The Neighbor Center
Compassionate Pre-Release and Post-Release Programs that Lead to Success
The Neighbor Center, established in 2016 by the Mobile Area Interfaith Conference (MAIC), provides comprehensive, community-based reentry services for returning neighbors (former inmates from local, state, and federal correctional centers). Our mission is to transform the community by reducing recidivism and building a stronger, healthier neighborhood.
- Core Services: The Neighbor Center offers essential resources including education, job training, and employment opportunities through strategic partnerships with other local agencies.
- Integrated Support: Case managers provide personalized support through individualized goal setting, assisting clients with securing essential documents, housing, financial stability, self-sufficiency, food, clothing, and job placement to prevent re-incarceration.
- Merger: In 2024, the Academy merged with the Neighbor Center, enhancing our ability to provide these critical services.
- Impact: Since inception, we have served 781 individuals. Our current recidivism rate is 38.5% (301 individuals have returned to jail).
Services Provided by the Neighbor Center
Job Readiness
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
Employability skills are taught to promote excellent work habits and attitudes, resume writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies so participants
will find success when searching for employment.
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
The Neighbor Center provides Food, Shelter, Medication, Transportation, and Clothing for Pre and Post Released Incarcerated Neighbors.
Case Management
Emergency Services
Referral Services
Transitional Case Management allows the concerns of a returning citizen to be addressed as they transition back into society. The Case Manager meets on a regular basis with participants to help
access the programs and services they need.
Referral Services
Job Training and Supportive Employment
Referral Services
The Neighbor Center partners with various services to provide Addiction Treatment, Employment Assistance, Education, Health Care, Legal Services, Disabilities Services, Mental Health Treatment, and Housing.
Life Skills Class
Job Training and Supportive Employment
Job Training and Supportive Employment
A comprehensive behavior change approach that concentrates on the development of the skills needed for
life such as communication, decision–making, thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, self–esteem building, resisting peer pressure, and relationship skills.
Job Training and Supportive Employment
Job Training and Supportive Employment
Job Training and Supportive Employment
A comprehensive behavior change approach that concentrates on the development of the skills needed for
life such as communication, decision–making, thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, self–esteem building, resisting peer pressure, and relationship skills.
Mentorship Program
Mentorship Program
Mentorship Program
Mentors will build relationships with returning citizens for at least six months as they transition back into society. Over this period, a mentor will meet in person
with a mentee in public venues (e.g., library) and call the mentee to check in on a regular basis.
Job Training Classes and Placement
The Neighbor Center now offers education, job training and employment opportunities.
The core purposes are establishing a sense of status and esteem through enrollment, a sense of belonging and connection to others, experiencing acceptance through a group process and goal-setting as well as achievement. The entire process is rooted in cognitive behavioral techniques and will be done in a faith-based, supportive environment. The end goal is for each returning neighbor to find the life God has always intended for them.
Stable employment is critical.
"Stable employment is critical to a successful transition into the community, but reentering individuals often encounter significant barriers in finding employment upon release from prisons and jails, including low levels of education, limited vocational (or marketable) skills and limited work experience.