Trenton, N.J. -- The Father Center of New Jersey (TFCNJ) and the City of Trenton's Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) are pleased to announce a new partnership whose mission is to provide financial literacy education to citizens returning from incarceration.

This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 22, 2024, will create opportunities for returning citizens to gain the skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term success.

"The City of Trenton is committed to improving the quality of life for returning citizens, and this partnership moves that forward in a tangible way by providing training and employment opportunities," says Trenton Mayor Reed W. Reed Gusciora.

"Our goals are perfectly aligned with those of The Father Center of New Jersey," adds Janet Porter, MSW, Social Work Supervisor, City of Trenton. Together, The Father Center of New Jersey and the City of Trenton ORC will deliver a total of 12 financial literacy seminars before the end of the year.

The intended audience will be individuals returning from incarceration within one to three years, as well as other residents with justice-involved backgrounds. The seminars, which will run until December 31, 2024, are designed to address the unique financial challenges faced by this population and provide them with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions.

The Father Center will organize and lead the seminars, recruit eligible participants and accept eligible referrals from the ORC. "We will also link eligible participants to the ORC's broader reentry services through a collaborative intake process," says Bryan Evans, CEO, The Father Center of New Jersey. "We offer valuable training and resources to returning citizens, but we also need to ensure that our curriculum is accessible. This partnership brings it all together."

The Office of Returning Citizens will circulate flyers provided by The Father Center of New Jersey in the community.

"This partnership represents a significant step toward empowering individuals with the financial knowledge they need to rebuild their lives and build stronger families and communities," adds Evans.

For more information, contact Marc Warren, [email protected].

About The Father Center of New Jersey

The Father Center of New Jersey is an innovative community organization, headquartered in Trenton, with locations in Burlington, Camden and Westampton, NJ, that offers fathers the emotional, social and economic resources they need to improve their lives and those of their children. From stress management training and anger management programs to adult computer classes, The Father Center supports men in gaining life skills to be there for their families. When fathers are empowered to be good partners, the entire community benefits. www.thefathercenter.org

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