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Reconnect

When the release date comes, and the key is turned, and you walk out those prison gates, a new life begins. However, closed and locked doors also await you on the outside when you have a felony record: doors to jobs, housing, and more. You need a "key" to open those doors and get a new start in life. A listing of Resource Links is listed below.

RECONNECT, a program of Amicus, is an information and referral service especially for ex-offenders. We understand the special challenges that come with being an ex-offender. We can help you link up with:

  • Shelter and housing
  • Employment
  • Identification
  • Education
  • Aftercare programs
  • Clothing
  • Family services
  • Single-parent resources
  • Food shelves
  • Furniture
and much more. If you tell us what your needs are, we’ll try to find a resource that can help. We handle each case individually to try to surround you with a circle of support for your new life. Use the release planning guide in this brochure to organize your thoughts, and give us a call.

We don’t get involved in business between the ex-offender and the Department of Corrections, and we don’t advocate for you in the judicial system. But if you need practical help and leads for housing, jobs and other needs, we’ll meet with you individually and help you locate resources to build a new and positive life.

RECONNECT services are available through consultations in prison and also at the Amicus office in downtown Minneapolis after your release. You can also access helpful information through RECONNECT Online. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

RECONNECT also welcomes employers, landlords, and service providers who might be willing to hire, rent to, or assist ex-offenders to contact us for information and be added to our resource list.

For more information call or email Mary Maas, RECONNECT Program Director - 612-348-8570. Reconnect hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am - Noon; and Monday through Thursday 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

Mary Maas
Mary Maas with Reconnect.

Letter

"Dear Dona and Greg,

I hope this letter reaches you in the best of health. I’m doing fine—OK, great. I’ve got a job at McDonald’s in Eden Prairie. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s a start. I started last week, working 40 hours a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I’m constantly planning my future, and grateful to have people who have supported me and helped me get to this point. I was down at Amicus the week before last. Dona gave me my birth certificate, whereupon I went to get my Minnesota I.D. I took your suggestion and am having it sent to Amicus.

I’ll be writing Richard Amos next week about getting an apartment upon my release September 7.

I’ll be calling you Monday at approximately 3:30 p.m., #1 to see how y’all are doing, and #2 to see if I can get a bus pass for work.

My biggest goal in life is to be a responsible person, to stop hurting and taking away from the community and start giving back: sharing the knowledge I’ve gained and helping the young brothers with their self esteem and worth.

Always grateful,

Derrick



Resource Links
Here you'll find Reconnect resources and sites that are related to ours. We have listed phone numbers to call, however you can follow the hyperlinks (where available) for more information. If you know of more links that we should list here, email us at staff@amicususa.org
General Resources Greater Twin Cities United Way - 211 First Call for Help Call 211 for information and referrals in Minnesota

Alliance of the Streets A program of St. Stephens, Minneapolis

Restorative Justice - Minnesota Department of Corrections A listing of publications and resources in Minnesota.

Craig's List Free Classified Ads for jobs, rentals, buy and sell, etc.
Employment Star Tribune Jobs Listing

Pioneer Press Jobs Listing (Listings from the St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Hennepin County Jobs

www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hr/index.asp

www.iseek.org (Contains lots of information about applying for jobs, interviewing, etc.)

www.mnworkforcecenter.org/jobs/jobnet.htm (Contains a link to the Minnesota Job Bank)

www.careerbuilder.com

www.jobweb.com

tbrnet.com

ForFarmers.com Description: A careers site for those involved in the field of agriculture. Agricultural positions from around the world (and Minnesota).

Agencies specializing in employment:

  • Workforce Centers (Minnesota Department of Economic Security) call (888) 438-5627 or visit www.mnworkforcecenter.org

  • Wilder EXCEL Job Club, call (651) 917-6225 for more information

  • HIRED, call (612) 529-3342 or visit www.hired.org

  • Project For Pride In Living (PPL) call (612) 874-8511 or visit www.ppl-inc.org

  • Twin Cities Rise!, call (612) 338-0295 for more information

Public Transportation Metro Transit bus system, call (612) 349-7400 or visit www.metrocouncil.org/transit/index.htm

Anoka County Transit, call (763) 422-7075

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (Burnsville, Eagan, etc.) call (952) 882-7500

Plymouth Metrolink, call (763) 349-7000

Dial-A-Ride Services, call (612) 559-5057

Metro Mobility (disabled) call (651) 602-1111
Housing If you need a place to sleep tonight - Call 1-888-234-1329 The MESH-TCCVM Metro Shelter Hotline gives you the information you need about emergency shelter and transitional housing programs for single adults, families, and youth in the 7-county Metro Area (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) - TOLL FREE. Have pencil and paper handy to write down information.

Housing Link

Salvation Army

Star Tribune Homes and Rentals

People Serving People - the largest homeless shelter in Minnesota: www.peopleservingpeople.org

Volunteers of America Minnesota: www.voa.org

www.MinneapolisHouses.com
Food Food Banks:

America's Second Harvest: www.secondharvest.org

Channel One Food Shelf and Food Bank: http://channel-one.org

Minnesota Hunger Partners: www.mnhungerpartners.org 

Wonder Hostess Bakery Thriftshops:

  • New Hope, call (763) 533-2268
  • Minneapolis, call (612) 729-1710
  • St. Paul (2402 N. Rice St.), call (651) 484-6020
  • St. Paul (1546 West 7th), call (651) 665-9540
  • Burnsville, call (952) 890-7335
  • Maplewood, call (651) 770-7176
Clothing/ Household Sharing and Caring Hands Mary Jo's Sharing and Caring Hands

Goodwill Industries International, Inc.: www.goodwill.org

The Salvation Army: Minnesota: Salvation Army

Ragstock:

  • Uptown, call (612) 823-6690
  • St. Paul, call (651) 644-2733
  • Northfield, call (507) 645-9081
  • Crossroads Mall, call (320) 251-8962
  • Mall of America, call (952) 854-5133
  • Rosedale Mall, call (651) 697-1445
  • Burnsville Center, call (952) 435-2686
  • Northtown Mall, call (763) 786-6970

www.citypages.com/classifieds

Everyday People Clothing Exchange:

  • Uptown, call (612) 824-3112
  • Dinkytown, call (612) 623-9095
Legal Services 

Note: this list is for your information only. Amicus does not provide legal assistance and is unable to advise or make recommendations in this area.

Volunteer Lawyers Network, Ltd. 612-752-6677

Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis 612-332-1441

Minnesota Legal Services Coalition: www.mnlegalservices.org

Minnesota State Law Library: Minnesota Legal Resources: www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/mnlr.html
Education Computer Related Careers:

 
OTHER CAREERS
Health Care Find a Health Clinic - call (651) 489-2273

MN Dept. of Health:

"For confidential information about birth control methods, sexually transmitted infections and affordable clinic referrals."

call (651) 645-9360 or visit www.stdhotline.state.mn.us
Other Agencies that may be of help to ex-offenders

Hennepin County Government: www.co.hennepin.mn.us

Open Your Heart To the Hungry and Homeless: www.oyh.org

Minnesota Crossroads: www.crossroadsaftercare.org

 

Projects are funded/supported, in part, by the Office of Justice Programs through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.