Helping Offenders Prepare for Employment (H.O.P.E.).
Through the Helping Offenders Prepare for Employment (H.O.P.E.) program TBAH fosters pre-release services and the attainment of industry-recognized credentials to improve the long-term workforce outcomes of returning citizens to our community.
Tampa Bay Academy of Hope provides the reentry program using evidenced informed practices to assist returning citizens age 25 and over in transitioning back into the community by obtaining industry recognized credentials leading to sustainable
employment. TBAH has identified those demand
employment sectors in the community and created
vocational training strategies for men and women
previously incarcerated and released within 180 days
or currently under supervision to improve workforce
outcomes. In addition to vocational skills training,
participants will receive case management, mentoring,
life skills training, job placement assistance, mental
and substance abuse services where necessary, and follow-up services.
Eligible participants include males and females who:
- Are at least 25 years of age upon enrollment,
- Have never been convicted of a sex crime other than prostitution,
- Previously incarcerated and released within 180 days, or
- Under current supervision (i.e., confined in a correctional facility with release date within 6-months, residing in a residential reentry center, on electronic monitoring or home-based monitoring),
- Returning to Hillsborough County, FL.
The H.O.P.E. program provides services including Case Management, Mentoring, Educational Support (GED or High School Diplomas), Workforce Development
including training that leads to industry-recognized
credentials (apprenticeship opportunities, vocational
school, and others), Workforce Activities or Preparation
leading to sustainable employment (resume writing,
job readiness training, and job placement), Family
Reunification, and Legal Services.
Program Goals for clients include:
1) Life and Job coaching to help returning citizens re-acclimate to life in our communities.
2) Job Placement to help ensure success for clients returning to society.
3) Training that leads to industry-recognized credentials to ensure workforce success and to ensure that participants earn a sustainable living in a high demand industry.
4) Case Management Services will ensure that clients barriers to success are addressed. Case management services ensure that needs are assessed and met.
Returning citizens need mentors, job coaches, and tutors immediately to help with successful reentry. To volunteer as a mentor click here. If you are a returning citizen and need help, click here to complete an application.