Helping Oppressed People Excel (HOPE)
- 06/14/2024
Helping Oppressed People Excel Baltimore (HOPE) is led by those with experience overcoming the challenges of returning to society after incarceration. HOPE empowers men and women to make the transition from incarceration to community successfully and permanently by working with returning citizens to remove barriers of reentry, such as resources for job and GED training; managing caseworker and other appointments; and developing new coping skills, accountability, life laws, and strong relationships to help deal with the stresses of life outside jail or prison, as well as deeper hurt and trauma. HOPE participants are guided by peer mentors, connected to needed resources, provided with bus passes, and attend weekly mentoring and support dinners. HOPE has served over 120 formerly incarcerated members with their local reentry with only two rearrests since its founding in 2017. This grant provided capacity building support.