Sussex County woman creates program to provide jobs to former inmates
BRIDGEVILL, Del. – “If I can do it, anybody can do it,” said former inmate James Brown.
For nearly 30 years, all Brown knew was life inside prison walls. In 2017 he became a free man, but being free had new challenges.
“For me, the challenge was substantial. If I slip up I’m finished, I could go back to jail ,” said Brown.
Looking for work was a challenge. As someone with a criminal background, the chances of getting hired for a job, looked grim. But then he met his soon to be future wife who was working on creating a program to provide ex-convicts and parolees with stable jobs.
“We needed to be able to say yes to people and so that’s kind of how this was kind of born,” said Elevated Community Development Corporation founder Lillian Harrison Brown.
Fast forward a year later, and the Elevated Community Development Corporation was up a running. Lillian, hiring former inmates to renovate and rebuild homes. With a minimum starting wage of $11 an hour. Keeping the men in line and off the streets.
“A lot of them end up back in. Because there’s no opportunities for them. Here they do have the opportunity,” said ECDEC instructor Truvor Beale.
Lillian tells 47 she was inspired to create this new program after her own son went to prison in 2017, who said he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to get back on his feet after getting released.
“I promised him that that would never be his story. And since I made that promise, I was determined to keep it,” she said.
Lillian adds that this program is only the beginning, and hopes to create job opportunities statewide for former inmates. While keeping this promise to her son:
“I told him when you come out, you will not only have more opportunities than you can think of, you will also be able to give other people opportunities.”
Lillian also tell 47 that she’s currently in the process of writing grants to continue to get funding for her program.
But she’s still looking for monetary donations in the meantime. If you’re interested in contributing to this program you can send an email to elevatedcdc@gmail.com She adds that over the next couple of months she’s looking to expand her program over to New Castle County, and then to Kent County. If you’re interested in being a part of this program or if you know someone who would you can contact Lillian Brown at 302-864-4081.
