Friends Outside

 Programs and Services

Friends and Families Center

About

In December 2009, Friends Outside launched the pilot Friends and Families Neighborhood Center (FFNC) in Stockton, California to assist formerly incarcerated people and their families in leading positive and productive lives. 

Utilizing a strengths-based, family-centered
treatment model, the FFNC is designed to increase the likelihood of positive reintegration into the community, successful family reunification, and reduce incidences of violence and victimization through family-based prevention and intervention. We focus on 7 different areas of service: mental health, substance abuse, housing/homelessness, health, education, family support, and employment/income. When fully established, the FFNC will provide community based wrap-around services to individuals and families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

Current Services at the Friends and Families Center:

• Information on maintaining contact with an incarcerated family member in state prison or county jail, including visiting infomation
• A support group (Criminals and Gangmembers Anonymous) for formerly incarcerated people
• Liaison between family members, social service providers, and incarcerated people
• Information and referral to community resources for special assistance, including housing, substance abuse, medical/mental health needs, income establishment, and employment/education
• Reentry assistance, including support groups, information and referral, provided by experienced case managers who understand the challenges of reentry and family reunification
• Support for family members, both during and after the incarceration of a loved one

Future Services

• HIV/STD testing and referrals in conjunction with Public Health
• Mentorship programs
• Computer lab access
• 12 Step support groups and meetings, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
• Parenting education and anger management to meet the requirements of court-ordered parents

The FFNC will provide a tangible focal point where families will be able to access programs and services to help them cope with the impact of incarceration, including information and resources,  referrals to community partners, peer-led support groups, mental health services, emergency needs, employment training and search assistance, and social and recreational opportunities to mitigate the effects of social isolation, either directly or through collaboration.

By increasing the health and wellbeing of a neighborhood, we can increase the health and wellbeing of an entire community. The best approach is one person, one family at a time, utilizing existing strengths and supports, and working from within.  We also believe that it is important to engage individuals, families, and neighborhoods as natural allies to accomplish these goals.