PROGRAMS

Every year, thousands of Americans find themselves facing crossroads in life, whether coming back from a traumatic experience such as dealing with addiction, being released from prison, or dealing with the effects of a severe mental illness.  While we all make mistakes in life, for so many people of color who come from underserved communities, the road to recovery is often blocked by cultural stereotypes and stigmas making it virtually impossible to get back to a place of stability and self-dignity. 

  With nearly 2 million people behind bars, the majority of them non-violent crimes, the Prison Industrial Complex continues to perpetuate a system of inequality and lack of opportunity even for those determined to turn their life around. The "correctional" system itself, driven by the greed of the PIC feeds itself by recycling the same people in and out. The lack of meaningful resources such as jobs, housing support, Traning and Education enables a bad system to thrive and grow in the worse possible way. 

Our Fresh Start program offers a clear path to recovery and re-entry by providing vital resources that make a material difference from a well-intentioned effort, to as a comprehensive step by step plan supported by trained coaches and personnel equipped with resources including; housing rent support, counseling, and much more. 

Fresh Start is always looking for new volunteers and resources to help us achieve our mission. Please click the link below to donate or volunteer for one of our programs.

 Owning and running a successful business is one of several positive pathways to re-entry for participants enrolled in our Fresh Start program. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of business including how to start a viable business (legal formation), how to run a business (operations, finance, marketing), and how to become a leader in the community by giving back and reinvesting time, talent and treasure into the community to help others who may be less fortunate. 

Online Entrepreneurship

One of the hallmarks of the Fresh Start program is the Online Entrepreneurship ___ which teaches participants the "how-to" while actually doing. Similar to a business incubator, this program is a self-contained resource center where people can start, manage, and grow their new business - all with the support and resources they need under one roof. 

Fresh Start is always looking for new volunteers and resources to help us achieve our mission. Please click the link below to donate or volunteer for one of our programs.

 Our 2023 Gala promises to be a night to remember as we celebrate the journey of those who continue to defy the odds by turning life's pain into a new sense of purpose and hope. The annual gala is inspired by the life of the late J Mack, who lived his life representing the values of Fresh Start. For most of us, the last two years have been extremely challenging, but for those who find themselves released from prison or rebounding from other adverse situations, being able to rise above personal pain to achieve positive change, is worthy of recognition. To that end, we're proud to introduce our 2023 theme: "Phoenix, Rise from the Ashes!" In honor of Mr. J Mack.

Fresh Start is always looking for new volunteers and resources to help us achieve our mission. Please click the link below to donate or volunteer for one of our programs.