A Second Chance for a Better Community and a Brighter Future
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Offender Support
The organizations listed below assist those in need. Whether you have convictions you are attempting to overcome, or you are just looking for someone to help you in building a better life, these organizations are for you.
Click the name of the organization to be directed to their page.
Comprehensive
The links in this section offer several categories of assistance to individuals in need.
Free or low-cost resources for residents of S.E. Michigan including the counties of Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Wayne & Washtenaw.
Helps ease the transition of returning citizens age 18 and older re-entering into society from incarceration. The goal is to assists citizens to secure employment, housing and obtain proper identification including Social Security Cards, Birth Certificates, etc., with a path to economic prosperity.
All City of Detroit residents age 0 and older can apply for the Detroit ID Card regardless of permanent housing, criminal record, gender identity or immigration status. This is an inclusive program for all City residents.
Helps clients obtain state ID cards and drivers licenses. They pay for all of the expenses required to obtain an ID (i.e. cost of birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, etc.) and help with booking timely SOS appointments and provide transportation when needed.
To ensure that all residents of Washtenaw County have meaningful access to a government-issued ID that validates their identity and residency.
Medical, dental, and food assistance. Also help with obtaining birth certificates and legal ID by covering the application costs and helping to fill out the paperwork with the client if they have the proof documents needed to submit the application. Provides limited assistance with bus tokens, AATA Bus Fare applications and occasionally gas vouchers & Ypsilanti thrift shop vouchers every six months. Hope has a clinical social worker who provides free counseling & referrals.
Offers guidance to the homeless and those recently released from jail or prison. DRM assists clients in getting food, clothing, furniture, and necessities such as a driver's license or identification card. DRM also offers a daytime warming room during the winter.
DHDC provides necessary services to adults who are returning home from prison and/or are gang involved. Faced with the tremendous challenge of rebuilding a life, program participants learn skills to build on their strengths and ultimately overcome barriers necessary to positively change their lives. Tattoo removal, for people coming out of a prison or gang lifestyle, is also available through the Freedom Ink program.
A Brighter Way (ABW) is dedicated to reducing recidivism rates in Washtenaw county by providing programs, resources, advocacy, and creating a supportive community for our friends and family returning home from incarceration.
The mission of Offender Success is to reduce crime and enhance public safety by implementing a seamless system of services for offenders from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, community reintegration, and aftercare in their communities. The Offender Success program provides many previously-incarcerated individuals a new lease on life.
Works with returning citizens from their new beginning and maintains a very personal relationship at every step of the way as he/she moves forward on his or her path to success. Remains in close contact at all times for any means of assistance provided including guidance, emotional support etc.
Crossroads is a social service outreach agency with two locations in Detroit. Founded in 1971, Crossroads exists to support the community at large by providing emergency assistance, advocacy, and counseling to anyone in need.
Inspired by its heritage since 1906, Matrix Human Services advocates for and serves the most vulnerable in the metropolitan Detroit community and empowers individuals and families to enhance the quality of their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
A Community Action Agency that welcomes all community members seeking knowledge, skills, or resources related to educational needs, housing security, financial goals, livable wages, and other emerging needs.
Legal
The links in this section offer several categories of assistance to individuals in need.
Free or low-cost resources for residents of S.E. Michigan including the counties of Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Wayne & Washtenaw.
Not-for-profit law firm providing a range of free civil legal services to people who are low income, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.
City of Detroit Initiative to help residents get their criminal records expunged to gain access to better employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
For persons who have criminal records, expungement opens the door to better jobs, better housing and educational opportunities - a better quality of life.
Individuals may contact the Criminal record repository to obtain a copy of their state criminal record. They can also tell the individual who else is legally entitled to have access to his or her record. A written request must be submitted to the Criminal Justice Information Center including a name for record search, date of birth, race, sex and social security number.
Housing
The links in this section offer several categories of assistance to individuals in need.
Free or low-cost resources for residents of S.E. Michigan including the counties of Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Wayne & Washtenaw.
Prisoner re-entry housing program that works in conjunction with Better Days AfterCare (BDA) to provide stable housing to returning offenders in order to assist them in transitioning back into society and avoid recidivism.
Independent, Catholic, lay ministry that assists former prison and jail inmates through the establishment of Christ-centered, Benedictine inspired, residential communities as well as spiritual support for current inmates throughout Michigan.
Paula's House is a long-term transition home for women in recovery from substance abuse. Our program is devoted to providing a caring and dignified residential home for recovering women, single or with their minor children. We emphasize a woman's strengths while empowering her to make positive changes in her life.
Medical
The links in this section offer several categories of assistance to individuals in need.
Free or low-cost resources for residents of S.E. Michigan including the counties of Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Wayne & Washtenaw.
Assisting client’s transition from the Correctional System into the community for independence and medical stability. Using innovative approaches to help residents of Southeast Michigan living with or affected by HIV achieve optimal health through compassionate direct care, support services, prevention and education.
Provides professional and emotional support services to those seeking to change their lives. These primarily focus on substance abuse prevention and recovery, harm-reduction, co-occuring mental health challenges, and personal or workplace issues.
Organization dedicated to meeting basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and money management.