Connecting those in reentry with service providers to transform the look, feel, and impact of social services across Philadelphia

Throughout the year the Think Tank partners with various service providers to help solve struggles in their work, partner on policy campaigns, and collaborate on public events. Throughout each partnership, we position those in reentry as experts, as consultants with unique knowledge, experience, and passion to make Philadelphia more safe, whole, and free.
Find out more about our current and past partnerships, and ways to contact the Think Tank for future partnerships below.

Consulting Partnership #001: The Defenders Association

Understanding the Problem

Think Tank fellows worked with Policy Director, Mark Houldin to identify and analyze struggles the Defenders had with building trust with their clients, and collectively came up with the Resume For Freedom Project, a pre-interview experience that provides lawyers with more complex, nuanced, and positive stories of their clients, not just their criminal records. 

Resume for Freedom

Think Tank fellows then worked with Houldin and the top staff of the Defenders to propose the idea, get feedback, and come up with ways to connect the work directly with their clients.

Prototyping the Project

Think Tank fellows then brought the Resume for Freedom to the Defenders waiting room where they greeted and interviewed clients. The filled out booklets were then given to lawyers before they met their clients so that the first thing they saw was the human story, not the criminal record.

Consulting Partnership #002: RISE (Mayor's Office of Reintegration Services)

Understanding the Issue

Think Tank fellows met with RISE director, Ceciley Bradford Jones to tour RISE's new office, hear about her vision, and make notes about what they would suggest adding, changing, and adapting. 

Presenting Our Report

Think Tank fellows then transformed each of their notes into a collective report to RISE including all of their suggestions (which ranged from adding art to the space, to experience design suggestions, to changes to their intake form). 

Plans for the Future

After receiving feedback from RISE's top leadership, the Think Tank is working to make suggestions a reality. More info / updates to come in January 2018!

Are you providing services to those in reentry?

Partner with the Think Tank to make your work as powerful, relevant, trauma informed, and effective as possible.