How To Help Felons Get Back on Their Feet
Resources for People with Felony Convictions
When felons get out of jail, it may seem as if they are getting a new start, but the truth is, they have a long road ahead of them. It is difficult for them to find jobs and housing. With nowhere else to turn, many of them go back to a life of crime.
So what can we do to break the cycle? Many governments have set up programs that offer assistance. Read on to find out about the ones that are available in Indiana.
Jobs for Felons Hub is an online platform that serves as a job search engine for people with felony convictions. The site advises people with felony convictions to think about the industry they would like to go into before applying for positions. They recommend that they find careers that help them develop on both a personal and professional level.
They can enter information regarding their location and the type of job they are looking for. The site provides results for every state and city in the country listing positions at companies willing to hire individuals with a criminal record.
While the website does not provide a list of housing complexes that will accept people with felony convictions, they offer resources that may make it easier to find housing. They recommend talking to the Indiana Department of Corrections to find out about options for reentry programs. They also advise people with felony convictions to apply for housing at smaller apartment complexes as larger buildings are less likely to accept individuals who have been incarcerated.
It can be difficult to make ends meet after getting out of jail. The Indiana government provides a solution in the form of grants. The money can be used to take care of food and other basic needs while the individual works on getting their life together. And unlike a loan, a grant doesn’t need to be paid back.
There are a variety of organizations that offer grants for people with felony convictions. For example, HUD (Housing and Urban Development) provides funding for housing. Medicare offers funding for medical needs. Lifeline will help former inmates pay for their cell phones.
Pace Indy is an organization located in Indianapolis that offers a variety of programs to help people get back on their feet. These include:
· Financial coaching
· Employment coaching
· Assistance with applying for public benefits
· Mental health coaching
· Assistance with substance abuse issues
· Youth employment services
· Adult education classes
and more.
Fair Housing Center of Indiana
Current federal and Indiana state law legislates that denying a person housing based on their criminal history is a form of discrimination. However, in some circumstances, it may be legal. If you were denied housing and feel it may be based on your status as a former inmate, you can contact the Fair Housing Center of Indiana. They will help you determine if you have a case.
It can be challenging to find housing for felons. Fortunately, there are resources that can help them find shelter and a source of income so they can move forward with their lives and avoid going back into the system. We wish you the best of luck in starting on this next stage of your life.
