How BOSS and Santa Rita Jail Are Building a Pathway to Belonging

bossbayarea
Aug 12
2 min read

At BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency), our mission has always been rooted in disrupting cycles of poverty, incarceration, and housing insecurity. Today, we’re proud to share a vital expansion of that mission through a deepening partnership with Santa Rita Jail, centered on care, continuity, and real second chances.

Every year, thousands of people leave incarceration with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated individuals are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. This instability increases the risk of recidivism, unemployment, and the development of chronic health conditions.

To address this, BOSS is expanding its Warm Handoff (WHO) program within Santa Rita Jail. This pre-release initiative ensures that returning citizens are not released into uncertainty. Instead, they’re met with dignity, support, and a plan.

Our reentry specialists engage with individuals before release, helping them navigate transportation, mental health care, healthcare coordination, housing options, and employment planning—ensuring no one walks out without direction or support.

Housing First, Stability Always

The reality is clear: housing is healthcare and the foundation for all other progress. BOSS’s Rental Assistance (RA) program addresses this need directly, providing temporary rental support and dedicated housing navigation to help returning citizens secure immediate shelter and transition into permanent housing.

This approach is backed by research. A 2021 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition found that stable housing reduces re-arrest rates by up to 40% and dramatically improves employment and health outcomes.

Through our partnership with Santa Rita, we’re aligning this evidence-based strategy with real lives and real solutions.

Workforce Development That Works

Proper reentry services provide individuals with opportunities for security and stability. That’s why our Workforce Development Program is a cornerstone of this collaboration. BOSS offers:

Job readiness workshops on résumé building, interview skills, and workplace etiquette
Industry-recognized certifications in in-demand fields
Connections to apprenticeships and employers who support second-chance hiring
Post-release career coaching and mentorship
Employment is a pathway to purpose, pride, and long-term reintegration. And in a labor market where over 70 million Americans have criminal records, inclusive workforce pipelines are essential to economic equity.

Be Part of the Movement

We invite Alameda County residents, local leaders, funders, and advocates to invest in reentry done right. Support our work, refer individuals in need, and help us dismantle the barriers that keep people cycling through systems instead of thriving beyond them.

Because when we create systems of care, we create safety for everyone.

Sources:

Prison Policy Initiative. (2023). Nowhere to Go: Homelessness among formerly incarcerated people
National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2021). Housing is the Key to Successful Reentry
Urban Institute. (2022). Workforce Development for Returning Citizens: A Path to Equity