MAIC application for a Second Chance CAREERRS grant from the U. S. Department of Justice

April 22, 2020

Gwendolyn W. Darty, Executive Director
Mobile Area Interfaith Conference
PO Box 16605
Mobile, AL 36616-0605

Dear Ms. Darty:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP), I strongly endorse the MAIC application for a Second Chance CAREERRS grant from the U. S. Department of Justice. PEP supports this grant to continue the development of the necessary rehabilitation and successful reentry for those returning from prison to our community.

PEP is a local, non-profit business association whose 220 member companies share the vision of applying best environmental practices to business and community issues. We support efforts that positively impact the triple bottom line, community, business and the environment. A healthy community includes opportunities for all individuals to receive the training and education that make them desirable employees. 

We recognize the difficulty facing the recently incarcerated in finding employment as well as the obstacles some businesses face in hiring those individuals. This program could serve to help both sides of the situation. Effective reentry services benefit the well-being of the entire community. The employment needs of released inmates must be addressed for there to be sound and sustainable economic development and improvements in public safety. 

We are pleased that the Mobile County Metro Jail has agreed to a partnership with your organization for reducing recidivism. The reduction of recidivism rates in Mobile County could have a significant impact on the overall recidivism rates for the State of Alabama. 

Efforts by Mobile Area Interfaith Conference for developing, coordinating, and delivering these reentry services are recognized and appreciated. As your program so aptly demonstrates, reducing recidivism is a complex multi-dimensional problem. Your program offers comprehensive and intense case management involving housing, career coaching, training and more. With this grant, the program can expand its outreach and its already demonstrated success. I applaud your efforts to focus on employment as a strategy to reduce recidivism. 

Please let us know how we can support the collaborative efforts for reentry initiatives that will improve services for released inmates and for the benefit of our community and local business employment needs.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Denson

Executive Director

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