STRAIGHT STREET REENTRY PROGRAM

 

"In helping others, we shall help ourselves."  Unknown

History
In existence since 1998, the Straight Street Reentry Program (SSRP) has provided social services and job readiness training and placement support for ex-offenders and their families.

Mission
The Mission of SSRP is to:

  • empower inmates with the ability to have a successful reentry back into the community and wherever possible assist in reuniting them with their families.
  • educate the incarnated, formerly incarcerated, their families and anyone victimized by a crime with job readiness skills that will help them become contributing members of society. Also, help to educate them on how to obtain legal, educational, social and mental health services for themselves and their families.
  • partner with other community service organizations to maintain the sustainability of the program’s activities.
  • emancipate ex-offenders and their families with a connection to the Cathedral International church while addressing them and their families’ spiritual needs.

Program Offerings

Over the course of 10 years and with a small voluntary, unpaid staff, SSRP has supported the ex-offender population in Perth Amboy and the surrounding communities without allowing the temporary lack of resources to dampen their enthusiasm. Lead by a Director who is a former Juvenile Justice Commission employee and a small volunteer staff, the SSRP provides on-site job readiness training development and food and clothing services. Also, through community partners, they provide job placement, identification restoration and family counseling through the Cathedral Community Counseling Center.

  • Family - provide support to ex-offenders and their families where needed, with legal, educational, social and mental health services as well as planned activities for their dependent children.
  • Aftercare - establish or work with programs that provide employment, transportation, mental health, substance abuse and social services that can help to reduce the recidivism rate of the ex-offender.
  • Hispanic Translation Services - provide translation assistance for client documentation and legal services. Regardless of the size of the staff, this SSRP has established and continues to meet the following:

Specific Goals and Objectives:

First 24 hours:

Provide case management services, including food, clothing, and identification restoration
Provide mentoring and counseling from a faith-based team of professionals
Provide receive emergency shelter care
  

Thereafter

Enroll in job readiness training — PC knowledge, interviewing skills and job preparedness
Referrals for general and substance abuse counseling
Support with job placement assistance
    

Contact Us

If you would like more information regarding the Straight Street Reentry Program contact the Program Director, Renee Turk at (732) 826-0447 or renees@thecathedral.org