In addition to the state prison system, such as the Middlesex House of Corrections’ Medication-assisted Treatment and Directed Opioid Recovery (MATADOR) program, nonprofit organizations also help inmates reintegrate into society.

Last year, the state awarded two Lowell organizations with money to continue their work.

The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell and Mass Hire of Greater Lowell each received $200,000, part of a $2.5 million grant through the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program, a state initiative to help former inmates return to work and lead productive lives.

MassHire wanted to use the funds to partner with the Middlesex House of Correction to establish a program focused on training ex-convicts in social services and manufacturing industries.

The Bridge Club’s services include detox, rehabilitation, placement in sober living settings, and helping former inmates re-enter the workforce and society. Recently, a gambling problem counseling component was added to their list of programs.

These visionary public and private initiatives have proven their value – both for ex-offenders leading productive lives and for society at large.

And in recognition of the Bridge Club’s many successful programs, the state recently named the Lowell-based organization one of 11 nonprofits to receive $2.6 million in new Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration grants.

The Healey-Driscoll government made the announcement on Tuesday, making awards available to help 365 former prisoners return to the workforce in a range of sectors, including culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and health care.

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones joined state and local officials, grantees and partner labor organizations at Positive Action Against Chemical Addictions, Inc. (PAACA) in New Bedford, one of the organizations that received funding.

The $250,000 grant from PAACA will be used for training focused on health care and addiction treatment.

Successful graduates of the program are employed as community health workers, recovery specialists, recovery coaches, recovery counselors, peer navigators, and outreach workers at High Point Treatment Center and the Seven Hills Foundation.

The Bridge Club will use the $250,000 grant to partner with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office on a 30-person training program with a focus on the culinary arts and manufacturing sectors.

Successful graduates of the program are employed as cooks at Lenzi’s Catering in Dracut and as warehouse workers, machine operators and package handlers at Spruce Environmental Technologies in Haverhill.

“As a board, we want to ensure that individuals returning to our communities gain relevant skills and experiences to thrive in today’s job market,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The partnerships reflected in each of these grants with public safety, employers and vocational training organizations open doors for individuals who deserve a second chance and a chance to pursue career paths right here in Massachusetts.”

This latest round of funding for the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration came through the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and was administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency within EOLWD.

This grant program, which was continued in the state budget for fiscal year 2025, is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals returning to their communities after incarceration.

“Investing in reentry job training is a moral and social imperative, as well as an economic imperative,” Secretary Jones said. “Supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through targeted training and employment opportunities … helps break the cycle of incarceration and provides a path to a brighter future by giving individuals the tools they need to succeed professionally and personally.”

Undersecretary of State for Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy added that “creating meaningful and lasting employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated people is critical to their successful reintegration into society and reducing repeat offending.”

Other receiving organizations are:

• Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Greenfield, $165,000: Training program with a focus on the culinary and manufacturing sectors.

• Community Work Services, Boston: $250,000: Training program focused on clean energy technology and the culinary arts/hospitality industry.

• Future Home Apprenticeship and Recovery Programs, Inc., Dorchester: $244,464: Training program designed specifically for the construction industry.

• New England Culinary Arts Training, Boston: $249,593: Training program focused on the foodservice and hospitality sectors.

• Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester: $239,216: Training program specifically designed for the culinary and hospitality industries.

• Snapchef Foundation, Dorchester: $219,626: Training program focused on the culinary industry.

• STRIVE Boston, Boston: $250,000: Training program for the health care and social assistance sectors.

• Uncornered, Dorchester: $250,000: Training program for the health care and social assistance sectors.

• WeReach, East Boston: $250,000: Training program with a focus on the information technology industry.

The efforts of all of these organizations play a critical role in transitioning these individuals into entry-level positions – an opportunity to gain a foothold that will hopefully lead to further advancement and ultimately economic independence.

Locally, we have seen that, with the guidance of the Bridge Club’s caring mentors and coaches, recently released prisoners and those recovering from drug/alcohol addiction and gambling addiction – if given the opportunity – can lead productive lives.

Originally published: August 15, 2024 at 12:23 pm