Richard's Journey

After incarceration, stable housing and employment lay the foundation for successful reentry. Without support, the journey back into community life can be an uphill battle. Unfortunately, nearly half of people leaving state prison end up in New York City’s shelter system.

This holiday season, we need YOUR help to ensure New Yorkers returning home have everything they need to rebuild their lives and achieve their goals.

Osborne Association provides comprehensive programs so our participants can secure affordable housing, find meaningful work, reconnect with loved ones, and access tailored services to make the transition a success. We couldn’t do it without your help.

Richard knows the importance of our reentry resources firsthand. A loving father and talented artist, Richard served in Vietnam and made difficult and desperate choices when he couldn’t find work after coming home. After 19 years of incarceration, he became the very first resident of our Fulton Community Reentry Center, which we proudly opened in May. This groundbreaking program—housed in a former state prison now transformed into a welcoming place of refuge—offers transitional housing and vital reentry services for men over 50, helping them build a new path forward.

At Fulton, Richard had the time, space, and support to focus on his career and education goals. “They embraced me with love. They helped me with benefits, mental health needs, education, clothing, and meals,” he says. Richard is now working as a community engagement specialist and pursuing a degree in human services. He hopes to get into policy work to reform our criminal legal system.

Housing has been critical to his success: “Having that safe haven, a roof over your head— it is the most important thing in the world.” Richard recently moved into his own apartment in Brooklyn, marking the next chapter on his remarkable journey.

Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, and opportunities to contribute to their communities after incarceration. Your support enables Osborne to touch the lives of over 14,000 people each year. With your help, we can continue to deliver our vital services:

• $1,000 supports a month of case management and trauma-informed care for one resident returning to the community from incarceration 
• $500 provides a week of nutritious meals for five Fulton residents 
• $250 funds five welcome packages of essentials like toiletries and bedding for new Fulton residents

Please consider making a gift to Osborne today. Your support will help more people like Richard beat the odds and thrive after incarceration.