Phone(s)

(209) 955-0701 - ext.

Website

www.friendsoutside.org

Eligibility

Anyone of any age who has had contact with the adult justice system, whether or not they have been adjudicated, and their family members.  Service locations include local and statewide prisons (locally California Health Care Facility), San Joaquin County Jail, and all other state prisons in California.

Fees

Services

Friends Outside has provided support for individuals and families during transition in order to reduce risk and improve wellbeing, including parenting education, employment preparation and search, planning and prioritizing, mentoring, and supporting hope for those who are struggling.

Services include:

Case Management and Mentoring

Center staff, after assessment, work to help make the reentry process easier where possible with an individualized plan for success.  Assigned Center professionals can help those engaged in case management with the basics of reestablishing oneself.  Case management plans can address:

• Employment
• Housing and rental assistance
• Basic needs
• Parole/ probation compliance
• Family unity issues
• Sobriety support
• Health and mental health care access
• Anger Management
• Access to other programs through referral
• Warrant reduction efforts
• And other concerns identified by clients

Employment Readiness

Friends Outside provides employment readiness services that focus on job readiness and building employment skills. This is a free program that is available to any person in the community who has been incarcerated at any point in their life.

The program deals with typical employment seeking issues and offers a supportive avenue for individuals with a criminal record. Services include information on or assistance with:

• Resume building
• Job search assistance
• Mock interviewing
• Help explaining your record
• Communicating your needs in the workplace
• Assistance completing applications
• Referrals to specialized employment training programs
• Skill building workshops

Group Education and Support

Friends Outside offers education and support groups to those engaged in case management and in most cases to anyone in need.  In groups of 3-20, in person or online, groups are facilitated by a trained professional.  Groups may be open continuously or open in calendar cycles.  Topics include:

• Anger Management
• Conflict management
• Parenting
• Sobriety support
• Managing a dual diagnosis
• Financial literacy
• Support while a loved one is incarcerated

Support for Children and Families

Friends Outside realizes that incarcerated individuals need connection on both sides of the prison walls.  The health and wellbeing of both the incarcerated and the family is positively affected when there is connection.   Reentering society requires the support of the community to be successful as well.

Support for children and families programing aims to address the unique issues that arise when a loved one is incarcerated and those experienced when the same person comes home.  This support may include:

• Education about the justice system and how to stay connected
• Information and referral
• Topic specific support groups
• Inclusion in the case management plans of their loved one.

Hours

Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Filed Under

Adolescents , Advocacy , Emergency Food/Clothes , Emergency Clothes , Re-Entry & Transition , Social Service , Transportation , Youth Program , Violence Prevention