Quarter One Updates: Programs, GiveNOLA Day, and a Fish Fry for the books!

We want to give a sincere thank you to the hundreds of supporters who joined us at this year’s Fish Fry fundraiser. 

This year’s Fish Fry broke records: We sold the most plates ever in our history, raising enough money to open a fund that will provide every First 72+ transitional housing resident with free groceries during their first month in our housing program!

We are so inspired to see this outpouring of support for folks rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

Together, we celebrated another milestone as we served our fish plates out of the Ben Smith Welcome Home Center for the first time. We have big ideas for next year, but we want to hear from you! Please fill out this survey to give us feedback for next year's Fish Fry.

Updates on our Reentry Services

In the first 3 months of 2024, we…

• Provided wraparound services including assistance securing public benefits, employment, and stable housing to over 100 FIPs.
• Provided rent-free housing and wraparound assistance for 13 clients in our transitional housing program.
• Sent 5 representatives to the Louisiana capitol to oppose “tough on crime” legislation.
• Launched our Life Skills Class to provide a crash-course on job preparation, financial literacy, and more.
• Built out youth programming in partnership with local schools to prevent at-risk young people from committing crimes.
• Formed an FIP-led advisory council to prepare for changing legislation that will dramatically change reentry opportunities.

In the next 3 months of 2024, we will…

• Develop our new Cooking School to train clients for high-quality jobs in the food industry.
• Adapt to changing state legislation before the August 1st implementation date, which will drastically change parole and sentencing laws.
• Implement new programming to reach youth before incarceration.
• Continue to rebuild our Clothing Closet and Food Pantry to provide free, readily available supplies to clients in their first days after incarceration.

Mark your calendars: May 7th is GiveNOLA Day, a day of giving for nonprofits in New Orleans. This event is pivotal for our work, funding programs and new initiatives that break down barriers for formerly incarcerated people. Pledge your support during Early Giving starting April 23rd!

Together, we are fighting harder than ever to create a world where prior incarceration is not a barrier to secure housing, employment, and community acceptance.

Thank you for believing in our mission and making our work possible. Your support means everything to us!