News
July Highlights
Highlights of our staff and program accomplishments throughout July.
- Osborne kicked off celebrations for the 40th anniversary of FamilyWorks – the first comprehensive parenting program for men in a state prison – with two recent graduations. In May, seven fathers and father figures completed the program at Otisville Correctional Facility, with four of them joining spouses or significant others to complete our Connected Couples seminar. The June graduation at Green Haven Correctional Facility featured moving remarks from Emani Davis, whose family’s experience of incarceration led her mother and former Osborne CEO Liz Gaynes to launch the program in 1986. Emani also helped teach the curriculum early on. A total of 15 graduates were awarded certificates at Green Haven. “Graduating from FamilyWorks means I’m taking the right steps in life despite the circumstances,” said Mario, one of the graduates.
- This morning, Osborne joined partners the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Peaceprints of WNY for a press conference announcing the launch of our Kinship Reentry Housing Program in Buffalo. Listen to a story from Buffalo NPR here. This innovative, family-centered reentry housing model provides tailored support such as therapeutic counseling and financial literacy education, along with $500 in monthly cash assistance, to families welcoming loved ones home from incarceration. The Buffalo expansion is expected to serve 25 families each year. Since its 2021 start in New York City, the program has supported 343 participants and distributed nearly $1.5 million in funding to families for rent, utilities, groceries, and other expenses of their choosing. Nearly 100% of participants have avoided rearrest or reincarceration.
- In early May, a group of eight young people who completed our yearlong Bronx Osborne Gun Accountability and Prevention (BOGAP) program gathered in court for an extraordinary moment of reflection and commendation. Prompted by the judge as part of the official record, graduates shared what they learned from this intensive, three-phase program that challenges social norms, promotes behavior change, and supports participants in achieving employment and education goals. The 12th, 13th, and 14th BOGAP cohorts are currently underway.
- Osborne’s annual benefit returns this fall at a new Tribeca location. This year, we are proud to honor Commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal RuthAnne Visnauskas; Will Blodgett, Founder and CEO of Tredway, an affordable and mixed-income real estate developer; Jermaine Archer, Executive Director of Rehabilitation Through the Arts, which brings performing and visual arts into eight New York state prisons; and power couple Chris Hayes, Emmy Award-winning Anchor of MS NOW’s “All In with Chris Hayes,” and Kate Shaw, Professor of Law, Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Co-host of the “Strict Scrutiny” podcast. Tickets are now on sale and sponsorship opportunities are available. We hope you’ll join us on October 27 for an exciting event in support of Osborne’s mission.