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FirstFollowers Mission:
To build strong and
peaceful communities
by providing support,
guidance and hope
to formerly incarcerated people
and their loved ones through
peer mentorship.
Our Story
Building Community through Reentry
FirstFollowers began as a drop-in center in 2015. Through the good graces of Bethel AME Church we were provided with office space and facilities to meet with people coming home from prison and assist them in finding housing, employment and reconnecting to the community. Our intention was to both provide services and build an organization of formerly incarcerated people that could become a force for justice in our community. In December of 2015 we registered as a non-profit organization. We work on a peer mentoring model, believing that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.
Our Growth
Over the years we have not only grown in number but in influence as well. You will see us everywhere in our light blue shirts- at city council meetings, in community organizations, on the UIUC Campus, and working to renovate houses for the Housing Authority. We now run a workforce development program for emerging adults called GoMAD (Make A Difference); a transition house for people coming home from prison, support groups for individuals impacted by violence and incarceration, hosting community events to prevent violence and constantly advocating for the advancement of the rights of those with felony convictions. We are living up to our motto "Building Community Through Reentry."
GoMAD
Go Make A Difference
This program was established 2017. It's specific target audience is 18-24 year olds who have had some contact with the criminal legal system or other encounters with authorities.
GoMAD combines classroom-based education in life skills and social justice with practical employment skills. To date, our employment- oriented programs have focused on construction skills to prepare participants for apprenticeship programs.
We have had four cohorts of GoMAD participants. Along with their classroom based activities they have played an important role in renovating our FirstSteps Community House, our offices on Cottage Court and our Transformative Justice Hub in Champaign. GoMAD also partners with the City of Urbana in the Community Housing Development Organization. They renovate homes to be placed in the affordable housing market.
Click here for more information.
Transitional Housing
A transition
house for people returning home from prison.
Residents stay at FirstSteps rent free and
receive resources needed to make a smooth
transition. We have been operating FirstSteps since 2019 and not a single resident has
returned to prison.
Click here for more information.
Families of Resilience
This program provides support and inspiration to individuals who have a loved
one behind bars or who has recently returned home from prison.
Click here for more information.
FirstFollowers Video Testimonials
2 Videos
