Just The Beginning Inc.

PROJECT PURPOSE

Just The Beginning?s objective is to continue to be an effective resource for the justice system impacted community, which includes the vision of providing transitional living that hosts an atmosphere of belonging, self-sufficiency, love, and acceptance. We have an excellent reputation of integrity in our community and work diligently to provide a quality program model that equates to success for justice-involved women. The need for transitional living and our program services has truly come to the forefront amidst COVID-19 and the pandemic. Justice impacted individuals and families were already susceptible to financial strain equal to poverty, financial strain, and barriers to employment. The pandemic served to heighten many of these areas along with mental, emotional health, and resiliency. Our goal is to provide support to aid self-sufficiency among the justice-impacted women and families we serve.

EVIDENCE

According to studies from the Brennan Center for Justice, the pandemic added more challenges for people with a criminal record, especially for those released from prison in 2020 and 2021. According to research, 15% of women are homeless when entering custody. These women also have an offending history. Access to safe, reliable housing is commonly identified as a top priority for justice-involved females. A lack of housing can jeopardize sobriety, physical health, and the well-being of these women. In addition, we know that there is correlation with family reunification potentially taking longer when the women do not have stable housing.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Just The Beginning, Inc. serves justice-system impacted women ages 16 and older. JTB is a diversion and re-entry program that serves women with a 24-month Empowerment program and with hopes to receive funding for a transitional living facility to house justice-system impacted women in need of housing and self-sufficiency.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

JTB will provide transitional living and interim support and services for women at risk of institutional placement, women transitioning from institutional settings, homelessness, or coming out of detox or other treatment facilities. The collects program data from our intake process which collects demographic information and plan of action goals to our weekly programming activities, all of which we collect and measure data for impact, progression, and improvement. We utilize pre and post-assessment, intake and exit surveys, focus groups, and intake forms to collect data.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma