State funds help nonprofits’ mission of social transition
The work of two Lowell-based nonprofits in helping former inmates re-enter themainstream of society was recently recognized and rewarded by the state, whichwill allow them to sustain that mission.
The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell andmasshire Greater Lowell, two of 14 organizations designated to receive a share of a $2.5million grant, each received $200,000 through the Re-entryworkforce Development Demonstration Program, a state initiative to help former inmates get back into the workforce and lead productive lives.
Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, who announced the fundingmonday at the offices ofmasshire Greater Lowell, said the grant funding is an opportunity to “elevate economic mobility” and prioritize opportunities the community provides to individuals and households.”
Added Jones, “I also see it as an opportunity to re-engage the unemployed and underemployed and discouraged individuals, and individuals who are deserving of second chances.”
Masshire will use that money to partner with the Billericahouse of Correction to create a programfocused on training former inmates in the social services and manufacturing industries, with graduates of the programbeing placed in roles as recovery coaches, outreach workers and machine operators.
Masshire Greater Lowell Workforce Board Executive Directorkevin Coughlin said the number of former inmates his organization serves has risen significantly just in the last year.
“With our new and expanded outreach this year, we have increased our customers served in our region by over 42% since fiscal year 2022,” said Coughlin. “Our total customers served this year was 7,465.”
The Bridge Club, a nonprofit founded in 2020 dedicated to giving people in recovery from substance abuse a safe place to meet, also offers services like assisting in detox, rehabilitation, sober living placement and helping former inmates re-enter the workforce and society.
That $200,000 grant will be used to partner with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office to offer training programs focused on themanufacturing industry, with job placement opportunities for graduates of the programs.
Bridge Club Executive Director Bob Cox said after the announcement that the timing of this grant funding is “phenomenal” for his organization.
“This is much-needed funding and is going to allowus to continue on a programwe started in 2022, the Bridge Back Initiative,” said Cox.
The Bridge Back Initiative, launched in partnership with Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian andmiddlesex District Attorneymarian Ryan, works with employerswho understand that some individuals may have employment gaps or nowork history at all, and also may have issues with addiction.
“They’rewilling to take that into consideration and legitimately give people a second chance, which is huge because that’s sometimes that’s all someone needs,” Cox said at the time of the program’s launch.
For people whomay be recovering from addiction or in need of support, Cox said the Bridge Club will look to provide access to a recovery coach.
The initiative looks to help not only those who are incarcerated or recently released, but also people on probation or otherwise court-involved.
And Bridge Back takes employment assistance a step further by helping clients secure transportation to their workplace.
Cox said that being able to provide resources like a recovery coach, food or transportation should help people stretch the money they earn a little bit further.
Cox said the Bridge Club has landed grant funding for $500,000 annually for three years through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program.
“It is the same program, but it is geared specifically towards veterans who are incarcerated or previously incarcerated,” said Cox.
That extra grant, Cox said, will also bring in additional services like an individualized licensed drug and alcohol counselor, a licensed clinical social worker and individualized intensive outpatient trainings.
Lowell Citymanager Tom Golden praised organizations like the Bridge Club and their persistence in getting formerly incarcerated individuals back on their feet. In at least the case of the Bridge Club, Golden said, they have the patience to give people not just second chances, but as many chances as it takes to get back into theworkforce.
“Giving people that opportunity, that second, third, fourth chance, is needed, especially to try to get people back into the workflow and get them into a different lifestyle,” said Golden.
Two exemplary local organizations providing vital services that stem the flow of recidivism and put former inmates and those in recovery on a path to a productive life.
That funding will bemoney well spent.