Class of 2021
Political Science
Amicus
Amicus is a nonprofit focused on helping formerly incarcerated people re-enter mainstream communities successfully. We help our clients secure employment, housing, and affordable transportation to gain a sense of stability after incarceration.
For my project, I focused on finding more felony-friendly housing, and advocating for more felony-friendly housing on the policy level. I pored over apartment listings and connected with landlords willing to rent to people with criminal records. I realized some were concerned about our clients’ knowledge of their responsibilities as tenants, so I created booklets outlining pointers for renters to distribute to our clients.
I also studied how Minneapolis can better serve formerly-incarcerated people struggling to find housing. I researched Mayor Frey’s newest affordable housing project, examining how it would approach helping the homeless with criminal backgrounds. Eventually, I went to the Mayor’s office to present my research and push for more progressive terms.
I am quite grateful to the Chuck Green Fellowship for helping me pursue this opportunity. The challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated population are often forgotten by members of our society, and Amicus staff work hard to fill the gap by being a strong resource. I’m proud to be part of the Amicus legacy.