Maria, NYC
“People think that reentry isn’t that hard, like you just go back to your community and get a job,” Maria said. “But it’s not that easy. I couldn’t get a job and I had no control over my future. But the cash assistance gave me some control of my life back, and I’m thankful for that.”
When Maria left Rikers Island seven years ago, she had nothing but the examples her grandma has shown her growing up in gentrifying Brooklyn: be determined, put your family first, survive anything.
Maria had tried everything she could to get a job once she was home again, but no one would hire her because of the felony conviction.
“I was desperate for a job. If it wasn’t for my grandma I would’ve been on the streets with my kids,” said Maria. “She barely had money for food, so forget about things like new clothes or riding the bus. I just had no help.”
In order to take care of herself and her children, Maria needed money for basic necessities, but the stigma of being formerly-incarcerated prevented her from finding employment to earn that money. That’s when she reached out to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), and started on a transitional work crew immediately.
Shortly after joining CEO, and while still living day to day with some food insecurity, Maria received a cash assistance payment of $1,500 from the Returning Citizen Stimulus (RCS) program.
“There were no strings attached when I received the cash assistance, and without that I would have been dependent on state welfare,” Maria said. “I was so excited to have some financial independence.”
Maria used the money to buy clothes for her kids, groceries for the household, bus passes, and to pay bills like her cell phone and electric. About a month later, Maria received a second payment of $1,000 as part of the RCS that she used for mostly food.
“People think that reentry isn’t that hard, like you just go back to your community and get a job,” Maria said. “But it’s not that easy. I couldn’t get a job and I had no control over my future. But the cash assistance gave me some control of my life back, and I’m thankful for that.”
“If you don’t have to worry about where to get shoes and how to eat dinner when you walk out of prison, your chances to succeed will be greater,” said Maria.
