Ex-offenders gain economic stability by owning a small business

With support and guidance, self-employment can be a phenomenal economic opportunity. Especially for ex-offenders. They're often shut out of economic prosperity because of their time in prison. Employers often refuse to hire them. Some ex-offenders lose hope. Some return to the criminal lifestyle that landed them in prison in the first place.

Dallas Leadership Foundation's Church Prison Collaborative seeks to break this cycle of rejection and recidivism by encouraging ex-offenders to become entrepreneurs. Flourishing small businesses crush the idea that the previously incarcerated must rely on an employment line alone after prison to gain economic stability. Owning a business offers a leadership opportunity that can transform the lives of ex-offenders and their families for generations.

From left to right: Michael Cox, Chruch Prison Collaborative Director James Reed and Euless Skinner.

Michael Cox, who was previously incarcerated, has successfully opened a business. He credits the Jesus-centric training he received from Dallas Leadership Foundation's CPC program for helping him on his personal journey.

 'The faith-based dorm was my building block for where I am today," Cox says in a DLF video. "I met everyone at DLF and they supported me upon my release. I went to the Onesimus House, and I learned so much there."

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