coordinators, and more!)
https://www.justice4all.org/wp-content/uploads/Reenrollment%20--%2004%20Best%20Practices%20with%2006%20Preface.pdf (best practices for providing reentry services to juveniles, written by a Virginian)
https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Decarceration-Strategies.pdf (strategies used by 5 states to significantly reduce prison population)
Evidence-based Practices (EBP) | National Institute of Corrections (nicic.gov) (evidence-based practices in a wide range of areas of concern)
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Professional Affiliations
https://ficgn.org/join-the-network/ (professional affiliation for formerly incarcerated individuals who have degrees, working to expand college opportunities)
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Telling Your Story or Others’ Stories
http://poetrybehindthewalls.org/submit/
Tell your story at https://www.warpmovement.org/ or www.lawsaswritten.com
https://changeagent.nelrc.org/submission-guidelines/ (writing opportunities for those impacted by social justice issues.
Breaking news from inside: How prisons suppress prison journalism | Prison Policy Initiative