Resource Links

RETURNING HOPE TO RETURNING CITIZENS (for formerly incarcerated persons)

The “Here to Help Foundation” out of Royal Oak, MI. has created the Returning Hope to Returning Citizens program: a very personalized plan of total assistance from the time an individual walks out of prison, which includes help with the following:

            · Provide gift cards to obtain a large amount of new clothing and basic 

               necessities upon release from prison, as most often times the returning 

               citizen has nothing but the clothes they wore while walking out of prison.

            · Provide information on obtaining a State ID or Driver's License or 

              Social Security card and, where applicable, how to apply for Disability benefits. 

            · Provide detailed referral sources for obtaining employment or job 

               training and can assist with applications etc.

           · Once an income is established through employment (or Disability benefits), 

              they provide additional gift cards for remaining needs, including required 

              work-related clothing/shoes/boots etc.

           · Where someone has a particular skill and their job requires tools or 

               equipment,  they can assist with the purchase of those items.

          · The next step is moving from transitional housing.  They provide referral 

             sources for renting an apartment or house as well as assistance with 

             negotiation of the lease.

         · Once a residence is obtained, they assist with some of the move-in costs.

         · After moving, they can help with furniture along with home furnishings

           (for example - dishes, glasses, cooking utensils, pots/pans, linens, towels etc.)

          · If someone has shown a successful start with their full-time job 

             but transportation is a problem in getting to work, they can help by providing 

             a used vehicle (where it is established the returning citizen will be able to 

             afford insurance, car repairs and maintenance etc.)

         · Lastly, if down the road a returning citizen encounters an emergency 

            situation, and they qualify for one of our other programs, then they 

            can provide assistance (such as Road Ready Repairs 

            or Let's Keep the Lights On etc.).

If you or someone you know has recently been released from prison and is in need of  assistance through a program like this, email them at  heretohelpfoundation@icloud.com

They also offer additional assistance including paying for job certification expenses, offering financial literacy help and mentoring and support groups, and engaging as a referral source for other organizations that assist returning citizens with record expungement, mental health care, phones etc.