NEWS
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Big Town Going Green features The Fortune Society’s Environmental Remediation Training. Another effort on Fortune’s behalf to provide opportunities, skills and hope to formerly incarcerated men and women. View the article after the jump.
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Please join us for our weekly Wednesday cooking demonstrations at Castle Gardens. Details after the jump.
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The Fortune Society’s JoAnne Page is interviewed by BlackBook Mag online. Read the article after the jump.
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Fortune raised over $50,000, and over one hundred and fifty attendees enjoyed cocktails, outstanding music thanks to John Forte and DJ Layela, and an exciting array of silent auction items. Photo gallery after the jump.
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“…a spokesman for the Fortune Society, a New York-based nonprofit advocacy group for ex-offenders, hailed EEOC’s action as a welcome step forward. The labor market is “a totally different place” in terms of technology and employer access to personal background information than in 1990, when EEOC last issued guidance, said Glenn Martin, the organization’s vice president of public policy. As more small and medium-sized employers obtain criminal background information, they need guidance on how to “make the right decision” on using that information, Martin told BNA. EEOC’s updated guidance not only helps build “a level playing field” for ex-offenders seeking employment but also will expand the labor pool of qualified workers for employers that follow the guidance, Martin said.” Click the link above to read the full story!
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On March 19, 2012 Josue Ramos, Community Organizer with The Fortune Society, submitted testimony before the New York City Council Budget Hearing Committees. Read more after the jump.
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The Fortune Society’s JoAnne Page discusses prison reentry programs, and criminal law attorney Gabe Tapalaga talks about the latest criminal justice issues. Podcast link after the jump.
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Glenn E. Martin, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs for the Fortune Society, and Director of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy has written an Op-Ed in support of a bill to open up more employment opportunities for the formerly incarcerated. Read more after the jump.
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Experts Vote Fortune Society #1 in Positive Impact in Criminal Justice System!
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Toolkits titled, Employing Your Mission: Building Cultural Competence in Reentry Service Agencies and In Our Backyard: Overcoming Community Resistance to Rentry Housing, outline how to successfully employ men and women with criminal histories is now available. This is the product of a joint effort by The Fortune Society in partnership with the Prisoner Reentry Institute…
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Fall Benefit is a Rousing Success
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Published to celebrate 25 years of The Sentencing Project, To Build a Better Criminal Justice System: 25 Experts Envision the Next 25 Years of Reform also seeks to look into the future of the criminal justice system. Read more after the jump.
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“More than 300 members of New York City’s philanthropic, business, civic and theater communities gathered tonight to honor Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker and Broadway Producer Eric Krebs at the Fortune Society’s Annual Awards and Benefit Gala held at the Laura Pels Theater. Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Edward Albee and New York State Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright served as the evening’s honorary Co-Chairs. The Fortune Society is one of the nation’s most respected nonprofit organizations offering services to formerly incarcerated men and women…” Read the full story after the jump!
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“Glenn E. Martin, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs; Karen Williams, the Visionary and Co-Producer of “Bring You’re ‘A’ Game”; Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker; Betty P. Rauch, The Fortune Society Board Chair; JoAnne Page, President and Chief Executive Officer; Eric Krebs, Broadway Producer; Sherry Goldstein, Chief of Staff). More than 300 members of New York City’s philanthropic, business, civic and theater communities gathered on Monday at the Fortune Society’s Annual Awards and Benefit Gala. The event, held at the Laura Pels Theater, honored Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker and Broadway Producer Eric Krebs.” Read the full story after the jump!
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Do you know any young people (17-24) who live in West Harlem and are on probation? They are eleigable for a free pre-GED class from The Fortune Society! Students will participate in reading, writing, and math classes, as well as career exploration and internships. Cash incentives! Movie tickets, and even Metrocards! More after the Jump.
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The Fortune Society welcomed OASAS Chief Operating Officer, Ramon Rodriguez to three of their programs on Thursday, January 26, for a tour and an opportunity to meet and greet the staff and many of the residents.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded The Fortune Society a $300,000 grant to be used for a new green jobs-oriented training program.
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The Fortune Society is committed to helping ourselves and our associates stay up to date on the latest legislation impacting our shared mission.
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“West Harlem, NY This fall, mayor Michael Bloomberg joined The Fortune Society, Jonathan Rose Companies, and federal, state and local officials in celebrating the opening of Fortune’s “Castle Gardens,” a mixed-use affordable and green apartment complex. The total project cost was $43 million. Located at 625 West 140th St., the new 110,000 s/f building provides 114 apartments for formerly incarcerated individuals and low income families from the local community…” Read the full story after the jump!
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“The Fortune Society was joined by Mayor Bloomberg and other officials on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of “Castle Gardens”, a mixed-use affordable and green apartment complex in West Harlem. Located at 625 West 140th Street, the new 110,000 square-foot building will provide 114 apartments for formerly incarcerated individuals and low income families from the local community…” Read the full story after the jump.
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Samson Styles, one of Fortune’s esteemed board members, is a correspondent for BET (Black Entertainment Television). He shares his thoughts about the grand opening of our new residence and service center, Castle Gardens, on his blog, “Samson’s View”. Thanks for the shout-out, Samson!
“Thank God for the Fortune Society…. They are a non-for-profit organization based in NYC. Their primary mission is to support re-entry from prison and to promote alternatives to incarceration. The Fortune Society has been rocking for 43 years and they keep building up steam. They just built an eco-friendly affordable apartment complex in west Harlem that cost $42 million. It’s called Castle Gardens and it has 114 units…” Read the full blog post here.
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“Castle Gardens, an apartment complex in West Harlem for low-income families and formerly incarcerated residents, opened its doors on Wednesday. The 114-unit complex is in part created by the Fortune Society, a non-profit organization seeking to reintegrate former prisoners into communities. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and elected officials congratulated the society for their efforts and came out to welcome residents to their new homes…” Read the full story after the jump!
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“Harlem celebrated the opening of a new, green, affordable housing complex Wednesday. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was on hand to present ceremonial keys to some new residents of Castle Gardens. It offers permanent housing and on-site support services for former prisoners, and provides affordable apartments for members of the West Harlem community.” Read the full story and WATCH THE VIDEO after the jump!
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“Mayor Bloomberg Presents Apartment Keys to New Residents Including Formally Incarcerated Individuals and Low Income Families
NEW YORK – Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today joined The Fortune Society, Jonathan Rose Companies, and federal, state and local officials in celebrating the opening of Fortune’s “Castle Gardens,” a mixed-use affordable, supportive and green apartment complex in West Harlem. Located at 625 West 140th Street , the new 110,000 square-foot building will provide 114 apartments for homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and low income families from the local community. The Fortune Society is one of the most respected and effective alternative to incarceration and reentry agencies in the country.” Read the full story after the jump!
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“Castle Gardens- a 114 apartment building with supportive services for formerly incarcerated persons-opened in West Harlem in New York City today. Fifty units, with rents ranging from $624 for a studio to $1127 for a three-bedroom, will be set aside for ex-offenders, with the balance going to low-income families…” Read the full story here.
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“On Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will join JoAnne Page, President and CEO of The Fortune Society and Jonathan F.P. Rose, President of Jonathan Rose Companies in celebrating the grand opening of Castle Gardens, a 114-unit, eco-friendly apartment complex in West Harlem. The new $42 million building will offer permanent housing and support services for formerly incarcerated individuals and affordable apartments for members of the neighboring community…” Read the rest of the story here!
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Children and families from Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods gathered on Saturday at The Fortune Society’s supportive housing facility, The Fortune Academy, to receive nearly 1,000 book bags filled with school supplies, thanks to 300 men serving time at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, NY…
Download the pdf to read the full story!
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This Op-Ed by Fortune President and CEO, JoAnne Page, ran in all Brooklyn Courier Papers last week. Download the pdfs after the jump!
“As president and CEO of The Fortune Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the formerly incarcerated re-enter their communities, I support having prisoners do community service, including working at Asser Levy Park. Such service gives them the opportunity to be a part of a project and a team; giving them a chance to contribute to their community, which in turn leads them to re-enter the outside world with a positive outlook and a desire to start fresh…” Download the pdfs, after the jump, to read the full story!
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By JoAnne PageAs president and CEO of The Fortune Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the formerly incarcerated re-enter their communities, I support having prisoners do community service, including working at Asser Levy Park. Such service gives them the opportunity to be a part of a project and a team; giving them a chance to contribute to their community, which in turn leads them to re-enter the outside world with a positive outlook and a desire to start fresh.
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(Tuesday, August 17th, 2010)
…Then, she went to The Fortune Society.
“Everybody here is beautiful,” she gushed. “They believed in me.”
In the last two months, they helped her get the apartment, offered the GED course and got her substance-abuse counseling…
Read the full article by clicking here!
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“Ex-convicts and single moms with children are about to start living side by side in an unusual housing experiment that begins later this month in Harlem…” To read the full article, click here.
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“On Wednesday, July 28th and Thursday, July 29th, experts from around the country, including prosecutors, community advocates, and academic specialists gathered at John Jay for an innovative”Communities and Justice Conference: Partnerships & Challenges for the 21st Century” sponsored in partnership by the New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, and Jeremy Travis, President, John Jay College…” To read the full post about this conference, in which Fortune’s own Glenn E. Martin was a featured speaker, please click here.
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“The Fortune Society and the Jonathan Rose Companies are nearing completion of Fortune Castle Gardens at 625 West 140th Street that will contain 113 “affordable” apartments including 50 for homeless persons who previously been incarcerated….” Read the full article here.
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“Fifteen formerly incarcerated men and women recently celebrated a huge milestone in their lives – graduating from The Fortune Society’s Education Program and receiving their General Equivalency Diploma (GED)…”Read the full article here.
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“Appointment of First-ever Citywide Fatherhood Services Coordinator will Support City Agencies in Helping Fathers be Active and Accountable…” Read the full official press release here.
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“Those of us lucky enough to have grown up with a father know how valuable that support can be,” Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday, announcing the move at the Fortune Society in Queens...” Read the full article here.
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“On Thursday, June 17th , The Fortune Society was honored to host Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for a press conference during which he announced the launch of a citywide fatherhood initiative to strengthen New York City families by helping fathers be active in their children’s lives…” Read the full article here.
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“In the mid nineties, the Clinton administration and the Republican controlled congress passed landmark welfare reform legislation-and in New York Mayor Giuliani followed up with reforms of his own that have greatly reduced dependency. The lesson? Toughen up the eligibility rules, introduce work requirements, and disincentivize utilizing the state as daddy…” Read the full article here.
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“Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a citywide initiative from Long Island City last week that will enable city agencies to help fathers stay active in their children’s lives…” Read the full article here.
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“New York-Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has announced the launch of a citywide fatherhood initiative to strengthen New York City families by helping fathers be active in their children’s lives. The launch comes after the Mayor directed city agencies to review their policies and practices to make sure fathers were not unintentionally excluded from, or missing opportunities to engage in their children’s lives…” Read the full article here.
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“This year’s Father’s Day might have just passed, but joint efforts to achieve the Responsible Fatherhood Programs have just begun to take place…” Read the full article here.
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“More than a thousand extremely low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS will continue to receive permanent housing as a result of $30.2 million in grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During each of the next three years, this HUD funding will help provide permanent supportive housing for 1,232 households so they can manage their illnesses while receiving critically needed support services…” Read the full article here.
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The Castle was conceived, co-written, and directed by Fortune Founder David Rothenberg, and is co-written and performed by Vilma Oritz Donovan, Kenneth Harrigan, Angel Ramos, and Casimiro Torres – all of whom are former clients of The Fortune Society. This breathtaking drama follows the formerly incarcerated cast, which has collectively served over 70 years in prison, as they relate their harrowing, real-life journeys through adversity, crime, and redemption.
