Princess Anne non-profit honored for helping former inmates

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- A Somerset non-profit was honored Wednesday for lending a helping hand to former inmates.

April Alexander, founder and CEO of Positive Reinforcements, was presented with the 2021 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. Alexander created the non-profit to reduce recidivism by offering resources and mentorship to former inmates. She said while she’s faced challenges running Positive Reinforcements during the pandemic, it’s an amazing feeling to be recognized for her hard work and the growth of the non-profit.

“It feels really good because we just started, we’ve only been here for two years,” Alexander said. “It feels rewarding to help; at the end of the day that’s what I’m here for that’s what I want to do, that’s what gets me up in the morning is to know that I can help somebody.”

Alexander was gifted $5,000 by the Richard A. Henson Foundation.

Alexander said throughout the years she’s made a lot of connections and have gotten grants. She said she’s ready to roll out a GED program and a employment readiness program. She said in the future she hopes for a larger building, transitional housing, a juvenile program, and a domestic violence program.