Starting With Nothing Is a Setup to Fail
Millions of Americans have entered a correctional facility only to leave months or years later with no money for food, clothes, or shelter. When Maria left Rikers Island seven years ago, she had nothing but the examples her grandma had given her growing up in gentrifying Brooklyn: be determined, put your family first, and survive anything.
Maria had tried everything she could to get a job once she was home again, but no one would hire her because of the felony conviction.
“I was desperate for a job. If it weren’t for my grandma, I would’ve been on the streets with my kids,” said Maria. “She barely had money for food, so she forgot about things like new clothes or riding the bus. I just had no help.”
To take care of herself and her children, Maria needed money for basic necessities, but the stigma of being formerly incarcerated prevented her from finding employment to earn that money. That’s when she reached out to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in New York City and started on a transitional work crew immediately.
Shortly after joining CEO, and while still living day to day with some food insecurity, Maria received a cash assistance payment of $1,500 through a program that helps people leaving jail or prison obtain basic necessities while on a pathway to secure stable housing, employment, food or transportation.
“There were no strings attached when I received the cash assistance, and without that, I would have depended on state welfare,” Maria said. “I was so excited to have some financial independence.”
Maria used the money to buy clothes for her kids, groceries for the household, bus passes, and bills like her cell phone and electricity. About a month later, Maria received a second payment of $1,000 as part of the reentry cash program, which she mainly used for food.
“People think that reentry isn’t that hard like you just go back to your community and get a job,” Maria said. “But it’s not that easy. I couldn’t get a job and had no control over my future. But the cash assistance gave me some control of my life back, and I’m thankful for that.”
Maria shared her story through CEO’s advocacy team, hoping to reach politicians who could make change.
“If you don’t have to worry about where to get shoes and how to eat dinner when you walk out of prison, your chances to succeed will be greater,” said Maria.
To learn more about access to reentry cash benefits so that each person returning from incarceration has immediate support that promotes safety, health, and access to job opportunities and establishes pathways to quality jobs providing mobility, sign up for the monthly newsletter or call your local state representatives to get information about reform topics in your district.
