Reentry Spotlight: Brian Hamilton Foundation
January 28, 2021
Beginning a New Business, Beginning a New Life – Entrepreneurship Courses Come to GTL Tablets
Almost half a million incarcerated individuals are able to use GTL tablets daily to access content that can transform their lives not only in a correctional facility but transform their lives once released. For that reason, GTL has partnered with the Brian Hamilton Foundation to make its entrepreneurship courses, Starter U, available for viewing. Studies have shown that individuals that engage in active learning are 43 percent less likely to end up back in a correctional facility after release.
We are currently working with our facility customers to offer these courses to all individuals with tablet access. The first facilities to roll out Starter U were the Mecklenburg County Detention Centers in Charlotte, NC. “We are thrilled about the deployment of the tablet technology,” said Garry L. McFadden, Mecklenburg County Sheriff. “This technology platform and specific learning programs like Starter U gives our residents an additional educational resource which truly helps to prepare them for their successful transition back into our community.”
The Brian Hamilton Foundation is a national philanthropic organization that teaches entrepreneurship to help break down socioeconomic barriers. The foundation provides free entrepreneurship education for everyone, whether you already own a business or want to start one. Even if your incarcerated loved one starts the program and has not finished before release, they can continue taking the courses and expanding their knowledge once back home.
“There are 2.3 million people currently in prison or jail in the United States, and we want to equip them for what comes next,” explained Brian Hamilton, founder of the Brian Hamilton Foundation. “Starter U is about showing people that you don’t need tons of money or experience to start a business – you just need an idea, commitment, and simple skills to see it through. The program is especially important because of the difficulty people with criminal records have in finding traditional employment.”
We agree. Returning citizens truly deserve a second chance, and these partnerships are providing resources that simply were not there before. “We continue to grow our understanding of how we can have a positive impact on incarcerated individuals and returning citizens,” said Pelicia Hall, Senior Vice President, Reentry Services. “We are providing people with the opportunity to help themselves; creating better citizens benefits everyone.”
To learn more about the Brian Hamilton Foundation:
Website: https://brianhamilton.org/
Email address: info@brianhamilton.org
ConnectNetwork’s Reentry Spotlight features organizations and resources focused on helping returning citizens and their family and friends. For a list of more organizations and resources, go here.
Reach out to your loved one and extend your support!
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