Springfield's Fort Pleasant Project aims to support youth, re-entry

An organization helping formerly incarcerated people is creating a home in Springfield. 22 News reporter Lexi White is live in studio with what this program can offer. Lexi? Kaylee, this collaboration effort is made up of three sub-organizations, each giving their all to helping formerly incarcerated people re-enter life after lockup. It's my calling. I can say this is my calling. Being drawn to help previously incarcerated people to re-enter the life they once knew. Justice for Housing, Trade Corps, and Youth in Crisis are joining forces, combining their efforts to keep people off the streets, out of returning to prison, and getting back onto their feet. One of these organizations' leaders says, Well, this issue hits close to home. I lost a child when I was incarcerated. Making sure that no mother has experienced what I experienced, being separated from my child when mothers go to prison. The children need them. This collaboration is being called the Core Path Alliance Pipeline, opening their new headquarters at 132 Fort Pleasant Avenue in Springfield, helping to give people in the community a second chance and let them know help is available in their own backyard. Nobody should be judged by the worst moment in their lives. So this program is designed to help those young men and women to transition to making good decisions and stacking one good decision next to another. Cutting the ribbon for new beginnings, restarting the clock, and entering a new era of life. Now after the ribbon cutting, these new organizations are celebrating this milestone at White Lion Brewing Company, hoping to meet some new faces that they can help if they need it. CorePath is offering people CDL training courses, entrepreneurship training, and preparation to creating thriving businesses, creating a comprehensive pathway from re-entry to economic independence. Sometimes when individuals come back home, they're not necessarily applicable for certain jobs, but this is a career path that can really put food on the table, and some of these individuals are just looking for that second chance. Justice for Housing, Trade Corps, and Youth in Crisis are encouraging anyone who needs assistance or knows of anyone needing help to seek out their resources. Now if you or someone you know needs help navigating life after prison, head over to CorePaths headquarters at 132 Fort Pleasant Avenue in Springfield. Working for you, Lexi White, 22 News.