A new center for those attempting to reintegrate into society following a stint in prison officially opened Wednesday in North Philadelphia.

Assata Thomas, executive director of the city’s Office of Reentry Partnerships, said she envisions the facility, dubbed the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), as a “one-stop shop” for residents making the difficult transition.

The initiative is a partnership between Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and Uplift Solutions, a nonprofit that provides programming for people returning from jail, also known as returning citizens.

Uplift participants spend their first two weeks taking life skills classes. They can then enroll in workforce training programs to obtain a commercial driver’s license or get certified in HVAC repair. Digital literacy sessions are also offered.

Read the full article – metrophiladelphia.com