Persevere

The mission of Persevere is to empower currently and formerly incarcerated youth, men, and women to succeed as productive members of society. Persevere's mission is to change the lives of the justice-involved individuals we serve by providing them with education, mentoring, and ongoing support to develop the skills needed to be employable within the technology industry as employees or entrepreneurs.

What is Persevere?

Persevere is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to end mass incarceration, reduce recidivism, and empower incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and other justice-involved men and women to succeed as productive members of society.

Who is Persevere?

Persevere is made up of a group of caring people just like you who believe in second chances. We are professionals, software developers, mothers, fathers, retirees, blue collar workers, corrections professionals, and more. We come from all walks of life. Some of us are justice-involved ourselves; others have family members who have been involved with the criminal justice system. And some of us are simply concerned citizens who care about giving people a second chance and a new opportunity to succeed.

What does Persevere do?

With the help of our supporters, we provide:
- Computer coding classes that lead to six levels of certification including front End Developer Certification and Full Stack Developer Certification.
- Career readiness instruction
- Financial fitness, family reunification, emotional wellness, physical wellness, and alcohol/drug abuse recovery (Persevere+)
- Wraparound case management services
- Individualized career preparation
- Job placement
- Long term mentoring and technical support

These services represent an entire continuum of care that starts when participants enter the program and continues throughout their first full year of employment after graduation.

Persevere also operates a men's transition home in Memphis, Tennessee for up to seven formerly incarcerated Persevere graduates.

Who does Persevere serve?

We serve justice involved individuals, including incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women, and individuals on probation. We also serve youth and adults at risk for criminal justice involvement. We give an opportunity to those that society has forgotten.

Testimonials

Alex M. a Persevere graduate, was incarcerated for five years before Persevere. He was Persevere's first participant to be released from prison and receive TES services at the Memphis SSC, and now he is working for a wage in his on-the-job training. He was a truck driver before prison, but his hope for meaningful work evaporated when he was incarcerated. Since then, as a result of his participation in Persevere, his hope has been restored. In his words:

"Persevere has been there for every aspect of my life. They gave me a place to stay when I was released from prison. I utilized the tools Persevere has given me to move forward with family reunification, transportation, and even personal growth. Through Persevere I have become a better man, father and son. I asked a lot from Persevere but I'm starting to think "Impossible" isn't in their vocabulary. My boss even showed up to my parole hearing to speak on my behalf! Persevere is absolutely amazing. I have been left speechless countless times."

Another Persevere student was incarcerated for about four years before Persevere. Prior to that, he struggled with addiction, and he went from job to job in construction without hope of being able to quality for something else. He has been with Persevere for over nine months, twice as long as he lasted at most of his construction jobs. He's earning a wage as he completes his on-the-job training, and soon he'll be working independently.. He says:

"Persevere came into my life at the perfect time. I was sober long enough to start seriously thinking about my future. Shortly after beginning the program, I knew that I had made the right decision. Persevere has changed my life. I like to say that I finally found something I was good at. The visions I now have concerning my future are tangible. I have been given the skills, opportunity and hope that I needed to become the man I always wanted to be but thought was out of reach. I am a completely different person now."