The Playing Field

My name is Jeffrey DeHaven, I am the Founder of Empowerus, the marketing arm for nonprofit United Family Association (UFA) www.myufa.org. I was presenting the CDRC about the foundation that basic benefits would create for the soon-to-be-released inmates. I also shared with the case worker a series of studies done by USC illustrating https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/news/ensuring-financial-stability-for-ex-convicts-reduces-rates-of-recidivism that if an inmate walked out of prison today with something as simple as a bank account, the recidivism rate could be reduced by as much as 30%. To put that in context, if that were to be applied in California the savings to the state budget, not including the two billion dollar related savings it would create in crime, homelessness, law enforcement and blithe. It would also directly save the CDCR around a billion dollars annually by reducing the number of prisoners returning and the costs of "re-housing" them. What if we enhanced that support by giving them a bank account and a host of life-changing benefits as a foundation to build on? Creating a never-before-seen safety net that would reduce the likelihood of recurrence 10-fold. During our conversation, a caseworker at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) told me a story about a woman named Jane who left prison. This is the story about Jane, but with two very different outcomes.

Every day in every city

A woman in her mid-30s named Jane was about to be released from a CDCR facility. Jane had served an eight-year sentence for DUI manslaughter. When a prisoner is released from the CDRC, the State gives them a stipend (around $200) called "gate money" plus any leftover commissary money earned while working in prison. The inmate rumor was that there was a Ma 7 Pa type liquor store a few miles from the facility that would cash the gate money checks without an ID. Most of the inmates’ IDs expired while they were incarcerated, but this particular store knows the checks are good.

While in prison, Jane worked as a teacher, helping other inmates earn their GEDs. This job paid her .40 per hour. Over the last 4 years, she has saved almost $1,800. Jane, excited about her release in a few weeks, had those savings sent to her daughter, who purchased her a new smartphone, a used Mac computer, and some clothes and basic cosmetics. Her daughter had them sent to the halfway house so they would be there when Jane arrived.

Jane, having served out her term, had 48 hours to report to her halfway house. She had gotten her degree in prison and a job waiting for her at Home Depot. A fresh start to a rather tough life. Jane walked out of prison with her $200.00 "gate money" check; instead of the bus, she decided to walk the 2.5 miles to the recommended liquor store. She loved being in the fresh air, the thought of starting a job, and hopefully moving in with her daughter someday. The sun was shining, and her future looked bright.

Jane finally arrived at the liquor store, because she had no ID, they charged her 25% to cash her check. The cashier handed her $150.00 in cash. Just as she started to walk out the door, she noticed on the counter next to the cash register that the store sold $1.00 mini bottles of gin. The urge was too much, so she bought five of the tiny bottles and headed back out front of the store on this beautiful day. Jane just kept telling herself that just this one time, I deserve a buzz, I don’t need to see my "housemother" (at the halfway house) for two days, it will be out of my system by then.

She noticed three guys smoking and drinking on the side of the liquor store building. She walked over and started drinking her little bottles of gin. About done with her 3rd bottle, the warm buzz of the alcohol filled her low-tolerance system. She was drunk. Laughing and stumbling around, she noticed one of the men pulled out a meth pipe and fired it up. She hit the pipe without a second thought. The rush of the drugs and the gin created an enormous rush, sending her to fall back against the wall. The men, noticing her vulnerability, started sexually molesting her. One of the men came across her $145.00 left over from the store and stuffed it in his pocket. She became aggressive to retrieve it when one of the men broke an empty bottle of whiskey across her face. The gash was half an inch thick and 5 inches long. There was blood everywhere, and the men took off in different directions. Jane lay bleeding, half unconscious.

Several patrons who were walking out helped her with towels while someone called an ambulance. The EMTs arrived and transported her to the hospital. Her blood test came back positive for alcohol and methamphetamine. After 8 hours in surgery, she was returned to serve out her remaining 10-year term. Never making it to her halfway house, her job, or to see the daughter who had such high hopes for her. Her package, lying on the bed at the halfway house, was returned to her daughter.

This happens in every city across America. The current release system is not set up to rehabilitate; it's understaffed, under budget, and forced to rely on antiquated solutions. These methods aren't aligned with the economic times these states face. Sure, there are programs and counseling pushed, but the true need is a foundation on which to stand and to build.

THE UFA SOLUTION FOR PROGRESS

I thanked the case worker for the story. I asked her to indulge me and plug in a scenario using the UFA platform I had pitched earlier that day. Now let's assume she had the United Family Association package an ID and her $200.00, with a direct deposit, onto her UFA "new start" debit card the day she left.

The Power of the United Family Association platform

Just as she did in the story above, Jane would have met with her counselor before release. While in prison, Jane worked as a teacher, helping other inmates earn their GEDs. This paid her .40 and hour. Over the last 3 years, she has saved almost $1,800. Jane had that money sent to her daughter, who purchased her a new smartphone and a used Mac computer for her mother, as well as some clothes and basic cosmetics. Her daughter had them sent to the halfway house so they would be there when she arrived.

During this "reentry" meeting, the counselor would have gone over the bundle of UFA benefits, ID, and the "New Start" debit card in detail, which Jane would use to start her new life. She explains that the UFA program would cover her if her phone, tablet, or computer is lost, damaged, or stolen. She reinforces with "someday, when you're renting an apartment or home, remember to tell the landlord that you have $100,000 of liability insurance that will protect them against any damage or repair needed from your stay. "

Jane's counselor was proud of her; she had made a horrible mistake, but as Mark Twain said, "the only way out is through." Jane's counselor took the time to explain each of the other benefits. This exchange, to understand how the UFA program works and how to access it, is invaluable to the program's success as well as to Jane. The counselor then hands Jane a UFA "New Start" debit card and a new state ID card, with her "gate money" {$200.00} directly deposited on the debit card. The counselor has Jane activate it right in her office, choose her PIN, and sign the back. It's placed in her release folder, ready for her exit in two days.

The counselor explains that she is to use this card for all her purchases and for any ancillary income earned, which should also be deposited directly. The counselor will then send her banking information to HR at Home Depot, so they too can direct deposit her future paychecks (at no cost and no monthly fee)

The fresh start governor

The UFA "new start" debit card, the counselor explains, is specifically coded so you cannot purchase hard alcohol or get cash back; in addition, there is no cash-ATM access. She says, "Jane, this card will do its best to protect you, but you have to take your steps." The debit card, she explains, has a full bill pay system built in. You can pay for your rent and any other bills you have directly from your UFA banking app. She further explains, "Jane, there are valuable financial education tools here; use them just like you do with other positive tools in your life." You will be on your way back, building credit with every payment. It also has a savings account for you to put away a small amount of money. The card even has remittance if you need to wire money to Mexico. The counselor reiterates, "This UFA program with its debit card, these benefits, and this ID will get you started on your road back to financial freedom". Jane isn't just leaving prison with $200.00 and a pat on the back; she is leaving with a solid foundation to start building her new life.

Jane walks out the prison door. Her card is already loaded with $200.00 she boards the bus to the halfway house, about a (3-hour drive). They stop at a 7-11, where there is a bus stop next door; the driver announces a 30-minute break to grab something to eat before they finish the trip.

Jane walks into the 7-11 store as an empowered woman; she's done her time, she has her battle plan, and the tools to succeed. Her daughter anxiously waiting for her is so proud of her mother for the gains she has made while incarcerated. Her degree, her commitment to sobriety, and her faith in God. A life in shambles is now a productive life ready to give back to society.

Empowered by Faith

Jane wanders around the store and grabs a few items to hold her over. She walks up to the counter, pulls out her card, and makes her snack purchase. She hasn't bought anything in seven years; she smiles, feeling like someone again. On the counter as they are bagging up her snacks, there they are, "little bottles of booze". She thinks about how substances destroyed her life and took the life of another. She remembers her counselor&pos;s words, knowing that the debit card is coded and cannot be used for those purchases. She understands why it's there and embraces the value. Even though she knows it's prohibited, she is now feeling like part of the solution, not the problem. An incredible feeling of strength comes over her; she smiles and walks out of the 7-11, feeling empowered.

The Solution

Jane glows as she looks out the bus window. She knows there is a lot of work in front of her. She recognizes that earning trust will be harder this time around, that doubt will be around every corner, even if they tell her otherwise. She has the tools in her life to succeed, and from that she will flourish.

Before she was incarcerated, Jane was a talented songwriter. She had a gift for turning any situation into a song. Alcohol and drug abuse robbed her of that future opportunity. She loved having a stable job at Home Depot, but what about her passion? Where, how could she start? She remembers the CuraLinc program that is in her UFA package. She wonders if they can give her some ideas? She opens her pad, where her notes are scribbled, and makes a list.

1. Get settled at the halfway house.
2. Work hard at work, be responsible, on time, and stay clean.
3. Save money for a car.
4. Take walks and get exercise.
5. Call CuraLinc for some ideas on how I can restart in the songwriting business.
6. Pray every day that I feel just like I feel this moment.

The United Family Association Future

Jane arrived at her halfway house and opened the box of personal items her daughter had bought for her. This is the first time in 8 years that Jane has owned anything of value.

Jane loved her new job; talking and helping people was what she loved to do. Somehow, with each bit of assistance she gave, she grew stronger. She spent the next six months working at Home Depot, working out, and joined a local church where she, for the first time in many years, had real friends.

She finally saved enough to buy a used car. Each one of these purchases marked a milestone in her path to her new life. The car had some mechanical issues, so she had to use roadside assistance to have it towed to the shop. Utilizing her new tools, she was able to have it towed and fixed without a financial disaster. Her stay at the halfway house was now up; she had been a model example of a person on the right path. It was time she moved in with her daughter and grandchild. Her daughter is renting and needs the roommate income, as well as to have her mother close by. The landlord has Jane fill out a separate rental agreement and has done a credit check. Her background gave the landlord pause, and he was reluctant to let Jane become part of the rental agreement because her past was just another hurdle she would have to face. She relied once again on the foundation she stood on, the UFA foundation.

Jane submitted the UFA landlord liability policy, which covers the landlord for up to $100,000 in damages. The landlord had never had this level of coverage before and agreed to let Jane onto the lease. Over the past year, she has had the flu a few times, but using the Recuro Telemedicine program has allowed her to miss any work. She has even had her phone damaged at work; she received a new one the same day through the UFA mobile device protection. Without is she would be on the hook for another $1,500 for a new one. Looking back over the past two years, she reflects on what the overall UFA package has done for her life. The savings have been substantial, but the support and empowerment it has given her is priceless.

Dreams do come true

Jane has been writing songs in her spare time. It keeps her busy but also focused on her goals. Each time she finishes a song, she submits it to a performer. She knows most of the time they probably won't even see it, but for her, that's not the point. She's doing her best with the tools she has and can only control what she has the power over. Her phone rings...Jane finally gets the break she's been dreaming of and gets a call back from a performer who likes a song she submitted.

Years later....

Jane is standing on stage, six years after leaving prison, her daughter and granddaughter sitting in the front row, holding a Grammy for Best Songwriter of the Year. Crowd cheering, she looks up at the sky, smiles, and points her finger, tears running down her face, giving all the glory to God.

The UFA Program www.myufa.org is the power of one that becomes the empowerment of many.