Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced a $4 million federal grant to the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope to help double the initiative of improving the lives of youth and young adults who need extra focus and support to succeed on a productive path in life.

“We are a community that says we are here to help you do better on your pathway ahead,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope continues to expand and establish a track record of success thanks to our partnership and federal support that this year will provide a big boost in investment for its job skills development and support services offered for returning citizens.”

For more than five years, the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope has received similar annual grants of about $1.5 million. However, because of its proven track record of success, including a recidivism rate of less than 20 percent, this year, the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope received $4 million so that it can expand the number of returning citizens it serves by more than double -- from 188 to 563. Its footprint will also expand from Hillsborough to include Pasco.

Today’s Pathway Home grant is awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Reentry Employment Opportunities to assist in the transition of justice-involved adults back to the workplace and the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope was one of 20 recipients nationwide.

“We offer support to grow all the way around, but sustainable employment is the ultimate goal,” said Titania Lamb, executive director of Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, located at 7402 N. 56^th St., Tampa, FL  33617. While the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope works directly with youth in schools or young adults in prisons, during the pandemic, it has moved to online jobs training and live coaching to maintain its level of services and help ensure successful reentry.

While voting rights for exfelons are still on hold in Florida even after a 2018 statewide ballot amendment on the issue passed, Ms. Lamb says she and her students have been active on it, even traveling to Tallahassee to advocate.

“It’s part of closing the chapter on their time served and truly making them part of our community,” Lamb said.

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