Coming home from prison or jail

Georgia Justice Project is a nonprofit that gives free legal help to people in Georgia who have been touched by the criminal legal system. It defends some people charged in Fulton and DeKalb counties and helps people clean up old records so it is easier to get a job or a home. It also helps with ending felony probation early, job license problems, and questions about voting.

Curator’s note: Free legal help to clear an old criminal record, which can open up jobs and housing.

First Step Staffing is a nonprofit staffing agency that has helped people facing barriers to work since 2007, including people who are homeless, veterans, and people coming home from incarceration. It places job seekers in light-industrial jobs, helps with rides to work, and offers coaching. Most people start work within 24 to 48 hours of applying.

Curator’s note: A nonprofit staffing agency that places people with records in light-industrial jobs and helps with rides to work. Most people start within a day or two of applying.

Georgia Works is a nonprofit that helps chronically homeless men become independent through a 6-to-12-month live-in program. While in the program, men get housing, paid transitional work, case management, and life-skills classes, plus help getting a GED, a driver's license, and a bank account. Men must stay drug- and alcohol-free, work 30+ hours a week, and save part of their pay.

Curator’s note: A live-in program of 6 to 12 months for men who have been homeless for a long time: housing, paid work and case management. Men must stay drug and alcohol free.

City of Refuge is a faith-based campus on Atlanta's Westside that helps people and families move out of crisis. It offers housing for women, children, and men, free job training, youth programs, a school, a campus kitchen, and an on-site health clinic. For housing, call and leave a message, because walk-ins are not taken.

Curator’s note: A Westside campus with housing, meals, job training and support for people returning from incarceration.

Integrity Transformations CDC is a nonprofit on Atlanta's Westside that helps people get jobs and rebuild their lives, with special focus on people coming home from prison or jail. They offer free job-readiness classes, resume and interview help, computer skills, case management, and connections to free vocational training and full-time work. They also work on affordable housing and financial literacy in the community.

Curator’s note: Free job-readiness classes, resume and interview help, and links to free job training on the Westside, with a focus on people coming home from prison or jail.

Goodwill of North Georgia runs thrift stores and uses the money to pay for free career centers. The centers help people look for jobs, use computers, work with a career coach, and take job training classes. It also helps people with barriers to work, such as a criminal record or a disability.

Curator’s note: Free career centers with job search help, coaching and training.

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is a civil rights and economic empowerment group that has served metro Atlanta since 1920. It helps low- and moderate-income families with housing counseling, homebuyer classes, job training, financial coaching, small business coaching and emergency financial help. Services are by appointment.

Curator’s note: Job training, housing counseling and financial coaching, by appointment. It has served metro Atlanta since 1920.

Motherhood Beyond Bars helps babies born to mothers in Georgia prisons, and the relatives or friends who care for them. They give baby supplies, monthly diapers and support, and they help mothers plan to come home and be with their children again.

Curator’s note: For mothers who are pregnant or gave birth while incarcerated in Georgia, and for the people caring for their babies: supplies, caregiver support and reentry planning.