Host Karen James speaks with Larry Turner, co-founder of Fresh Out Community Based Re-Entry Program, and Wilford Johnson, Fresh Out alumni and peer mentor. Individuals who release from prison often return to underserved communities and face many barriers that make successful transitioning difficult. Many experience challenges seeking employment, behavioral health treatment, and housing. Effective reentry programs and services can reduce risk of recidivism, yet for African American and other people of color, culturally-specific services are limited. Fresh Out was formed in 2007 in Portland by a group of formerly incarcerated African-American individuals. While working to become productive members of society, they decided to help others successfully reenter into the community after incarceration, focusing on the African American population. While developing the program, they felt hope that ex-offenders would more readily engage in services when encouraged by former incarcerated persons who have successfully been down the same path.
- KBOO