Extended Family launched our re-entry program, Extended Success for Life, in January 2024. We set several goals for this model year, including hiring a Re-entry Coordinator, creating a series of more than twenty lessons, meeting with 35 stakeholders in three counties, enrolling seven returned citizens, “RCs” (those who had recently been released from jail or prison), meeting with each RC once a week for 20 weeks and providing each with an individualized lesson series to meet their needs, then creating a pre- and post-survey for our graduates to measure the effectiveness of the lessons.
We hired our Re-entry Coordinator from within our own staff. Jerry Clemons is uniquely qualified to serve as Re-entry Coordinator, having served six years in the Alabama prison system and successfully returned to his family and community in 2009. Extended Family staff developed a series of lessons that could be used to serve a wide variety of needs RCs might have. Jerry began meeting with stakeholders immediately and made connections and partnerships in five counties, people who worked with RCs and could make referrals for the free program.
As word spread about Extended Success for Life, through stakeholder meetings, awareness through community resource fairs, and radio interviews, we met our goal to enroll seven returned citizens. Two RCs from our inaugural group have completed the 20-week program. Others were unable to finish all the lessons but have gone on to find jobs, housing, and independence. All of the participants in Extended Success for Life were given the opportunity to benefit from the lessons and services provided. Pre- and post-surveys from those who completed the series showed an increase in life skills, which boosted their self-esteem and confidence.
One Extended Success for Life graduate commented on the value of the program, “ESL provided me with tools and resources to help me succeed in all aspects of life. The ESL program can assist a returning citizen in numerous ways such as building a resume, filling out job applications, interview skills, applying for housing and much more.”
The long-term goals of Extended Success for Life are to help returned citizens reintegrate into their families and communities and to provide them with a framework of support to help them make better choices that do not involve reoffending. This program is available to men who are returning from jail or prison to Cherokee, DeKalb, or Etowah counties in Alabama. If you would like more information about Extended Success for Life, contact jerry@extendedfamilyhelp.org.