ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The Department of Justice has designated April 24th through the 30th as National Reentry Week.
It highlights programs that help ex-offenders rejoin their communities.
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In Roanoke, a new housing initiative opened its doors to former felons.
Tuesday was the official opening of the "New Chapter Housing Initiative" house.
Bernie Harvey is one of two ex-offenders currently taking part in the program. He said he is happy to have his own room. Harvey spent nearly 12 years in prison. Now, he wants to focus on rebuilding his life.
"Really concentrate on finances, rebuilding and restarting," said Harvey.
The "New Chapter Housing Initiative" is a partnership between community groups, state and local politicians, as well as God's House Baptist Ministry. Pastor Floyd Davis said the goal is to help reduce recidivism rates by offering housing to qualified applicants.
"Everybody deserves a second chance, everybody," said Pastor Floyd Davis, God's House Baptist Ministry. "We wanted to make sure that we did our part in doing that so that these guys will have no excuse to go back to the life they were living".
In addition to a roof over their heads, the reentry program provides male ex-offenders with job training, financial advice, and other services.
"Our objective is to have these guys here a year and in that year they are able to apply and get an apartment or housing somewhere else," said Pastor Davis.
Harvey said he is grateful to have a steady job and support from the community following his release from prison. Through the "New Chapter Housing Initiative", people in Roanoke hope to see more men who served their time turn into productive citizens.
Organizers said in the future, they'd like to have 4 to 5 people at a time take part in the program.