Is there a branch of The Fortune Society in my state? The Fortune Society is only able to provide services to individuals living in the New York City area. However, there may be similar organizations closer to home that can assist you. Our Resources and Publications page has a number of helpful links and resources for people who live outside of New York City. We also recommend getting in touch with your local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union. They should be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you locally.
I want to start my own version of The Fortune Society – how do I do it? Starting a nonprofit service organization is a daunting task that can often take several years to bring to fruition. Generally, we recommend beginning by volunteering with a local organization that has a similar mission so you can get a sense of the day-to-day activities of this type of work environment. If you still want to start your own organization, this article includes lots of tips, along with all the necessary legal and financial information.
How do I request a subscription to Fortune News? Subscriptions to Fortune News are offered free-of-charge to incarcerated individuals and can be requested here . All non-incarcerated readers who donate $30 or more will automatically receive a one-year subscription to the Fortune News. The Fortune News is an unfunded initiative that The Fortune Society provides as a part of our commitment to education and advocacy. Please help us continue to offer this valuable resource by making a (tax-deductible) gift today. Thank you!
I’m scheduled to be released from prison in a couple of months. How can I obtain a Letter of Reasonable Assurance? Letters of Reasonable Assurance guarantee that The Fortune Society will be able to provide you with reentry services upon your release from jail or prison. You can request one by sending a letter to the following address:
Edward Hosek
c/o The Fortune Society
29-76 Northern Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
RE: Letter of Reasonable Assurance
I wrote a book about criminal justice issues and/or my time in prison. Can you publish it? If not, can you recommend a publisher who might be interested? Congratulations on finishing your book! While we are unable to publish your manuscript, we’ve noticed that many of our supporters use Publish America. And remember, we are always accepting articles for Fortune News! Be sure to check out the submission guidelines, and download the most recent issue, by clicking here.
I’m a prison artist. Can you help me find a gallery or other means to sell my work? (I’ll even give you a percentage of the proceeds!) The Fortune News includes a regular feature called “Center Stage”, in which we display the creative works of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. Unfortunately, we are unable to broker or display art outside of this context.
I have a loved one in prison who would like to receive more mail. Does The Fortune Society have a pen pal service? Can I place an ad for a pen pal in Fortune News? The Fortune Society does not provide pen pal services, but there are many organizations out there that do. Prison Pen Pals might be a good place to start.
I feel as though my rights are being violated because of my criminal justice status. Can you help? The Fortune Society is dedicated to helping people reenter their community successfully after prison. However, with the exception of limited post-incarcerative custody and child support issues, The Fortune Society does not provide legal advice or representation. We recommend contacting the Legal Aid Society or your local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union for suggestions or assistance. If you live in New York, you might also reach out to Legal Services of New York.
I was released from prison several years ago and I’m still having a hard time getting a job. Do you have any suggestions? Finding employment after incarceration is challenging. If you live in the New York City area, we encourage you to take advantage of our Employment Services . You might also want to listen to a NPR story about Mark Klass, a Fortune Society staff member who faced – and overcame – a similar predicament. Depending on your skills and interests, you might also want to explore the possibility of working at a nonprofit organization, which are generally more forgiving of past indiscretions. Idealist.org can help you search for openings in your area.
Why do I need a workshop on job readiness? We understand that people have attended other job readiness programs or may have work history and believe they are prepared. We still encourage clients to participate in our two-week job readiness workshop, which places emphasis on the soft-skills necessary to maintain employment. We also work on how to answer the “conviction question” during interviews, and then do mock interviews to practice these new techniques. You can learn more about our employment services, including this workshop, by clicking here.
I’m working with a group that is looking to replicate your reentry service model. Is there a way for me to get my specific questions answered? Our Resources and Publications page is a good place to start. If you still have questions about a specific program or service, please send an email to info@fortunesociety.org, and we will be sure to connect you to appropriate staff personnel.