Program Overview:
Fathers Building Futures (FBF) is a comprehensive six-month re-entry program designed to support fathers transitioning from incarceration. The program offers a wide array of support services and educational classes, focusing on both pre-release and post-release stages to ensure successful reintegration into society and the workforce. The primary objective of the program is to connect participants with stable, full-time employment upon its completion.
Pre-Release Services:
During the first two months, participants attend classes within the facility that cover essential topics such as healthy living, substance use recovery, trauma coping, and emotional regulation. They work closely with FBF staff to develop a comprehensive release plan that includes housing, community contacts, and assistance with any immediate support needed. FBF also coordinates Medicaid reinstatement before release to ensure that medical coverage continues seamlessly.
Post-Release Services:
Upon release, participants engage in four months of paid part-time on-the-job training at FBF’s downtown workshop. They receive a basic introduction to woodworking and welding, as well as the opportunity to obtain certifications like CPR/First Aid and OSHA 10. Case managers and peer support workers provide assistance with securing social documents, establishing healthcare, and accessing social services. Weekly classes focus on life skills, parenting, financial literacy, job preparation, and employability, with specific support in areas like resume building and mock interviews.
FBF remains committed to supporting participants even after the program ends, providing regular follow-ups and encouraging clients to return for further help. At FBF, the belief that “Once a client, always a client” drives the ongoing commitment to client success.
Why We Do What We Do
Individuals who have been incarcerated face a multitude of challenges upon release. In addition to common obstacles like securing housing, employment, and establishing healthy routines, fathers often deal with strained or disrupted relationships with their immediate families—particularly their children, significant others, and co-parents. These fathers also face heightened risks of social isolation, economic instability, and behavioral health issues, such as substance use disorders. These compounded challenges can make it difficult to secure stable employment and financial independence, both of which are crucial for supporting their children. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in the loss of visitation, custody, or even parental rights.
Fathers Building Futures (FBF) was created to fill critical gaps in re-entry programs and to support re-entry citizens with a focus on workforce training, mentorship, and equitable access to sustainable employment opportunities. FBF provides a comprehensive, hands-on approach that prepares fathers for quality employment and offers the support needed to succeed long after their release. By focusing on workforce readiness and wraparound services, FBF helps fathers achieve self-sufficiency, break the cycle of poverty, and foster family stability.
FBF defines success not solely by traditional metrics but by tangible, meaningful achievements in the lives of clients. Success is demonstrated when a client lands a job interview, secures employment, maintains sobriety, retains their driver’s license, or meets the requirements set by their probation officers. Even more profoundly, success is seen in the renewed sense of purpose and pride that many clients experience. FBF also works to redefine success by recognizing that for many of their clients, having a safe place to sleep, shoes on their feet, and receiving their first legitimate paycheck represents a monumental victory in the face of overwhelming barriers. At FBF, these milestones are celebrated, as they reflect the profound impact they have on an individual’s journey toward stability and self-sufficiency.
