How URC’s Casablanca Gala Aims To End Homelessness For Returning Citizens
URC’s Casablanca Gala to Raise Funds for E.Z. Way & Project Good Homes For Returning Citizens
As formerly incarcerated individuals strive to rebuild their lives after paying their dues to society, they face significant challenges in finding stable housing. This leads to a vicious cycle of homelessness.
United Returning Citizens (URC) is a holistic movement that prepares individuals for successful reentry after incarceration. They provide education, job training, expungement, family support, and more.
One of their main goals is to break chains of recidivism. The upcoming Casablanca Gala will raise funds for their forward-thinking home projects, E.Z Way and Project Good Homes.
Revolutionary Housing Initiatives
E.Z Way is a home rehabilitation project that promises safe and secure housing for returning citizens. The first phase of this project includes purchasing and rehabbing at most minuscule ten abandoned properties in Youngstown, Ohio. Families impacted by incarceration are then placed in their newly renovated homes.
URC also established Project Good Homes, which provides financial assistance, education, and ongoing mentorship and support. This program helps returning citizens overcome the barriers that prevent the dream of homeownership. Some obstacles include not obtaining a home loan, being locked out of the housing market, and needing financial support or a down payment.
Project Good Homes utilizes the popular detached, single-family units as “tiny homes.” The benefits of these structures include their affordability, low cost of utilities, and size. More people can be housed on less land, and they leave a lower carbon footprint.
Unraveling the Homelessness Crisis
It is reported that over 500,000 U.S. citizens are homeless, and according to a study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 25% of those experiencing Homelessness have a history of incarceration. As people struggle to establish a stable foundation for reintegration, a significant percentage face imminent Homelessness due to limited support systems and housing options.
In addition, The U.S. Department of Justice reports that two-thirds of released citizens are rearrested within three years, signifying the urgent need for comprehensive reentry programs and initiatives like the URC. Addressing the crisis of Homelessness is paramount in reducing recidivism rates, promoting public safety, and empowering individuals to become productive members of society.
Unlocking the Keys to Successful Reintegration
The Casablanca Gala is an extravagant event that allows community members to support reentry housing. The URC partnered with Penguin City Brewery to host a ticket release party ahead of the occasion.
This upper-echelon evening epitomizes unity, compassion, and philanthropy, bringing together the community to support an indispensable cause.
The URC’s visionary endeavor is far more than bricks and mortar; it is the realization of hope and healing, breaking the shackles of Homelessness and fostering holistic rehabilitation. The Gala will be pivotal in reducing recidivism rates and providing returning citizens with stability, support and actionable items to rebuild their lives.
United Returning Citizens is working to raise funds and needs our community’s support. Join our efforts by securing your space at this year’s Casablanca Gala and embark on a transformative journey towards a brighter and more just society for all.