“Thank you again for helping me with my rent when I was released. I have been at my new job for 100 days and I’m doing the best I ever have and it might not have happened if you didn’t take a chance on me. My mother got to see me clean and doing great before she passed away and that’s comforting to me.” – TTW Graduate
Transition to Work
In 2015, FJPM created our Transition to Work (TTW) program, a reentry program designed with pre-release educational components and post-release support.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a calendar of events at the Restoration Center.
Pre-Release Program
This program offers 18-24 months of coursework, including: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey), Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey), Human Resource Development (Forsyth Technical Community College), Reality 101 (course written by our TTW Coordinator who has lived experience with incarceration), and a personal development course. These classes are designed to help the men change thought patterns and decision-making processes, understand how to gain financial stability, and prepare them to seek a job upon their release
Post-Release Program
The post-release portion of TTW is designed to meet the practical needs of someone newly released from prison, such as housing, employment, and transportation. Additionally, it helps build a community of support around the returning citizen through case management, continued life skills training, mentorship, substance misuse counseling, access to community resources, and faith community connections, thereby increasing his chance of reentry success.
Transitional Housing
Safe and affordable transitional housing is a major component of the post-release program. FJPM operates two transitional living spaces.
McGee House
Operated in collaboration with a local church partner, McGee House provides transitional housing for two men for up to 12 months.
Restoration Center
FJPM’s Restoration Center provides transitional housing for five men for up to 12 months. Additionally, the Restoration Center is home to meeting space where formerly incarcerated individuals can access support groups such as AA and NA, Bible studies, life skills classes, and family builder programming.
Virtual Tour of McGee House
Virtual Tour of the Restoration Center
Recidivism in the US
Studies show the general recidivism rate increases from 40% to 60% when a formerly incarcerated individual cannot find employment. Pre-release job skills and life skills training leading to employment reduces recidivism to 15%.
TTW Program Recidivism
Since 2015, more than 300 men have completed the Transition to Work program. Less than 8% of those graduates have reoffended.
TTW Graduate Testimony
“The Transition To Work Program was the most profitable use of my prison sentence. After 4 times in prison and the continuation of the vicious cycle of release and re-offending, I had given up hope. The classes and emotional support that TTW provided changed my life. The program supported me in prison, when I was released, and remains a very strong influence in my life today. I am working full-time, enrolled in school full-time and content with the direction of my life.”
Plan to Prosper Handbook
The Plan to Prosper handbook contains practical information and resources for anyone who has experienced incarceration and is returning to Forsyth County. This handbook is updated yearly and may be downloaded below.
For more information:
For more information about the Transition to Work Pre-Release program, contact Jason Hawkins, Transition to Work Pre-Release Coordinator, at (336) 759-0063 or email jason@fjpm.org.
For more information about the Transition to Work Post-Release program, or if you’re an employer interested in hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, please contact our Transition to Work Post-Release Coordinator, at (336) 759-0063.
