Investment by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Will Create First-of-it’s-Kind New York Reentry Stipend Support Program to Support Returning New Yorkers Achieve Stable Employment and Housing
Contact:
Claire Gross, Sr. Manager of Public Relations
cgross@ceoworks.org | (646) 370-8292
New York, NY–April 21, 2026– The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the largest reentry organization in the country, is thrilled to announce a $1 million grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The award creates the inaugural New York Reentry Stipend Support Program, an evidence-informed initiative designed to provide immediate, flexible financial support to 400 justice-impacted individuals across Buffalo, Rochester, and the five boroughs of New York City. This is the first time public funds have been used to provide this kind of direct financial support to people returning from incarceration in New York State.
Exemplifying true upstate and downstate collaboration, CEO will connect returning New Yorkers to life-saving stipends–averaging $2,000 and up to $3,000–through a network of trusted reentry and housing service providers: Reentry Association of Western NY, Delphi Rise, Mason Tenders District Council of Greater NY & Long Island, Pathways to Apprenticeship (P2A), and STRIVE. This group of providers constructs a holistic reentry support system that addresses behavioral health, employment, and housing alongside flexible, financial assistance.
“Successful reentry starts with stability. Too often, people returning from incarceration are forced to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, or getting to a job interview,” said New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado. “This investment will help support immediate needs while connecting people to the housing, workforce, and support services they need to build long-term success, reduce recidivism, and strengthen public safety.”
“Cash assistance for people coming back to our communities should be a cornerstone of reentry. This grant, which will allow us to provide $2,000 in direct stipends to individual people returning from incarceration in New York State, is the exact kind of responsive investment necessary to support returning New Yorkers in their careers to eventually become self-sufficient,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Office of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “When our government funds collaboration between organizations with decades of experience, our services can only multiply our impact. Leveraging CEO’s technical expertise and infrastructure to build capacity among a whole eco-system of reentry service providers can only strengthen the field and enhance delivery of quality support to even more people eager for a fresh start.”
The first days and months after leaving incarceration are the most challenging and the most critical for rebuilding a life. In New York, the 9,000 people released each year from prison return to their communities with $200 or less in “gate money” and often without stable housing, savings, or employment. At any given time, 40% of formerly incarcerated New Yorkers experience joblessness. Without the means to cover basic needs like food, transportation, childcare, and job search expenses, many fall back into cycles of poverty and recidivism.
Stipends stabilize essential needs and reduce the impossible choices justice-impacted people often face in this period just to survive. When paired with wrap around support, stipends also enable and incentivize participants to consistently engage with reentry services such as comprehensive job coaching and training.
CEO designed a successful roadmap to address the immediate needs of reentry while ensuring participants are connected to essential services. In 2020, CEO launched the Returning Citizens Stimulus (RCS), the largest-ever cash transfer program created specifically for justice-impacted individuals. Through RCS, CEO disbursed over $24 million to 10,000 individuals through 32 partner organizations in 28 cities. In New York alone, more than 1,600 people received $1.4 million in stipend payments as part of RCS. Each person received a total of $2,750 in 3 installments over 60 days.
Key Results from an independent evaluation of RCS found that:
In addition to being a stabilizing force after incarceration, flexible cash assistance unlocks life-sustaining career opportunities. Advanced training courses lead to careers in construction, IT, union trades, commercial truck drivers, and other kinds of skilled work filling major labor gaps. But, people living paycheck to paycheck can’t afford to lose weeks, months, and in some cases years, of work that a training course requires. Stipends stabilize immediate needs, while training and workforce partners provide clear pathways to high-earning employment.
RCS also inspired the creation of the New York State Reentry Cash Coalition, a group of advocacy organizations and service providers. Led by CEO, the coalition is working to advance the Reentry Assistance Bill (S6222/A6990): legislation that would provide each person leaving prison in New York $425 a month for up to six months.
“RAWNY is excited to collaborate with CEO on this initiative to expand opportunities for individuals returning from incarceration,” said Yari Rivera, Executive Director of Reentry Association of Western New York. “Partnerships like this strengthen communities by connecting people to stability, employment, and support. We are proud to work alongside CEO to advance meaningful reentry solutions.”’
“This kind of investment is exactly what’s needed to ensure that workers returning home are not forced into desperation and pushed toward dangerous, exploitative jobs just to survive,” said Dave Bolger, Business Manager of the Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York & Long Island. “The construction industry offers a real pathway to a stable, family-sustaining career for justice-impacted individuals, but without the right support, too many fall prey to predatory employers who take advantage of their vulnerability. By providing direct financial assistance, this program gives workers the breathing room they need to pursue training, access good union jobs, and build a future with dignity. This is how we protect workers, strengthen our workforce, and uplift our communities.”
“Successful reentry requires both stability and opportunity” said Jennifer Cathy, Chief Executive Officer of Delphi Rise. We are proud to be a long-standing partner of CEO, working together to help individuals returning home rebuild their lives and strengthen Rochester.”
“Pathways to Apprenticeship is proud to continue our partnership with CEO,” said Gyasi Headen, Executive Director of P2A. “The awarding of this grant reflects DCJS’ commitment to supporting individuals impacted by the criminal legal system—an effort that aligns closely with the core missions of both CEO and P2A. We look forward to the positive outcomes this important investment will create for our mutual participants."
“Individuals returning home from incarceration often are expected to rebuild their lives overnight — frequently without the basic financial resources needed to meet immediate needs.” said Ayesha George, Executive Director of STRIVE. “At STRIVE, we see every day how immediate financial stability can make the difference between crisis and momentum as individuals work to reconnect to employment and opportunity. STRIVE is proud to partner with CEO to help launch the inaugural New York Reentry Stipend Support Program, by providing frontline assistance to enroll eligible reentering individuals to receive crucial cash stipends. Providing direct support during this critical window is a practical and humane investment in public safety, workforce participation, and the long-term stability of our communities.”
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About the Center for Employment Opportunities
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in 30 cities in 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring justice-impacted people have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.