Overview / Background:
The Ex-Offender Action
Network (EAN) is a newly formed organization of ex-offenders who have
come together to support recently released ex-offenders and incarcerated
persons. Ernest Austin, EAN’s founder and leader organizer, celebrated
2 years of release from prison and made it his priority to help other
ex-offenders gain a head start toward successful reintegration back
into society.
EAN provides ex-offenders with access to peer focus groups, job training
and placement assistance, and health education services.
Program Services:
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Peer focus groups are facilitated by ex-offenders and allow participants to discuss challenges and successes they face as recently released ex-offenders and incarcerated persons. |
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This project is designed to increase AIDS education, outreach, and behavior changes among adults leaving prison and jail and returning to halfway houses. Through workshops and trainings, participants learn how to protect themselves from HIV and AIDS. |
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| Education Courses | |
Ex-Offenders who do not have a high school diploma or GED may participate in Adult Basic Education and GED preparation courses. Enrollment is open and any individual interested in education courses may be referred to a designated EAN site for free classes. |
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EAN provides ex-offenders, on a referral basis, to community-based networks for drug and alcohol treatment. In partnership with Special Services for Groups, a long-time network of minority run drug and alcohol treatment providers, ex-offenders have access to a variety of programs and services. |
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| Job Training and Placement Opportunities | |
EAN provides ex-offenders with job readiness skills, job training and placement opportunities. EAN organizers seek companies who will provide entry-level opportunities for ex-offenders. |
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| Fatherhood Program | |
The Fatherhood program helps re-united ex-offenders with their children. The program links fathers to programs that offer assistance with child support issues and responsible parenting courses. |
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| Sponsoring Organization: | |
The Ex-Offender Action Network (EAN) is a special project of Los Angeles Metropolitan, (LAM) Churches. Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches is a network of 47 small to mid-sized African American congregations that span Los Angeles County. LAM was founded in 1994 with a mission to build the capacity of clergy, lay and community leaders to revitalize the communities in which they live, work, and worship. For the past eight years, LAM has been engaged in a number of policy initiatives designed to address prisoner re-entry and crime intervention. |
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