Programs for adolescents and adults – Baltimore, Maryland

Power/Excel was founded to conduct programs for middle and high school youth to support them in fully developing skills to achieve academically and enhance their desire to graduate with a high school diploma.  In 1999 our target population began expanding to include youth and adults seeking successful re-entry to their communities following a period of incarceration.  Currently we have two major tracks for our prison programs: cognitive behavioral intervention emphasizing pro-social communication, conflict resolution and wealth accumulation; and The Comprehensive Re-entry Training Program for Adults which combines cognitive intervention, career readiness, and coaching groups for support and reinforcement.
Since May, 2001, we have served over 900 individuals both inside of the prisons and within community-based organizations assisting them in making a successful re-entry to their communities.

Some of our recent accomplishments in re-entry are:

• 2005 – Graduated 40 participants at Christopher Place Employment Academy; 100% attained employment
• 2006 - Conducted pre-employment readiness classes for ex-offenders under a grant-based program – Exceeded our goal of 50% and graduated 130 (78%). 103 were referred for employment. 
• 2006 – Received preliminary results of a study by Johns Hopkins University on the Power/Excel cognitive intervention program at Baltimore Pre-release Unit for Women (2001 -2006) Results indicated that participants were recidivating at a rate nearly 20% below the national average.