A Home for Redemption
Nancy Adams grew comfortable sharing her Compton townhome during the COVID-19 pandemic when she rented spare bedrooms to traveling nurses. Still, it was a long leap of faith to open her home to her current house guest — a paroled murderer.
A Chance for Redemption
Adams, 72, had retired from a career in banking but still relishes her backup job, tending bar at Crypto.com Arena. "I try to keep it exciting," she said. "What’s the point of waking up?" But it was something deeper — a mixture of Christian faith, a familial experience with incarceration, a touch of loneliness — that drew her to the post on social media seeking homes for former inmates.
The Homecoming Project
After mulling it over a week, Adams responded. In October, she became a host for the Homecoming Project, a prison reentry program that turns private homes into transitional housing for men and women during their first year out of prison. Adams, who had accepted her brother back into her home after more than a decade of estrangement and cared for him through his final years, was intuitively aligned with the mission.
A New Beginning
Given profiles of three prospects, her choice was easy. Nicholas Nabors, a 49-year-old man who had served 29 years in prison for murder, was the one. He had earned an AA degree and thrived in his work in prison making DMV tags. He had met his fiancée through prison correspondence. He had a job on a maintenance crew with the California Department of Transportation.
The Oakland-based Homecoming Project
The Homecoming Project was launched in 2018 by the national nonprofit Impact Justice, whose mission is investing in community-based models of justice reform. The Homecoming Project has placed 157 former inmates in Bay Area homes. After their six-month stays, none of the 37 who have so far graduated has returned to prison.
A New Home
Paroled to Los Angeles, Nabors spent 90 days in a drug rehabilitation program near MacArthur Park. Even though addiction was not a problem, he completed the program as required and then moved to a transitional home in South Los Angeles. After six months, his funding from the state STOP program expired, and he had to start paying $750 rent for a shared room.
A New Lease on Life
At a low point, he turned to the Los Angeles office of the Center for Employment Opportunities, one of four organizations that partner with the Homecoming Project. They got him the Caltrans job, and a staffer saw his potential and referred him to the Homecoming Project. Three months later, Nabors moved into the four-bedroom home in a gated community just east of Compton City Hall.
Conclusion
The Homecoming Project is a demonstration of what is possible when former inmates are given a second chance. With the support of hosts like Nancy Adams, former inmates can reintegrate into society and start anew. The program’s success is a testament to the power of redemption and the importance of community-based models of justice reform.
FAQs
Q: What is the Homecoming Project?
A: The Homecoming Project is a prison reentry program that turns private homes into transitional housing for men and women during their first year out of prison.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Homecoming Project?
A: Only former inmates who have served at least 10 years in prison and have completed three required rehabilitation programs are eligible to participate.
Q: How does the Homecoming Project work?
A: The Homecoming Project works by matching former inmates with hosts who provide them with a safe and supportive living environment during their transition back into society.
Q: What kind of support does the Homecoming Project provide to its clients?
A: The Homecoming Project provides its clients with a range of support services, including job training, education, and counseling.
Q: How successful is the Homecoming Project?
A: The Homecoming Project has a 100% success rate, with none of its clients returning to prison after completing the program.
