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Justice Involved
A prison sentence doesn’t have to stop someone from reaching their goals.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’“
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ –
Matthew 25:34-40
HopeWorks believes all people deserve two things – hope and a job. Being confined in Shelby County Division of Corrections today does not mean that a stable, meaningful career is impossible for tomorrow.
In 2016, SCDC invited HopeWorks to provide our flagship program, Personal and Career Development behind bars within the local prison system.
This partnership has resulted in hundreds of inmates that have been released and have found a new way of life. Since 2016, we have introduced additional programming that has ultimately dropped the recidivism rate significantly.
Personal & Career Development
HopeWorks’ Personal and Career Development (PCD) course is a 13‐week, program that will unlock professional skills and knowledge needed to grow as a professional. Through 220 hours of classroom instruction, counseling and mentorship, our PCD graduates gain the skills needed to obtain and keep a meaningful career upon their release. This stepping stone gives students the opportunity to participate in the Hope 2 Hire program.
At HopeWorks, we believe that employment is a gift from God and a way to honor Him. Our PCD students, in addition to time with trained counselors, will also have access to a faith encourager. This volunteer serves as a source of professional and spiritual guidance. Oftentimes, these relationships continue long after students graduate from the PCD class. Are you interested in being a Faith Encourager? Learn more.
Do you have a loved one who is currently in prison that could benefit from this program? Call 901-272-3700 for more information.
Adult Education
in Prison
Individuals who are incarcerated in a Shelby County Correctional facility have the opportunity to gain their HiSET – High School Equivalency Diploma – through HopeWorks before they are released.
Isn’t that a GED?
Think of it like Coke or Pepsi. They are both soft drinks, and people have opinions about which one tastes the best. GED and HiSET are brands of tests. The state of Tennessee prefers the HiSET brand of testing. What really matters is earning a high school equivalency diploma that helps build a better future.
HopeWorks AE graduates leave HopeWorks as better thinkers, better readers, stronger at math and ready to take on their next life goal.
Having a High School diploma gives access to more career opportunities than without one. On the average, a person with their HiSET has much more earning potential, an estimated $10,000 per year more!
Hope2Hire
Job-Skills Training
Hope 2 Hire is a technical job-skills program within Shelby County Division of Corrections. After students within SCDC complete HopeWorks’ Personal and Career Development Program, they are eligible to apply for a place in the Hope2Hire program.
Hope2Hire equips men and women in SCDC with the technical skills needed to obtain work that pays a living wage. Having a stable job that pays a living wage is one of the key factors that prevents recidivism – or a person returning to prison after release.
Simultaneously, these workers fill job gaps that exist in Memphis. The program provides life-changing work to people in need of a second chance while filling in-demand positions across the Mid-South.
For a more extensive look at the Hope2Hire program and its partners, click the link:
Ever feel like the barriers are too big and you are facing them all alone?
HopeWorks Case Management Team is in the business of breaking down barriers. No matter what the obstacle, they will work to help you overcome them.
All HopeWorks clients at SCDC are assigned a case manager who begins working to overcome barriers even before their release date.