The Beginning

Our founder, Chester A. France, Jr., had been involved in prison ministries for over 25 years. He retired in 2015 after serving seventeen years as the Protestant Chaplain with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Realizing that the prison system had three sewing plants in Maryland, Mr. France recognized that people were coming home to Baltimore with sewing skills, but without jobs.

We were created in response to the urgent need to ensure Returning Citizens can access quality jobs. This is a critical problem in Baltimore: more than 60% of formerly incarcerated people are unemployed one year after release. Those who find jobs earn 40% less than their peers who were not incarcerated.

Our work creates possibilities for:

  • Employment & Recidivism

    We help Returning Citizens secure stable employment. Our mission helps Returning Citizens successfully reintegrate into society. By addressing barriers to employment and offering a supportive network, we work to break the cycle of reoffending and promote long-term personal and community stability.

  • Restoration of Relationships

    By offering meaningful employment opportunities, we help to repair and strengthen family ties, trust, rebuild social networks, and demonstrate that individuals can be reliable and valuable members of society. This approach not only aids in personal rehabilitation but also promotes broader social healing and reintegration.

  • Advocacy & Awareness

    By employing and supporting Returning Citizens, we raise public awareness about their contributions, strengths, challenges stigmas, and promote policy changes that facilitate their reintegration. This advocacy helps shift public perception and fosters a more inclusive and supportive environment for Returning Citizens.
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Our Core Values

  • Family

    We are a team and family, first and foremost. We show love and have each other's back.

  • Commitment

    We take pride in our work. We are all committed to doing our best.

  • Safety

    We create a safe space for everyone. We are respectful and speak with compassion. We respect each other's backgrounds, knowledge, and life experiences.

  • Accountability

    We understand that we impact one another. We hold ourselves and each other accountable. We are responsible for utilizing resources to solve challenges.

  • Growth

    We are committed to being better each day. We are open-minded and curious and allow room for growth.

  • Empowerment

    We create a culture that prioritizes seeing our strengths and trusting our possibilities. We empower ourselves and each other to go beyond labels, expectations, and our comfort zones.

We go further together.

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