Programs and Services

Housing

The Fair Housing Act identifies seven classes protected by law against discrimination except those who are formerly incarcerated. In the state of Georgia, formerly incarcerated persons, in many cases, are denied the ability to rent an apartment or a house.

With the lack of housing being one of the main reasons people return to the carceral system, LOPATL, will provide transitional housing for women up to six months at The Imani Center.  Once they complete the program, we will assist the women in finding independent housing and work toward homeownership.

Property Management

LOPATL works through JK Management, LLC to manage the Imani Center where the woman reside and receive supportive services.

LIving On Purpose ATL and JK Management, LLC partner to provide the following services:

• Creates lease agreements

• Manage Financials

• Handle repairs and routine maintenance

• Landscaping

• Enforce lease agreement and resolve disputes

• Border screening

• Routine property inspections

• Ensure timely insurance and tax payments.

Click here for more information.

Employment

Many returning citizens face high unemployment with almost 75% out of work within three years of release. Our partner staffing agencies will work one-on-one to provide employment placement assistance and guide participants through the job-search process. They will help with creating or assist in tailoring resumes, cover letters, and interviewing techniques along with providing tips on how to effectively market themselves. Once they secure a job, we will begin working on their Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP).

Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP)

Our career counselors will work with participants to develop written pre and post employment/career plans to help in attaining long-term goals.  The women will work one-on-one with our career counselors to create a 30/60/90-day documented plan and determine action steps needed to achieve long-term career goals. It will also include, but not limited to: 

- Determining Educational requirements

- Mentorship 

- Skills assessment

Counseling

Counseling for women coming out of the carceral system is critically important to their successful reentry.  The ones who are most affected are those from low-income households, women of color, unemployed and mothers of young children.  According to the American Psychological Association, incarcerated women are 12% – 18% more likely to suffer from mental illness than incarcerated men.  The benefits of receiving counseling upon release are: 

• Greater self-acceptance and self-esteem

• Confidence in their abilities

• Learn ways to manage anger and other emotions

• Relief from depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions

Counseling will allow the participants to work toward a goal that will bring peace of mind and reduce the likelihood of them being reincarcerated.

Life Skills

Financial Literacy Courses

LOPATL will partner with Bank On Atlanta to open Bank On certified accounts; offer no overdraft or hidden fees; a low minimum opening deposit; free deposits and withdrawals; and a low monthly fee. In addition, they will provide one-on-one coaching and the money smart education series.

Women Living Healthy

Women experience a significant amount of stress and trauma as a result of being incarcerated.  Unfortunately, once they are released, some of these mental health conditions are not being addressed.  With roughly, 86,000 incarcerated women being released in Georgia each year, it was important to create a program that focuses on Women’s Healthcare and Wellness.  The “Women Living Healthy” initiative will help formerly incarcerated women reduce stress and overcome trauma through counseling, nutrition education/fitness and horticultural therapy.

GED/Post-Secondary Education

The majority of the new jobs created over the next several years will require a high school diploma or a GED.  In partnership with the Urban League, we will provide online GED instruction to those who are interested in taking the test.  For post-secondary participants, we will coach and provide the tools they need to take the SAT/ACT and gain admission to college.