Eric Tomasso
When you reenter society and have a felony on your record, you may feel the whole world is against you. While you may have a more challenging time than someone with a spotless slate, you’ll find that everyone is not against you. And if you need proof, look at this list of resources that help felons readapt to society and restart their lives.
Resources For Felons
There are various financial resources and job training assistance programs that are willing to help felons. The more you use, the easier it’ll be to restart your life. It’s worth noting that not every resource or program is available across the United States, so you may have to do some digging and contact as many as possible before you strike gold.
2023
Tax Forgiveness
We know how challenging it can be to pay off your tax debt.
The IRS just announced the 2023 Fresh Start Program, to qualify more people for tax relief!
Your Correctional Facility
Many correctional facility programs help felons get back on track before they are released. If you do not see one that applies to your situation on this list, check with your correctional facility to see if they have something similar:
- BEST (Tennessee) – Mentoring, networking, and training.
- Defy Ventures (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Washington) – Post-release program.
- LEAP (Florida) – Business training for female inmates.
- Mercy Corps Northwest (Oregon, Washington) – Grants, loans, and training to start a business.
- Prison Entrepreneurship Program (Texas) A “mini-MBA” for prisoners who want to learn about starting a small business once released.
- Project ReMADE (California) – Post-release program.
- The Last Mile – (California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma) – Builds skills in technology.
Local Resources
You may find local resources for felons, depending on where you live. The best way to find such resources is to Google “felon assistance” or “felon resources” plus your location.
Help For Felons
Help For Felons is an organization that offers support to inmates and ex-offenders with housing, jobs, legal aid, finances, and more.
Inmates To Entrepreneurs
This program teaches business-building basics to inmates in North Carolina to prep them for release.
SCORE
Felons can get free mentoring and advice, either online or in person, from their local SCORE chapter. SCORE teams up with former business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to help others learn the ins and outs of becoming their own boss.
Association Of Small Business Development Centers
Do you want to bypass the trouble that comes with job interviews and background checks after being released? Then you may want to start your own business, as many other felons do. To start a small business with minimal growing pains, contact the Association of Small Business Development Centers. They offer free counseling from marketing pros, accountants, and lawyers to help you become your own boss.
Prosper
Getting a personal loan to start a business or pay some expenses could make your transition to regular life much easier. Prosper is a peer-to-peer lender that offers loans with no background checks.
SBA Microloans
Some felons can qualify for SBA microloans to start their own business. Depending on your felony, you could get a loan of up to $50,000.
Pell Grants
A Pell Grant can give you cash to go to college, get your degree, and get a high-paying job upon release. You can’t get a Pell Grant while incarcerated, but you can receive those funds once released if you qualify by showing sufficient financial need.
Julia Anderson
