Since 1991, The Fortune Society’s Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) program has remained dedicated to reducing prison and jail populations, providing thousands of individuals with comprehensive, supportive services, and enhancing public safety. 

At its core, Fortune’s ATI program is designed to address participants’ complex needs through access to resources and direct services. Upon enrollment in the program, participants are assigned a Case Manager and provided with a schedule that includes weekly individual and group sessions. Participants are also referred to one or more of Fortune’s wraparound services. 

Donovan, a Senior Case Manager with the ATI program, has witnessed firsthand the great value of ATI programming, especially at an organization such as Fortune that offers wraparound services in a one-stop-shop model.

ATI continues to evolve in response to the needs of program participants. Donovan shared that when he began working as Case Manager in 2023, the program functioned much differently than it does now. At that time, participants followed a standard service model, with each person required to complete 4 hours of programming at Fortune.

“They realized that we need to keep the participants busy, based on what we were seeing before,” Donovan explained. “Now, if they’re working or in school, they’ll be required to do 10 hours. If they’re not engaged in any other activities throughout the day, then they’ll have to do a total of 20 hours, including the community service. So that’s the standard we have now.”

Donovan explained that the entire ATI model has been reworked over time to address best each participant’s unique needs, including how ATI services are categorized based on a person’s charge. This also impacts the time someone spends in the ATI program, ranging from 6 months to a year.

“Now, under ATI, there is the Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP), and then there’s our Gun Diversion program, as well, which is focused on gun charges and serious felonies. When I first started, it was all just ATI. I’ve seen great success with the standard that we follow now.”

Since he started working at Fortune in 2023, Donovan has worked closely with many participants throughout their journeys, providing critical support to those on his caseload. He cultivates a welcoming, understanding environment where participants feel safe and supported throughout their time in the program.

As Donovan and the rest of the ATI team continue to support and empower participants at Fortune, he feels grateful to be a part of their success stories.

“Just as well as someone completing this program, I get the same gratification that I get when somebody completes their OSHA training or when somebody completes their GED or moves on from treatment services. Just seeing them achieve those goals and seeing that they’re excited about it is amazing.”