Constructing Our Future – Innovative Re-Integration

Mission

Constructing our Future (COF) welcomes back previously incarcerated women who have demonstrated a sincere desire to be independent, law abiding citizens upon their return by providing a safe, affordable place to live immediately upon release and a path to permanent, stable housing.

COF surrounds the newly released woman with other women who have taken a similar journey and it prepares them for livable wage jobs, independent living, and family reintegration through: mentorships; connections with necessary resources; assistance with financial, social, and job skills; and access to education, recovery and mental health services.

COF also advocates for public policies that support full reintegration of previously incarcerated women.

ADVOCATING FOR WOMEN LEAVING PRISON

What does it take to be reintroduced into society? A group of women from the Indiana Women’s Prison participated in a public policy class to talk about life after prison and what they would need to be successful. Looking toward the future and the implied promise from Article 1, Section 18 of the Indiana Constitution that, upon their release, they will be reintegrated into society as full citizens, these ladies developed a program that they took all the way to the 2017 Indiana General Assembly. By a unanimous vote, this program, called Constructing Our Future, was endorsed as a reentry program for women leaving prison.