In 2025, The Fortune Society saw a year of incredible growth, investment in community, and continued dedication to serving our participants. This year, we served over 18,000 participants across services and programs, equipping them with tools to help them succeed after incarceration.   

Through the introduction of new programs, like Atlas HOPE in the South Bronx, and the expansion of long-established services, like the opening of Food and Nutrition’s food pantry at our Long Island City service center, Fortune continues to offer critical support to our ever-growing community. Take a look at some of the milestones the Fortune community witnessed this past year.  

1. City Council Passed Just Home  

This September, the New York City Council passed the Just Home initiative, an innovative permanent, supportive and affordable housing project to be built on the campus of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in the Bronx. Following years of advocacy, this historic milestone marks a crucial step toward creating safe and stable homes for New Yorkers leaving incarceration who face chronic and complex medical needs and would otherwise experience homelessness.  

To stay current with what’s happening with Fortune, subscribe to the Fortune Weekly, our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to ensure you don’t miss any news, participant stories or upcoming events happening throughout the year. You can also keep up with the Fortune community on social media. Connect with us! 

2. Food and Nutrition Expands Its Reach

Earlier this year, we opened a new food pantry at the Long Island City (LIC) service center, stocked with fresh produce and shelf-stable goods for participants. After seeing the success of the Fortune Fresh Food Pantry at Fortune’s Supervised Release Program (SRP) office in the Bronx in 2023, the Food and Nutrition program is thrilled to have now expanded its reach in the community. In May, we also hosted the first Mobile Food Pantry in partnership with Food Bank New York City, where we provided produce, meat, canned goods, personal care items and cleaning supplies for the South Bronx community.

As critical Fortune programs continue to expand, volunteers provide much-needed support to the community. We encourage you to review our available volunteer opportunities on our website. Complete our online application or contact our Director of Volunteer Services, Ashley Otto, with any questions at aotto@fortunesociety.org.  

3. Creative Arts Collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art  

The Creative Arts community collaborated with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Samora Pinderhughes, musician and creator of the Healing Project, for a concert at our Long Island City service center. This powerful performance inspired healing through music and shared experiences. Furthering this partnership, the Creative Arts community collaborated with the Healing Project to record a mixtape, featuring a small cohort of participants from Fortune who recorded demos of their original work at a recording studio in Brooklyn, culminating in an exhibition at MoMA in early 2026. 

We can’t wait to bring our community together throughout 2026 for community events like this, and we encourage you to join us! 

4. Introducing Atlas HOPE to the South Bronx Community 

Last year, United Way of New York City awarded The Fortune Society a grant to implement a new program model, Atlas HOPE – Healing, Opportunity, Progress, Empowerment – designed to strengthen community violence intervention and prevention in NYC. With this support, we introduced Atlas HOPE earlier this year, serving men aged 25-40 living in the South Bronx and focusing on individuals most likely to engage in community violence.

Read more about community programs and participant stories on Fortune’s blog.  

5. Launched Reentry Reality Check Season One 

This fall, we launched a new podcast, Reentry Reality Check, hosted by Founder David Rothenberg. At The Fortune Society, we’re committed to amplifying the voices and experiences of people impacted by the criminal legal system and discussing the urgent need for community-based alternatives. Reentry Reality Check explores the personal experiences of people affected by the criminal legal system and the challenges they faced during reentry, while envisioning innovative solutions for the future.  

Listen to the full first season and be on the lookout for season two! 

As we reflect on a year of progress, we’re reminded that our work is only possible because of the energy, dedication, and partnership of people like you. Together, we can continue breaking down barriers and building brighter futures for all members of our community.  Thank you for being a vital part of the Fortune Society family.