About Reentry House Plus
Reentry House Plus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to assisting formerly incarcerated people reintegrate back into the community as healthy, productive citizens. We at Reentry House Plus believe in second chances and are committed to doing our part to ensure that people receive the support, skills, and encouragement they need to rebuild their lives.
Our History
For years, The Alamance/Orange Prison Ministry has sponsored weekly meetings between Yokefellow volunteers(https://yokefellowprisonministry.org) and the residents of Orange Correctional Facility. After a three year hiatus, Yokefellows is again meetintgon Tuesday nights at OCC.
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Taking note of the critical need for post-incarceration housing, a group of volunteers and supporters committed to start a non-profit corporation to provide housing and needed support for those being released from prison. In September, 2019, we met as the founding Board of Reentry House Plus, Inc. and voted to incorporate, which was done in October 2019. The first year was spent determining a reentry model and raising needed funds for a house and SWIT operations.
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In January, 2021 the Board made a commitment to find a house in the Hillsborough area and began to raise the funds necessary. In March, we placed a bid on a home in the Carolina Loop neighborhood, close to the bus and shopping. Within 3 months, the $93,000 was raised for the closing costs and down payment, through Self Help Credit Union of Durham. The house began operation in June, 2021, and is fully functioning with 4 residents, and a residential manager.
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​In November 2020, we began offering SWIT classes, alternating monthly between a church in Chapel Hill and one in Hillsborough. Our transitional house is the first facility in northern Orange County to provide the housing and emotional support so desperately needed to reduce recidivism and rebuild lives.
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SWIT
In addition to providing shelter, Reentry House Plus has partnered with SWIT – Success While in Transition – to offer life skills training and one-on-one mentorship to the residents. A justice-involved individual’s integration back into the community requires social skills such as self-advocacy, respect for community and the ability to form positive relationships. SWIT classes teach these important life skills while certified Peer Support Specialists provide personalized counseling and help residents find permanent housing, employment and needed healthcare services.
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The SWIT program, www.success while in transition.org, was developed by Tommy Green and William Elmore who themselves are formerly incarcerated. Green and Elmore understand the challenges of reentry, and have considerable training and experience working with people in transition. They oversee the day to day operations of Reentry House Plus and are responsible for hiring staff. Now that the house is fully operational, RHP will be responding to the need for education and support beyond the walls of our transition house by opening the SWIT program to participants in the larger community, both men and women.
Our Commitment to Impact
At Reentry House Plus, we are committed to creating a lasting impact by breaking the cycle of recidivism and promoting successful reintegration. Our organization strives to measure its success not only by the number of individuals served but by the positive transformations witnessed in the lives of those we support. We believe in the power of second chances and are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and understanding community.