Brothers' Keepers is represented at a job fair for ex-offenders by (from left) founder Gerald Hatten, Jonathan Weathers, Bryant Rivera and Bruce Mobley.

Bryant Rivera had little hope for a life outside prison after he'd served time for assault and drug possession. With his criminal record, he thought he'd never find a job, and he believed all roads led back to prison.

Today, Bryant is working in Philadelphia-based Brothers' Keepers, an all-encompassing employment program that provides jobs and life skills to ex-offenders. He's been a productive citizen for two years and an exemplary employee. And he's just one example of the way Brothers' Keepers has turned upside down the national scourge of recidivism (the rate at which ex-offenders re-offend and return to prison).

"I'm surrounded by good people,’" Bryant said. "It's the energy of the whole thing. I see other people like myself, and we're all committed to doing the right thing."

Brothers' Keepers is a general contracting and bedbug prevention/removal business providing employment to ex-offenders in an environment that empowers employees to become financially self-sufficient. The thriving for-profit business is the dream of Gerald Hatten, a social entrepreneur determined to rebuild places and people. Brothers' Keepers has seen remarkable success in a landscape often blighted by failure.

Philadelphia's recidivism rate is 72 percent, according to the mayor's office. That number is slightly worse than the national rate of 67 percent, according to the most recent study by the bipartisan Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons. These numbers paint a bleak picture of people's chances at success after they pay their debt to society. But at Brothers' Keepers, the recidivism rate is 3 percent.

In the last year Brothers' Keepers has employed 65 ex-offenders in various positions. Two have re-offended. Neither was a serious crime, and one was re-hired. Brothers Keepers isn't just an employment program; Hatten works to provide life skills coaching and financial counseling, encourages employees to take part in the company through an employee ownership plan, and helps prepare employees for homeownership.

"Too many people are leaving prison without any help or preparation for transitioning back into society,’" Hatten said. "If you skip that step, you are setting people up for failure. When we do that, we all fail. That's why we work very hard to set people up for success."

Brothers' Keepers was founded in 2009 with the financial support of Resources for Human Development, a national human services nonprofit with headquarters in Philadelphia.

"Many people want to regain a place in society, and it is not their problem," RHD CEO Bob Fishman said. "It is a problem that touches all of us."

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, speaking at a recent job fair for ex-offenders sponsored by RHD, praised the work of Brothers' Keepers and gave words of encouragement to ex-offenders looking for a second chance.

"We understand the challenges you face. And we are here to help you face them,’" Nutter said. "The number one indicator of whether someone will go back to prison or not is whether they can find and hold a job within two months of release. The dignity of work, of providing for yourself and your family, there is something uplifting in that. And that's the way to turn this city around."

Bryant represented Brothers' Keepers at that job fair, helping to offer the same chance to others "who deserve the respect that I received."

"I didn't know what to do. I'd been in jail most of my life," Bryant said. "I wasn't even going to try for something better. I figured I already knew what was out there for me. You get that door slammed in your face so many times, you start closing that door on yourself. You get discouraged.

"It's like being in a maze, and you think you're never going to figure it out. You think about giving up. But then you get a chance to look at the maze and see the whole picture, and you find the door out. I know I'm not going back into that maze; I might not find my way out again."

To support Brothers' Keepers and its efforts to gainfully employ ex-offenders, call for a quote on a residential or business renovation project or inquire about its guaranteed bedbug prevention/removal services. Or consider donating to Brothers' Keepers at www.rhd.org.

To learn more about how employing ex-offenders affects positive change in communities and in people’s lives, contact RHD at info@rhd.org.

About Brothers' Keepers Hope Improvement Employment Program
Brothers' Keepers Hope Improvement is a general contracting business that provides employment to marginalized populations, including ex-offenders and adjudicated youth in a work environment that empowers employees to become financially self-sufficient. Brothers Keepers Hope Improvement offers services including home remodeling and repair, landscaping, car detailing and commercial cleaning services. Brothers' Keepers has recently expanded its services to include effective and innovative bedbug removal.

About Resources for Human Development
Resources for Human Development is a comprehensive human services organization based in Philadelphia, Pa. Its mission is to empower the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society as they build the highest level of independence possible. RHD oversees and supports more than 160 locally managed programs in 13 states. These innovative and effective programs specialize in helping people who have mental illnesses or developmental disabilities, homeless individuals and families, people rejoining society after incarceration, and people with histories of substance abuse so that they may all build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.

Resources For Human Development

Resources For Human Development

RHD is a 165m corporation operating in 12 states with 3800 employees. It also owns a number of for profit corporations and a venture fund.

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