A ‘Fortune’ To Re-Enter Society
City Council Members Daniel Dromm and Robert Jackson showed their support for the Fortune Society by allocating over $100,000 in funds to help the organization, which develops model programs to assist formerly incarcerated men and women successfully re-enter their communities.
Dromm sponsored $7,000 in discretionary funding for Fortune’s operations and he and Jackson were the primary sponsors of a $100,000 capital funding request.
“The work of The Fortune Society is vitally important because they offer individuals the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves and make positive contributions once they reenter our society.” said Dromm. “I am proud to continue to support Fortune in their mission to ensure successful reentry from prison and promote alternative incarceration programs.”
Dromm made the announcement last Thursday, Jan. 12, after touring The Fortune Society’s Castle Gar- dens residence in West Harlem-a building complex that promotes safe and sober socialization for clients who strive to successfully reintegrate into society and for hard working families with limited income.
The $100,000 in capital funding will make possible the purchase of two vans-a much needed service enhancement to the building’s residents beyond Fortune’s existing but insufficient transportation options. The vans they currently operate are either overused, in need of repair, or in the shop.
Having two additional vehicles, including one specifically designed for wheelchair-bound residents, will be extremely helpful for years to come, the legislators noted.
The $7,000 in discretionary funds will be used to support the work of the associate vice president of programs in planning, development, and oversight of the Fortune Society’s Education and Employment Services programs.
JoAnne Page, president and CEO of The Fortune Society said, “Approximately 3,000 formerly incarcerated men, women and young people seek The Fortune Society’s help each year as they work to build constructive lives in the community. When they succeed, everyone benefits. This support from Councilman Dromm will help us conduct more in-depth assessments of clients as they enter our educational and vocational programs, so we can provide them with needed services including pre-GED and GED classes, job readiness preparation and job placement, and training in such areas as food preparation and green jobs. “
The Fortune Society offers a holistic and integrated “one-stopshopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are supportive housing, career development, job retention, substance abuse treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, education, family services, and drop in services as well as ongoing access to aftercare.
For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.
