A New Program Model at Fortune: Introducing Atlas HOPE

A New Program Model at Fortune: Introducing Atlas HOPE

01/15/2025

In May, United Way of New York City provided The Fortune Society with a grant to implement a new program model, Atlas HOPE – Healing, Opportunity, Progress, Empowerment – bolstering existing community violence intervention and prevention strategies in NYC. The program will serve men aged 25-40 living in the South Bronx, targeting individuals most likely to engage in community violence.  

Atlas HOPE is divided into four phases, beginning with community outreach and eventually aiming to connect participants with stable employment. Jasmine, an Atlas crew liaison, explained that each phase prioritizes individualized support, allowing participants to move forward at their own pace.  

Even though we start in cohorts, not everyone will progress at the same speed,” Jasmine said. “Also, we are taking on smaller-sized cohorts, so this is a high-engagement program. All of the staff members will be comfortable and familiar with all participants. We want to provide support throughout the process.” 

Phase one of Atlas HOPE focuses on community outreach and participant recruitment. Fortune’s community navigators actively engage with eligible individuals in the South Bronx and refer them to the program.  

Many community navigators either grew up in the South Bronx or have been personally impacted by the criminal legal system. Randi Rothschild, our Chief Program Officer, emphasized the importance of building a team of individuals with lived experience.    

“Their lived experience helps them engage with the community,” Randi said. “For example, Laron [the Atlas Program Director for Outreach] knows everybody in the South Bronx. The people who come from that area, or who have been through the system, use their own experiences to guide them and connect with the community we serve.”

Phase two is Cognitive Behavior Intervention (CBI), which focuses on employment readiness. This phase addresses the environmental factors that may have led participants to involvement with the criminal legal system.  

During this phase, participants will attend workshops like “Anger Management” and “Thinking for a Change,” where they will learn skills to help reframe their mindsets in preparation for the subsequent phases of the program.  

Phases three and four heavily focus on employment readiness, as participants will enter a transitional work program in phase three. Crew liaisons will support participants throughout the process, facilitating a positive work and learning environment where they can practice new professional skills. 

During this phase, participants will begin working in a transitional role with one of our employment partners. Crew liaisons will take them to their job sites and then bring them back to Fortune for further professional development after they complete the workday. 

“Our crew liaisons have already partnered with several employment partners so that once individuals have reached phase three, they will be connected to do transitional work,” Randi explained. “They will have the freedom to explore different industries. With United Way, we were able to move away from our standard construction jobs to think about what else could be out there for our participants.” 

In the program’s final phase, Atlas staff will work closely with participants to develop a job plan. After completing the transitional work program, participants can enter the culinary industry, animal rescue work, or other professional fields.   

As a crew liaison, Jasmine looks forward to working with participants and helping them develop a plan for success.

“I like this phase so much because we’re not just giving them interview clothes, polishing their resumes and sending them on their way. We really want to help them find a job or an internship in their desired field... By the end of the program, our participants will have all the tools they need to succeed and find employment.”

Although Atlas HOPE is still in its first phase, the Atlas staff looks forward to piloting this innovative program. Fortune is proud to partner with United Way of NYC on this transformative program model and to continue empowering our community with tangible opportunities for success  

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