MONTGOMERY – A northeast Alabama nonprofit will use a $42,000 grant awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey to launch a program to help formerly incarcerated men re-enter their communities in four counties.
Extended Family serves families of incarcerated people in Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties. The new program, known as Extended Success for Life, is a personalized, 20-week course for men who are leaving incarceration. The lessons will be focused on helping the men identify and accomplish their goals as they transition back into society.
“This program is aimed at strengthening families and reducing recidivism,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend Extended Family for helping men adjust to life after incarceration and thrive in their communities after they have paid their debt to society.”
Extended Family will also use grant funds to support the Extended Family for Kids program. This program for children with incarcerated loved ones consists of nine interactive lessons to teach them how to make better choices in life.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Many men who have been incarcerated need training and support to live productive lives once they are released,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of this initiative and its goal of guiding men in a positive direction in their lives.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
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