For 50 years, The Fortune Society has given hope to people with justice involvement. In a safe, understanding, and loving community, each of our participants can thrive in spite of their past and be resilient in the face of daunting obstacles. With community support, we’ve helped over 7,000 individuals coming home from incarceration this year.
Hundreds of job seekers secured new careers; individuals received life-stabilizing healthcare and public resources; students achieved educational goals; people experiencing homelessness found homes; and hundreds of individuals realized their potential through our Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) program.
Support from caring individuals like you were also instrumental in helping us build a more equitable and conscionable criminal justice system. Together, we raised New York’s age of criminal responsibility; pushed Mayor Bill de Blasio to engage in concrete steps to close Rikers Island jail complex; and took bold steps to ensure that people with justice involvement have protections against housing and employment discrimination.
Throughout 2017, we also reflected on our 50-year legacy. When Fortune first started, we were one of the few places where people could rebuild and save their lives. Today, thanks to continued community generosity, we’ve built a thriving network of individuals who are redefining what is possible after incarceration.
But our work isn’t done yet. A great challenge we face in achieving our mission is the discrimination of the people we serve, long after their involvement in the justice system ends. Stigma, trauma, and lack of access to critical reentry services continue to create barriers that prevent individuals from thriving in the community.
With more than 50,000 individuals coming home to New York City from New York State prisons and jails every year, the demand for our services is growing. To continue providing urgent assistance, we need your support.
As 2017 ends, stand with us and the thousands of individuals with justice involvement who need us. Make a year-end contribution to The Fortune Society today.
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