Restoring Hope. Rebuilding Families. Creating Second Chances.

michigan.law.umich.edu

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation

Restoring Hope. Rebuilding Families. Creating Second Chances.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to rebuild their life, reconnect with loved ones, and create a brighter future.

At C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation, we believe that every individual deserves dignity, respect, compassion, and a meaningful opportunity for a fresh start.

Returning home from prison can be one of the most challenging transitions in a person's life. Men and women reentering their communities often face overwhelming barriers, including housing discrimination, unemployment, limited financial resources, transportation challenges, difficulty obtaining identification documents, emotional trauma, and the struggle to reconnect with children and family members.

For many returning citizens, finding safe and affordable housing is especially difficult because some landlords and housing providers impose restrictions based on criminal history. Without stable housing, reliable transportation, employment, and a strong support system, rebuilding a productive life becomes even more challenging.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation is committed to helping returning citizens overcome these barriers and successfully reintegrate into their families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Our Returning Citizens Reentry, Housing & Family Reunification Program is designed to provide comprehensive, individualized wraparound services that promote housing stability, employment readiness, financial independence, emotional well-being, and healthy family relationships.

We believe in second chances, restored families, stronger communities, and a future filled with opportunity.

Our program is designed to support:

• Men and women returning home from state or federal correctional facilities
• Individuals recently released from prison or jail
• Returning citizens experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Individuals facing rental denials or housing barriers because of felony convictions
• Parents seeking to reconnect and reunite with their children
• Mothers and fathers working to rebuild healthy family relationships
• Individuals seeking employment, vocational training, or skilled trades opportunities
• Returning citizens needing identification documents and transportation
• Individuals facing mental health, trauma, or substance use recovery challenges
• Returning citizens seeking financial independence and long-term stability

Primary Service Areas: Detroit, Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Genesee County, Lenawee County, and Monroe County, Michigan.

A stable home is the foundation for a successful second chance.

Finding housing after incarceration can be extremely difficult. Many returning citizens encounter application denials, restrictive rental policies, limited affordable housing, and financial barriers.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation seeks to help returning citizens access safe, affordable, and stable housing opportunities without unnecessary barriers.

Housing services and priorities include:

• Transitional housing assistance and supportive housing referrals
• Permanent housing searches and placement assistance
• Identification of landlords willing to consider applicants with felony convictions
• Reentry-friendly housing partnerships
• Housing application and eligibility assistance
• Housing navigation and landlord communication
• Security deposit and move-in assistance, subject to available funding
• Rental assistance and eviction prevention
• Utility assistance referrals
• Assistance obtaining basic household furnishings
• Tenant education and lease compliance
• Housing retention case management
• Support locating housing suitable for parents reconnecting with their children

We work toward expanding partnerships with landlords, property owners, developers, and community housing organizations that recognize the importance of successful reentry.

Our goal is to help returning citizens move beyond temporary survival and establish a stable place to call home.

Returning citizens often face immediate financial challenges before they have secured employment or established reliable income.

Our housing stabilization approach includes connecting eligible participants with available financial assistance programs and resources.

Support may include:

• Emergency rental assistance
• Security deposit assistance
• Initial move-in cost assistance
• Utility assistance referrals
• Emergency housing stabilization planning
• Landlord negotiation and mediation referrals
• Financial needs assessments
• Household budgeting and expense management
• Connections to public assistance and community resources

Financial assistance is dependent upon eligibility, available funding, and program resources.

When families reconnect, communities become stronger.

Incarceration can separate parents from their children, disrupt marriages and relationships, and create emotional and financial hardship for entire families.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation recognizes the importance of rebuilding family relationships and helping returning citizens become actively involved, responsible, and supportive members of their households.

Family reunification services include:

• Family reunification planning and support
• Parenting education and positive parenting skills
• Parent-child relationship rebuilding activities
• Family counseling and therapy referrals
• Conflict resolution and healthy communication education
• Co-parenting education and support
• Assistance navigating child custody and visitation resources
• Referrals for family court and legal aid services
• Connections to childcare and youth support programs
• Family mentoring and emotional wellness resources
• Family stability planning and household budgeting
• Support coordinating safe and appropriate family reunification

We seek to help mothers and fathers reconnect with their children, rebuild trust, strengthen family bonds, and establish healthy, stable home environments.

All reunification support respects court orders, child safety requirements, and the best interests of children.

Rebuilding a life often begins with obtaining the documents needed to access opportunities.

Many returning citizens leave correctional facilities without current identification or the documents necessary to secure housing, employment, education, banking, and public benefits.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation helps participants navigate the process of obtaining or replacing essential identification and personal records.

Document assistance includes:

• Michigan state identification cards
• Driver's license renewal or reinstatement guidance
• Replacement Social Security cards
• Certified birth certificate requests
• Assistance obtaining out-of-state birth records
• Assistance understanding Michigan Secretary of State requirements
• Referrals for resolving driver's license holds or suspensions
• Help identifying documentation required for employment
• Voter registration and eligibility information
• Assistance applying for available government benefits
• Support organizing personal records and important documents
• Referrals for document replacement fees, where assistance is available

We seek to remove administrative barriers that prevent returning citizens from moving forward.

Reliable transportation is essential for employment, family responsibilities, medical appointments, counseling, education, and successful community reintegration.

Many returning citizens face transportation barriers because they do not own a vehicle, cannot afford transportation, or need assistance restoring driving privileges.

Transportation support includes:

• Public transportation passes and assistance, when available
• Transportation planning for employment and training
• Assistance accessing medical and counseling appointments
• Driver's license renewal guidance
• Driver's license reinstatement resource referrals
• Michigan Secretary of State appointment preparation
• Driver education and testing resource referrals
• Transportation assistance for essential appointments
• Referrals for vehicle-related assistance programs
• Support understanding license restoration requirements

Our goal is to help participants become more mobile, independent, and connected to opportunities.

A meaningful job can open the door to lasting independence.

Returning citizens frequently face employment barriers related to criminal history, gaps in work experience, limited credentials, and employer hiring policies.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation is committed to connecting returning citizens with workforce development opportunities, job readiness services, career education, and employers willing to provide second-chance employment opportunities.

Employment and career services include:

• Career assessments and individualized employment plans
• Resume writing and job application assistance
• Interview preparation and professional development
• Second-chance employer connections
• Job placement and employment referrals
• Workforce development and vocational rehabilitation
• Computer literacy and digital skills training
• Financial literacy and workplace readiness
• Entrepreneurship and small business education
• Job retention coaching and career advancement planning
• Referrals to apprenticeships and industry-recognized certification programs

Skilled trades training pathways may include:

• Carpentry and construction
• Electrical trades
• Plumbing
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Welding and metal fabrication
• Automotive repair and maintenance
• Commercial driving and transportation
• Building maintenance and property rehabilitation
• Landscaping and grounds maintenance
• Manufacturing and industrial trades
• Warehouse operations and logistics

Training and employment opportunities depend on available partners, program enrollment, and applicable licensing or eligibility requirements.

Our objective is to help returning citizens secure sustainable employment, earn competitive wages, and build careers that support their families.

Returning home from prison can bring emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, isolation, trauma, stress, and difficulty adjusting to everyday life.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation recognizes that mental health and emotional well-being are essential components of successful reentry.

Through qualified behavioral health professionals and community partners, we seek to connect participants with compassionate, confidential, and trauma-informed support.

Mental health and wellness services include:

• Individual mental health counseling referrals
• Family and relationship counseling referrals
• Trauma-informed support services
• Anger management education and referrals
• Stress management and emotional regulation
• Substance use treatment and recovery referrals
• Peer support and mentoring opportunities
• Grief counseling and adjustment support
• Conflict resolution and healthy relationship education
• Community support groups
• Crisis intervention resource referrals
• Personal wellness and self-care education

Our approach emphasizes healing, emotional resilience, accountability, and personal growth.

No one should have to begin a new chapter without access to life's basic necessities.

Many returning citizens are released with limited personal belongings and insufficient financial resources.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation seeks to provide immediate stabilization assistance through community outreach, donations, and resource partnerships.

Basic needs assistance includes:

• Emergency groceries and food assistance
• Nutritious meals and food distribution programs
• Clothing and seasonal apparel
• Professional clothing for job interviews
• Work boots and employment-related clothing referrals
• Personal hygiene kits and toiletries
• Winter coats, blankets, socks, and cold-weather supplies
• Household essentials and move-in supply referrals
• Food pantry and SNAP enrollment referrals
• Holiday food assistance and community giveaways

Our goal is to help returning citizens maintain their dignity while transitioning toward independence.

Financial education is essential to helping returning citizens establish long-term stability and avoid future housing or economic crises.

Financial empowerment services include:

• Personal budgeting and money management
• Banking and checking account education
• Credit report education and credit rebuilding
• Debt management and financial planning
• Savings and emergency fund development
• Understanding taxes and employment income
• Financial goal setting
• Entrepreneurship and small business education
• Tenant budgeting and household expense planning
• Referrals for financial counseling and benefits navigation

We seek to help participants develop healthy financial habits, improve economic mobility, and build lasting independence.

Returning citizens may face legal and administrative challenges involving identification, housing, employment, child support, supervision requirements, and family court matters.

Through partnerships and referrals, C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation seeks to connect participants with appropriate legal and community resources.

Services include:

• Legal aid referrals
• Expungement and record-clearing eligibility referrals
• Driver's license restoration legal referrals
• Child support and family court resource navigation
• Assistance understanding supervision-related obligations
• Housing rights and tenant advocacy referrals
• Employment rights education referrals
• Public benefits and eligibility navigation
• Community mentorship and positive peer connections
• Referrals to reentry and restorative justice programs

Our goal is to help participants understand available resources, meet lawful obligations, and successfully reintegrate into their communities.

Every participant enters the program with different needs, strengths, responsibilities, and personal goals.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation's approach centers on individualized planning and coordinated support.

Step 1 — Initial Assessment & Immediate Stabilization

Identify urgent needs involving housing, food, clothing, identification, transportation, health, and personal safety.

Step 2 — Housing & Family Reunification Planning

Develop an individualized plan for stable housing, family reconnection, and community reintegration.

Step 3 — Documentation & Benefits Navigation

Help participants navigate identification replacement, benefits applications, and other administrative requirements.

Step 4 — Employment, Training & Financial Empowerment

Connect participants with job readiness resources, workforce training, skilled trades opportunities, and financial education.

Step 5 — Emotional Wellness & Supportive Services

Coordinate mental health, recovery, family support, and community resources as appropriate.

Step 6 — Long-Term Stability & Follow-Up

Support participants in pursuing sustained employment, housing retention, healthy relationships, and personal independence.

At C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation, we believe that successful reentry benefits everyone.

When returning citizens have access to safe housing, meaningful employment, emotional support, and opportunities to reconnect with family, they are better positioned to contribute positively to their communities.

Our program is built on five guiding principles:

Dignity: Every individual deserves to be treated with respect and compassion.

Opportunity: A criminal record should not automatically eliminate every pathway to housing, employment, and personal advancement.

Family: Healthy relationships and supportive family connections are important to long-term stability.

Empowerment: Education, employment, life skills, and financial independence create opportunities for sustainable change.

Community: Successful reintegration strengthens families, neighborhoods, and the broader community.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation welcomes partnerships with individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to reducing reentry barriers.

We invite collaboration from:

• Landlords and housing developers willing to consider returning citizens
• Employers offering second-chance hiring opportunities
• Skilled trades unions, apprenticeship programs, and training providers
• Mental health counselors and behavioral health organizations
• Transportation providers and community agencies
• Legal aid organizations and reentry advocates
• Government agencies and correctional reentry programs
• Community colleges and educational institutions
• Corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors
• Volunteers and community mentors

Together, we can create meaningful pathways toward housing stability, family reunification, employment, and successful reintegration.

A second chance can change one life. A successful reentry can transform an entire family.

Your generosity can help C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation expand resources for men and women returning home from incarceration.

Donations and sponsorships can support housing stabilization, rental assistance, transportation, identification document fees, food, clothing, workforce development, skilled trades training, family reunification resources, and supportive services.

REQUEST REENTRY ASSISTANCE

Connect with C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation to inquire about returning citizen services and available resources.

BECOME A SECOND-CHANCE EMPLOYER

Help returning citizens build meaningful careers and achieve financial independence.

BECOME A HOUSING PARTNER

Help expand safe and affordable housing opportunities for men and women with criminal records.

DONATE TO SUPPORT SECOND CHANCES

Help provide the essential resources needed to rebuild lives and strengthen families.

VOLUNTEER OR BECOME A MENTOR

Share your experience, encouragement, and skills to help returning citizens navigate a new beginning.

Services, direct financial assistance, and program enrollment are subject to availability, funding, eligibility, and community partnerships. Certain services may be delivered through qualified partner organizations or remain in development.

C.H.A.R.M.E.D. Foundation

Empowering Lives. Strengthening Communities.

Serving the underserved with compassion, purpose, and empowerment.

Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance.

Reuniting Families

Supporting mothers, fathers, children, and healthy family relationships.

Skilled Trades & Employment

Creating pathways to meaningful careers and economic independence.

Housing & Rental Assistance

Helping individuals overcome housing barriers and pursue stability.

Identification & Reentry Support

Helping participants navigate essential documents and services. 

Experienced professionals dedicated to your success.

Proven results that speak for themselves.