This past year, we’ve been able to bring together our community in exciting and new ways. We sang together at our Arts Festival, opened the doors to our newest service center in the Bronx and rallied behind the Fair Chance for Housing Act to give all New Yorkers access to safe and affordable housing. With nearly 9,000 people served this year, we look forward to another year of addressing the needs of our participants.  

Financial contributions are always greatly appreciated and allow us to grow our vital, supportive services and programs and advocate for systemic change that promotes fair treatment for people with justice involvement. Here are a few additional ways to support Fortune:  

1. Join the Fortune Keys: By joining our monthly giving society, the Fortune Keys, you become a “key” to ending mass incarceration and unlocking the potential of justice-involved people in our community. Your monthly support allows us to sustain our impact on the lives of so many participants and their families.   

2. Donate Clothing and Cold Weather Essentials: We distribute clothing to participants year-round to meet their immediate needs. As the weather gets colder, the most requested and used items include pants and shirts for both men and women, along with coats, scarves, gloves and socks. These in-kind donations are welcomed and appreciated and can be dropped off at our Long Island Service Center. You can call 718-906-2991 for more information or with any questions.  

3. Volunteer Your Time: We are always eager to have volunteers share their expertise with our participants. Some examples of how to get involved include signing up to be a Mock Interview Volunteer to conduct mock interviews with Employment Services participants at our Long Island City Service Center twice per month, or giving a one-time, one-hour presentation to participants in The NEST on a topic of interest, including personal finance, parenting, industry experience and entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in volunteering can complete our online application or contact our Director of Volunteer Services, Ashley Otto, with any questions at aotto@fortunesociety.org.

4. Train to Run as a Fortune Flyer: Each year, the Fortune Flyers hit the pavement in the TCS New York City Marathon and run 26.2 miles to support our vital reentry services and promote alternatives to incarceration. As a Fortune Flyer, you are guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon as you fundraise through your friends, family and networks to strengthen our programming. Applications will be available on our website soon, or you can email development@fortunesociety.org with any questions.  

5. Subscribe to The Fortune News: The Fortune News is our biannual publication that offers comprehensive insight into our criminal legal system with updates from Fortune and writing and artwork from experts in the field or currently incarcerated people. Recent issues include deep dives into digital equity, prison conditions and housing for people returning from incarceration. Your subscription fee of $30 supports the free subscriptions of currently incarcerated people who receive this newsletter. You can subscribe today by emailing development@fortunesociety.org.  

6. Double Your Impact Where You Work: Many companies match donations made by their employees. To see if your donation can be magnified, you can check if your place of work has a matching gift program with Double the Donation.