Friends of the Lifer’s mission is to provide programs and services that promote self-sufficiency for citizens who were formerly incarcerated or have a criminal record; and to develop programs that assist in juvenile delinquency prevention, individual development, and community improvement.

Friends of the Lifers Youth Corporation is a Hudson County-based non-profit with the self-assigned task of assisting the “Reentry Population” in obtaining the necessary skills and support to establish positive relationships with their families, employment opportunities and the social supports critical to instill a love of learning and community involvement.

As the number of ex-offenders entering communities in New Jersey continues to increase, community and financial opportunities for this population become scarcer. Friends of Lifers realize the vision of our founder, Harvey George. An ex-offender himself, he founded Friends of Lifers Youth Corp. with the belief that if we provide people with better choices, they will choose better.

The organization focuses on teaming with community organizations, social service agencies, and the Division of Criminal Justice to provide the widest array of support services and reintegration assistance.

The cornerstone of our agency is the Passport to Reentry initiative which provides Housing for men and women. By providing citizens reentering their old neighborhoods with safe housing in their communities, we take the first step towards a life of sustainable growth and development and follow it up with the supports necessary for successful reentry—while reducing recidivism.  With “Social Enterprise” models integrated in to our organization, we foster entrepreneurship and job training while funding some of our services.