“Just-Us” aims to help the formerly incarcerated

Helping prisoners who have done their time make a smooth transition back into society has been a nearly a lifetime in the making for Phyllis Hardy.

Growing up with incarcerated family members and working with some of the jailed population as part of her job with Goodwill’s Career Development program, Hardy has seen the struggles of ex-convicts first hand as they try to become one with the community once again.

“The reason there’s so much recidivism is because there’s no opportunities available to them once they come back into society, and society just has an un-tasteful look on the incarcerated population.” Says Hardy, who stressed the lack of acceptance of ex-convicts in society.

According to the International Centre for Prison Studies, the United States represents less than 5% of the World Population but houses more than 20% of the world’s prisoners.

Hardy wants to stop the cycle of repeat offenses.

She and her church, the Union United Methodist Church in Delmar, began “Just -Us for Social Justice” a non-profit to help recently released inmates.

“They have so much potential.” Said Hardy, and, “what we want to do is be able to set up some mentoring support systems for them, find out what their specific need is, and then be that advocacy out in the community.”

Often times that need is a job, and other times, it’s a home.

Hardy added “It’s extremely difficult, not impossible but difficult because of the federal legislation that is in place.”

In many cases a felony conviction can disqualify someone from public housing leaving few options.

“Just-Us for Social Justice” does not provide its own housing, but it strives to help former prisoners find an affordable place to live and help them find jobs.

For now headquarters is the church, but they’re looking for their own space as well as volunteers.

If you would like to help or donate to “Just-Us”, you can contact them at justusforsocialjustice.com