JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What if a second chance at life after prison came with a full support system, housing, therapy, education and job training?
Rebecca Davis, the founder of the nonprofit R.E.S.T.O.R.E., made that second chance a reality for so many women trying to integrate back into society after leaving prison.
R.E.S.T.O.R.E. stands for Rebuilding Ex-offenders Successfully Through Opportunities, Rehabilitation and Education.
Davis’ pivotal moment that launched her desire to give back to others was when she was laid off from a major insurance company, where she had dedicated 19 years of her time.
“I’ve always had a heart to serve people,” Davis said. “I love people, overlooked populations, and of course, women. We fall into that category, oftentimes, especially if you know you’ve been incarcerated at any point.”
R.E.S.T.O.R.E was born in 2017, and through fundraising, Davis built a house for women leaving prison, who were determined to reclaim their lives.
Tarlexus, from Palm Beach, was put behind bars on a drug charge and found her footing through the program.
“I knew I wanted more. I deserved more. I knew I was smart. I knew that I had goals. I had dreams, and I knew that I would never be able to fulfill those goals or needs back home in that same toxic environment,” she said.
The nonprofit has opened two rehabilitation homes for formerly incarcerated women, and it recently received a $400,000 matching grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund to build more housing.
There are even plans underway to build a quadplex.
Valerie was recently released from prison for the fourth time in February. She said the nonprofit opened her eyes to other possibilities in life.
“I’ve been in and out of the drug life for so many years, and I didn’t know you could have so much fun sober and laugh so much and just that there’s a whole world waiting for you out there,” she told News4JAX.
Davis’ nonprofit has helped more than 100 women get back on their feet.
“It’s very rewarding to see when they get their driver’s license, get their first car, get their apartment, get their jobs, and reunite with their family,” Davis said.
Just like people go to a job fair in search of landing a new career move, prisons host “re-entry” fairs for inmates who are about to be released.
Davis said a therapist and case manager are involved in the interviewing process to ensure the women are serious about turning their lives around.
Watch the full Discover the Joy podcast below:
Also, visit restoreduval.com to learn more about the nonprofit.