Marquis was first introduced to The Fortune Society in June of 2022 when he received a court order to complete our nine-month Supervised Release program. Unfamiliar with Fortune’s programs and services, he was hesitant to begin. However, following the warm welcome from staff and community members, he saw Fortune as an environment that offered the potential to thrive.  

Supervised Release is a court-ordered program that provides community-based supervision and support for individuals with pending cases in the New York City Criminal or Supreme Court. Participants attend a series of check-ins with a case manager or clinical case coordinator to ensure their return to court as necessary while offering referrals to other Fortune programs. 

While involved in the program, Marquis participated in our Anger Management and Interactive Journaling workshops. Given the opportunity to reflect on his past behaviors, Marquis began to see a shift in his mindset.  

“The workshops helped me learn to better control my emotions,” Marquis shared. “I now know how to handle certain situations better, and that helped me better myself in general. The facilitators gave us steps to handle times when our emotions run high. They showed us what to do if anything ever comes up, especially living in a place like New York where you can find yourself in tough situations every day.” 

Marquis maintained constant contact with his case manager and Court Advocates. He received continued support to stay on track with court appearances and workshop attendance throughout the program. Workshops took place from 9 AM to 12 PM each day, and he met with his case manager for regular check-ins. These check-ins allowed Marquis to ask questions and prepare for upcoming court appearances.  

Although Marquis struggled to adjust to this new schedule at first, he appreciated having a consistent routine.  

Marquis gained an enduring support system at Fortune, and this powerful network helped guide him toward success. He completed his program in 2023, and he has seen tremendous progress since then. Earlier this year, Marquis accepted a job at Fortune as a Community Engagement Specialist in the Supervised Release program.  

While enrolled in the Supervised Release program, Marquis made a point to explore as many Fortune programs as possible. He was introduced to Employment Services and some Family Services workshops. Although he did not have a particular need for these services, Marquis gathered information to share with others. 

“I never knew about Fortune beforehand, but now I make sure to tell my friends about it. I tell people I know who are involved in the justice system to talk to their lawyers about getting involved here. I think this is the best program you can offer to anybody. The people, the environment, the services that are offered; everything here has helped me grow as a person and I want everyone to know about the great experience I had here.”