2019 Reentry Strategy Grants

Improving the lives of recently incarcerated individuals and their families

The Community Foundation sets aside targeted funds to support organizations that ensure formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering New Haven receive the support they need to reintegrate successfully into the community. This strategy aims to help empower returning residents so they are less likely to re-offend. Read more about our re-entry strategy.

A grant review committee consisting of experts in the field and Community Foundation staff reviews all the re-entry applications and scores them according to established criteria that rates organizations and programs.

Below is a list of re-entry organizations and their projects that were recommended for grants. To help these worthy organizations fulfill their missions, we hope you will consider supporting one or more with your donor advised funds.

2019 Approved Re-entry Grants

Believe in Me Empowerment Corporation

To support the Supportive Housing Program for Men and Women through RISE II Enhanced (Re-entering Individuals into Society through Empowerment). Learn more about Believe in Me Empowerment Corporation on giveGreater.org.

Center for Children's Advocacy

To support the Reentry Reform Project, which includes both system reform advocacy to improve reentry opportunities for 17-21 year-olds in New Haven and direct legal rights training services to emerging adults who are reentering New Haven. Learn more about Center for Children's Advocacy on giveGreater.org.

CLICC - Connecting Through Literacy: Incarcerated Parents, Their Children, & Caregivers

To support field-trips for New Haven children and their parents who were released from prison.

Community Bonds, Inc. (Connecticut Bail Fund)

To support the Family Justice Hub, which helps individuals and families fighting criminal and/or immigration cases develop expertise on the defense process, build a supportive community with each other, and identify actionable strategies to strengthen their own defense. Learn more about Community Bonds, Inc. on giveGreater.org.

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center

To support the Removing Legal Barriers to Re-entry program, which helps incarcerated and recently incarcerated veterans who have been unjustly denied benefits to gain access to the VA system and to remove other legal barriers to successful re-entry. Learn more about Connecticut Veterans Legal Center on giveGreater.org.

Goodwill Industries of Southern New England, Inc.

To support the New Haven Reentry Project, which provides comprehensive reentry services through a collaborative effort among multiple service providers. Learn more about Goodwill Industries of Southern New England on giveGreater.org.


New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc.

To provide legal services for formerly incarcerated individuals as well as policy and advocacy work. Learn more about New Haven Legal Assistance on giveGreater.org.

New Haven Women's Resettlement Working Group

To support Women's Resettlement Night, a monthly night of community building and celebration of women for formerly incarcerated women in New Haven.

VETTS, Inc.

To support advocacy and supportive services for New Haven children impacted by incarceration, community violence and dis-engagement from community supports and family.