THE WARMLINE
The Warmline, staffed by trained individuals who have returned from incarceration, will offer callers a sympathetic listener who is skilled at talking through issues, needs, and emergencies. It will be available in the evening hours when most other reentry agencies are closed and will thus be able to respond to urgent needs and provide appropriate services to de-escalate potentially volatile situations. Next Level aims to promote the Warmline within prisons to offer support to participants before they come home.
Warmline hours of operations: Saturday & Sunday 24 hours, Monday-Friday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
*Eligibility criteria of participants: Currently incarcerated persons returning home within 9 months, returning citizens that have returned home within 36 months, resident of the same household as the returning citizen current household relationship (i.e., mother, father, spouse, partner, child, sibling.)
NLEP Warmline: (888) 260-1484
MENS REENTRY SUPPORT GROUP
The mens support group will meet weekly and be coordinated by Founder/President Ray Boyd. This will create a community in which returning citizens can come together to work through challenges. A 2019 analysis from the Harvard Institute of Politics found that support groups are an excellent way to connect reentering citizens to valuable resources. Next Level’s support group will combine the efficiency of formal connections to services with the trust built up through less formal relationships and friendships. In the long term, Next Level hopes to partner with DOC to hold support group sessions inside prisons, connecting with participants before they return to the community.
NLEP COMMUNITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM
The NLEP Community Transitional Housing Program provides housing support and services to returning citizens by providing temporary housing in a safe & healthy environment. The intake process of the house will be managed by Jacqueline James, Executive Director. The Operations of the house will be managed by Carl Alexander, Director of Operations & Ray Boyd, Program Director will oversee the day-to-day management, case managers. Residents will receive 24-hour support by NLEP case managers.
The NLEP Transitional House will open in the Spring of 2024. The goal of NLEP transitional housing is to provide a safe, healthy, and stable environment for returning citizens as they work to successfully reintegrate back into their community. The program will also afford returning citizens the opportunity to engage in an essential hands-on life skills program needed to support adulthood, employment, and self- sufficiency.
NLEP staff will provide 24-hour case management, supportive services along with community-based life skills education and Job Readiness Training.
All referrals will be made via the NLEP Warm Line. Upon entering the home each resident will be required to sign a 6-month lease agreement. The lease agreement will specify rules and weekly fees. Upon completion of the 6 months NLEP will return a portion of the rent fees to the resident. The fees returned can only be utilized as down payment assistance towards housing, furniture, utility bills or vehicle.
