Description

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Mondays through Fridays 9am to 5pm. Reentry classes are offered 8 times a year.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































We create second chances for men, women, and their loved ones to overcome the stigma of incarceration, regain purpose in their lives, and build a better tomorrow for all.































































































































































































































































To many people, the relationship between crime and employment is a matter of common sense. However, research tells a more complicated story. Those who remain crime free after prison, in general, have more positive attitudes about employment, get along better with their coworkers, and are more receptive to supervision than their re-offending peers. However, these qualities are not developed as a result of employment. They must be in place first.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Punchy slogans like 'better off working' and 'nothing stops a bullet like a job' are quick to engage the popular imagination however, evidence about what really works points in a different direction. Programming has to follow the research providing the right service, in the right amount, at the right time, and in the right way. This includes helping former offenders to develop healthy thinking patterns, meaningful work trajectories, effective coping strategies, positive social engagement, and positive interpersonal relationships. And to do this effectively, it requires that they develop clarity about their deepest values and the habit of finding meaning in the moment.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Our framework is based on 32 years of experience assisting former offenders to enter the workforce, mounting evidence about what drives crime, and nearly a century of research on the common factors impacting change efforts in counseling and training programs.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Mission Statement: Everyone deserves a second chance. However, second chances can be hard to find for former offenders and their loved ones. Through grassroots efforts and community initiatives that are restorative in nature and that provide realistic hope for those who have been affected by the criminal justice system, Chattanooga Endeavors creates second chances for men, women, and their loved ones to overcome the stigma of incarceration, to regain purpose in their lives, to become contributive members of the community, and to build a better tomorrow for all.