FIVE KEYS SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS

Five Keys is a California-based nonprofit that offers adult education, workforce development, reentry services, and supportive housing programs that helps justice-impacted individuals and others from marginalized communities to gain a foothold on opportunity so that they can pursue their aspirations and transform their lives. Our work is driven by local needs across 12 counties (San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles) as well as niche programs in other areas. We collaborate closely with public agencies, community-based organizations, and post-secondary institutions to provide education, workforce training, housing services, behavioral health referrals, reentry assistance, and more.

——EDUCATION—— Five Keys was founded in 2003 as a fully accredited charter high school for adults inside a county jail. As we addressed the complex issues that were barriers to our students' success, our work expanded beyond the jail to the wider community. Today we serve more than 10,000 students each year in 17 jails in 9 counties and at more than 80 community-based learning centers, in collaboration with local partners. Five Keys provides FREE adult education for anyone residing in California to earn their High School Diploma or obtain their GED or HiSET equivalency. We offer ESL for English language learners; dual enrollment with local community colleges; career training; in-person and online learning options; and access to devices and wifi. Graduation ceremonies are held for community students and students in jails, and they are always deeply moving and celebratory experiences.

——HOUSING SERVICES—— Since 2018, Five Keys has operated transitional and supportive housing programs that adhere to the "Housing-First / Harm-Reduction" model. We operate more than 15 sites, including congregate and single room emergency shelters, navigation centers, permanent supportive housing, respite care, senior housing, and reentry housing for domestic violence survivors. One transitional reentry housing program is Home Free, which serves mature women survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking who are released after decades in prison for sentences related to their self-defense. Through our housing programs, we serve more than 4,000 guests and residents each year.

——EMPLOYMENT—— Five Keys is committed to providing good jobs and career advancement for hundreds of individuals who have lived experience and face systemic barriers to employment. Our entire housing division---from entry level through leadership---is staffed with people who have been unhoused, incarcerated, and/or in recovery. Each year we hire more than 200 individuals still in the throes of their own reentry process. We provide robust job training, mentorship, and wellness supports so they can stabilize their lives and become successful in their jobs. Many find this work serving others to be deeply rewarding. 100% of the housing division's 70 directors, assistant directors, and shift supervisors have been promoted from within.

——TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT—— Our transitional employment programs hire thousands of parolees, probationers, and veterans into programs across the state that provide stepping stones to permanent employment. For example, we partner with Caltrans to provide transitional employment on highway work crews and we partner with the City of Los Angeles and service partners to deliver hygiene services, mobile showers and street cleaning crews. Workforce and life skills training, along with job placement assistance help participants get on a path toward economic stability.

——REENTRY SUPPORT—— Reentry programs are offered in county jails, state prisons, and at community service sites. Five Keys serves youth and adults prior to leaving custody, while on probation or parole, and formerly incarcerated who continue to face barriers. We provide transitional case management, behavioral health and treatment referrals, housing navigation, assistance obtaining IDs and drivers licenses, help enrolling in benefit programs, and counseling guidance for next-step programs and to pursue career interests.

——COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERS (CAP) ALLIANCE—— In 2015 Five Keys founded the Community Action Partners Alliance to bring together local community leaders, employers, government agencies, and nonprofits to collaborate on efforts to reduce recidivism by increasing access to employment, housing, and services for reentering residents. The CAP Alliance has grown to 7 chapters (Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach, San Diego, San Fernando, San Francisco, and Stockton) with more than 500 members committed to improving reentry success in their respective locations. CAP members convene at our annual conference to learn from each other and share best practices.

——LOOKING AHEAD——
Five Keys continues to develop innovative and holistic solutions that are responsive to the needs of those we serve and developed in collaboration with participants and partners. Five Keys emphasizes individualized attention and treating all people with dignity and respect. We help transitional age youth and adults of all ages transform their lives by finishing high school, learning a trade, finding gainful employment, stabilizing housing, and addressing challenges of health and wellbeing for themselves and their families.

We thank our partners, funders, and collaborators who share in these transformative endeavors.