Firm Foundation of PA

Transitional Housing Program provides transitional living services to 14 men transitioning from emergency shelter, incarceration or drug and alcohol treatment. We are in need of churches who will “adopt” one of the bedrooms and pray for the men there and assist with the furnishings.

We also have a home for 2 Dads and their children.

To receive an application or more information (such as a needs list for the house) please contact Ed Martin, Transition House Program Director at emartin@firmfoundation.org or (717) 233-6133 x201.

You can also Download an Application and then fax (717-754-0017), mail or drop it off to Ed Martin at 28 N. 19th St., Harrisburg, PA 17103.

Click Here for Driving Directions to our main Firm Foundation Transition House at 28 N. 19th St., Harrisburg, PA 17103

Download Brochure for more information

Living in Balance (LIB) is a 17-week Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention for male Ex-offenders. Being enrolled in LIB also allows the participant to access funding for basic needs such as Housing, Employment Support, Transportation, etc.
For more information contact John Thompson at (717) 649-3387 jthompson@firmfoundation.org

Download Flier for more information

Proud Dads is a fatherhood initiative for those reentering the community from the criminal justice system. Fathers work together to strengthen their ties to their families and communities. Proud Dads PLUS is offered for those who want further coaching in their development as a father. For more information on this 12-week program please contact John Thompson, our Proud Dads Director, at jthompson@firmfoundation.org or (717) 649-3387.

Download Brochure for more information

Ready4Work teaches ex-offenders over the span of 4 sessions how to land gainful employment as well as establish and pursue career goals.

To enroll contact CEEED by phone or in person:

Center for Education, Employment & Entrepreneurial Development (CEEED)

PNC Building

1301 Derry St., 3rd Floor

Harrisburg, PA 17104

717-724-4834

For more information contact Vladimir Beaufils at (717) 385-1142 (president@firmfoundation.org)

Successful Ex-offenders Mentoring Group (an initiative of the Capital Ex-Offenders Support Coalition and Dauphin County Adult Probation) provides a group mentoring setting for Ex-offenders that utilizes Successful Ex-Offenders as a mentoring resource. Every week focuses upon a different helpful topic that's important for successful reintegration.

Download Flier for more information

For more information please contact J. Stewart Henretta, our Transitional Housing Intern, at jstewart@firmfoundation.org or (717) 233-6133 x203.

FirmWorks is Firm Foundation’s holistic asset-based approach to systemically reintegrate ex-offender fathers by providing a wholistic JOB TRAINING program focussing on construction and weatherization.

Who is eligible: Low-income unemployed persons with barriers to employment (such as a criminal record and/or a drug/alcohol disability) who are seeking training in construction / weatherization and job placement.

FirmWorks also is a HUD Section 3 training program. FirmWorks addresses the social, mental, spiritual and emotional spheres. FirmWorks combines:

1. Successful Re-entry of Ex-offender Fathers into the workforce and community

2. Community Development through Service Learning Construction and WeatherizationProjects completed by FirmWorks participants

3. Increasing the Social Capital of Ex-Offenders through Community Connections

4. Training Stipends are at times available

5. Case Management Services- assist participants obtain appropriate social services (ie– drug and alcohol counseling, possible employment opportunities, GED classes, etc.)

6. Participants also enroll in Living in Balance Recovery Support and Proud Dads (if they are a father)

For more information please contact John Thompson at jthompson@firmfoundation.org or (717) 649-3387.

Download Brochure for more information

Opportunity Builders, Inc. ("OBI") is a for-profit corporation (with a HUD Section 3 designation) in which Firm Foundation of Pa., a nonprofit Community Development Corp., holds all the stock. It is a “Social Enterprise” of Firm Foundation. By “Social Enterprise” we are referring to Opportunity Builders being an earned-income business undertaken by the nonprofit Firm Foundation to provide career paths for under-resourced communities as well as generate revenue in support of the nonprofit’s social mission. Opportunity Builders is concerned with the “triple bottom line”—profits (earned income), people (its social impact) and the planet (its environmental impact). Firm Foundation received a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services to capitalize OBI.

OBI is committed to providing a drug-free work place, and therefore employees are required to pass an initial drug test and random drug tests thereafter. Please be honest regarding any criminal record since we hire many ex-offenders. You can Download the Employment Application

Opportunity Builders, Inc.

3401 N. 6th St.

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Phone 717-238-6900 FAX 717-754-0211 obnowinc@comcast.net

cresc

Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition

Firm Foundation is an active partner in this coalition of about twenty-five governmental and human service organizations to help meet the unique needs of ex-offenders in our community.
The vision of the Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition is that every ex-offender has access to the services and resources necessary to maintain a productive, crime-free life. The efforts of the Coalition will benefit not only the ex-offenders but also the entire community as crime is reduced and ex-offenders become productive community members.
The Coalition has undertaken several projects designed to improve coordination and communication between service providers including the development of a service directory and regular newsletter. A key project of the Coalition is working with potential employers and improving job training opportunities for ex-offenders.

CRESC meets on the third Thursday of every month at 3:30 pm at the Capital Region Careerlink, 349 Wiconisco St., Harrisburg, PA 17110

Reentry Management Organization of the Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition (CRESC)

Firm Foundation works closely with CRESC to provide reentry case management. At times there are funds available for some of the services needed for a successful reentry. Referrals are also made to CRESC members who often have resources to provide necessary reentry services such as:

Employment Services
Access to Mental Health Care
D&A Counseling to Break the Bonds of Addiction
Offering Safe Places to Live
Fostering Meaningful Relationships
Family Support
Developing Life Skills
Providing Transportation, Training, Education, and Career Services

For more information please contact:
Vladimir Beaufils

Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition, President

Center for Education, Employment & Entrepreneurial Development (CEEED)

PNC Building

1301 Derry St., 3rd Floor

Harrisburg, PA 17104

Email: rc@firmfoundation.org

Phone: 717-385-1142 FAX: 717-724-4841

For Driving Directions to CEEED and the Reentry Management Org. Coord. Click Here

Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition Resource Directory