2016 was challenging for all of us.
There are many uncertainties about the future, but one thing is certain: The Fortune Society will be here. For almost 50 years, we’ve given hope to thousands of individuals coming home from prison, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. We will not stop providing new paths forward for these individuals.
And thanks to your support, our services are impacting the community more than ever before– we supported over 6,000 individuals this year. Plus, our policy, advocacy, and research efforts continued to push for lasting criminal justice reform in New York State and beyond.
But each year, the demand for our services grows. To continue providing urgent assistance, we need your support. Help us continue our vital efforts. Contribute today.
This year, we expanded our programs in a number of key areas, including increasing our capacity to provide discharge planning services to individuals on Rikers Island, and increasing the essential housing, employment, and health care services needed for successful reentry. Because of you, our clients have the opportunity to receive the life-changing services they need to transform their lives.
You have also helped our team, allies, advocates, and partners achieve major advancements in criminal justice reform. As a member of the New York State Council on Community Reentry and Reintegration, for instance, we succeeded in convincing New York Governor Cuomo to adopt a new anti-discrimination guidance for State-financed housing. This guidance forbids blanket discrimination based on justice involvement.
Moreover, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a guidance earlier this year stating that blanket bans on applicants with criminal histories likely violates the Fair Housing Act. And, most recently, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a statement of interest, giving enormous weight to our case, which could ultimately set a new national legal precedent.
Your support is crucial in the powerful work we do to foster a more fair, humane, and truly rehabilitative criminal justice system.
As this year comes to a close, we hope you will continue to stand with us and the thousands of justice -involved individuals we support.
