The EMERGE Model
The EMERGE model uses transitional employment and engages participants in wrap-around services to break the cycle of recidivism, build community, and inspire hope. We support formerly incarcerated people successfully integrate back into their communities, and seek to remove the shame and stigma of incarceration.
Our current justice system reflects deep-rooted racial injustices which hurt minorities, especially Black people. Due in part to legal barriers after incarceration, high recidivism rates are a deep-rooted problem all across America. Our institutions hinder genuine rehabilitation and exacerbate marginalization post-release, perpetuating generational inequity. Breaking these cycles demands a focus on healing. By addressing systemic injustices, prioritizing rehabilitation programs, and supporting successful reintegration, we can reduce recidivism rates and foster safer, fairer and healthier communities.
Break the Cycle
44%
of individuals released from a Connecticut Department of Correction facility returned within three years
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11%
At EMERGE, crew members and alumni experience significantly lower rates of re-incarceration in their first two years after program enrolment compared to Connecticut State statistics
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(Cumulative since 2011)
41%
of incarcerated people in Connecticut are Black, despite making up only 11% of the state population. 25% of the incarcerated population is Latinx despite making up only 15% of the state population.
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Build Community
Our Partners
EMERGE partners with local nonprofits, universities, religious communities, and community organizations to build a strong support network around each crewmember.
Some of our recent partners include:
CitySeed
Fair Haven Community Health Center
Neighborhood Housing Services
Southern Connecticut State University
Urban Resource Initiative at Yale University
Winning Ways
Bring Hope
Our Impact
As a social enterprise, EMERGE supports people returning home from incarceration by employing them and training them in marketable skills to earn competitive wages and build wealth.
1. As of July 2024, EMERGE crewmembers' wages range from $17.00-$21.75 per hour.
2. Over half of EMERGE crewmembers exit to full-time employment, with 82% still working one year later.
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3. EMERGE's commercial activity is a strong revenue driver with 40-50% of our budget generated in earned revenue each year.
