With more than 3 million children in America who have at least one parent in jail or prison -- the challenges facing the formerly incarcerated and their children are mounting. In addition, research has identified a strong connection between homelessness, unemployment and re-offenders. However, many more community-based service providers and re-entry workers remain overwhelmed due to a severe lack of tangible resources for the formerly incarcerated. Finally, Genesis Joy House presents a pioneering solution to help formerly incarcerated women overcome two of the greatest challenges associated with incarceration. Through providing residential housing and jobs on demand, Genesis Joy House is poised to noticeably impact recidivism in America.

Genesis will serve re-entry transits in the Middle Georgia area. The staggering number of women and men returning from correctional facilities represents a significant challenge that can no longer remain overlooked. How we target this concern will determine how we respond to incarceration for many years to come. Mindful of these challenges, and that limited resources for the formerly incarcerated are linked to recidivism -- we are calling upon our partners and community leaders to help us reduce recidivism in the State of Georgia.

The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) was born out of the Disability Rights Movement. Centers for Independent Living were created across the United States due to the passage of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1973. (cfilc.org) These new non-profit organizations, run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, were designed to provide an array of independent living services that would enable people with all types of disabilities to address barriers to community-based living, by providing access to information, resources, peer counseling and independent living skills training. As Independent Living Centers (ILC) began to operate in California, their Executive Directors began to discuss issues that people with disabilities encountered and how best to address them. It was decided that we could be more powerful advocates if we acted with a unified voice. In 1982 we formalized our organization and became incorporated as the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. Our mission is to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers. We achieve this through our three main programs: The Assistive Technology Network the ATNet is dedicated to expanding the availability of tools, resources and technology that increase independence, improve personal productivity and enhance the quality of life for all Californians. We support 14 Device Lending Libraries, 4 Reuse Centers and 28 Independent Living Centers throughout the state. We provide funding, training, technical assistance to a network of over 1400 organizations and individuals. (atnet.org) Systems Change Network Since 1998, CFILC has led the Systems Change Network, a statewide disability advocacy network made up of Independent Living Centers and the communities we serve. We provide training, technical assistance and support to a network of over 2000 organizations and individuals in California. We support statewide and regional organizing campaigns that are driven by the community to increase access and equality for the community. (scnetca.org) Youth Organizing! Disabled & Proud (YO!) YO! is CFILC’s statewide action network run by, for and about youth with disabilities. We provide volunteer opportunities at 15 Independent Living Centers throughout California. YO! has three main goals: 1) provide volunteer and leadership opportunities for youth with disabilities that lead to higher education, economic self-sufficiency and independence; 2) to connect, educate and organize youth with disabilities to participate in civic engagement; and 3) to increase the capacity of Independent Living Centers to serve youth with disabilities. We provide training, technical assistance and support to a network of over 1500 organizations and individuals in California. (yodisabledproud.org)

Experience Matters connects skilled boomer talent with social sector organizations. The organization has attracted the support of prominent funders and leading think-tank organizations, built a solid customer base of skilled boomer talent, established an effective staffing and infrastructure, and created a buzz in the community.

SF City Impact is a non-profit organization that provides relief programs such as feeding, health care, and social services while breaking unhealthy cycles through education, leadership training, and spiritual transformation.

SYC trains and educates Chattanooga area youth, while conserving and protecting the natural environment. Corpsmembers – a diverse group of 12-18 year olds representing the region’s socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic demographics – work in teams to accomplish significant conservation projects on public lands. Through living and working as a team and through purposeful education and life skill sessions, corpsmembers gain valuable skills and a sense of their ability to make a difference. Help empower our young adults to make a difference.

RSVP is a multiservice nonprofit organization that utilizes volunteers to help meet critical human needs in and around Montgomery County, PA. RSVP’s Volunteer Impact Programs focus on the needs of vulnerable populations including disadvantaged preschool children, at-risk youth, the elderly, those with low literacy skills, the unemployed, veterans and struggling nonprofit organizations.

Raphael House, the first shelter for children and families experiencing homelessness in Northern California, provides an environment of loving support where families are able to move toward brighter and more hopeful futures. The mission of Raphael House is to help at-risk children and their parents achieve stable housing and financial independence, while strengthening family bonds and personal dignity. We provide a spectrum of full family support through various programs, including Residential Services, AfterSchool Tutoring, ChildReach and AfterCare Services where we partner with parents to engage the hearts and minds of the whole child as they experience the world around them.

The Mental Health Association of Nebraska (MHA-NE) is a consumer-run, voluntary not-for-profit statewide association with Chapters located in communities throughout Nebraska. MHA-NE brings together service recipients, families, professionals, advocates and concerned citizens to address all aspects of mental health and mental illness. We are dedicated to ensuring that public mental health policy is just, fair and promotes equality and opportunity. MHA-NE supports freedom for individuals with mental illness. Freedom to take advantage of any of life’s opportunities. Freedom to decide where one lives, works; and the important thing they will do with their lives, the relationships they establish, how they chose to contribute to their community, and what services they will use.

The Texas League of Young Voters Education Fund empowers young people to participate in the democratic process and create change on the local, state and national level – with a focus on non‐college youth and youth from low‐income communities and communities of color. The League makes political engagement relevant by meeting young people where they are, working on issues that affect their lives, and providing them with the tools, training, and support to become serious catalysts for change in their communities.