New Chances: Support for Justice-Impacted Students

Associated Ministries — Coordinated Entry
Connects people experiencing homelessness or housing instability with Pierce County’s Coordinated Entry system, the first step for accessing many local housing resources. Eligible households may be scheduled for an appointment or connected with available housing programs.
Best for: homelessness support, housing navigation, Coordinated Entry access.
https://associatedministries.org/supportive-services/coordinated-entry/

CJK Community Homes
Provides safe, affordable housing and supportive case management services for low-income Pierce County residents. Services may include housing support, financial literacy, vocational training connections, mental health support, and life-skills support.
Best for: affordable housing with supportive services.
https://cjkcommunityhomes.org/

Metropolitan Development Council — Housing
Offers affordable rental housing and supportive housing programs in Pierce County, including single-family homes, duplexes, shared housing, and multi-family units for eligible low-income residents.
Best for: affordable rental housing and supportive housing programs.
https://mdc-hope.org/housing/

DSHS — Housing and Essential Needs Referral Program
A Washington State referral program for eligible adults who are unable to work for at least 90 days due to a physical or mental incapacity. Depending on eligibility and local availability, HEN may help connect people with essential needs, transportation support, case management, and possible rent or utility assistance.
Best for: people who may qualify for HEN due to a temporary disability or incapacity.
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/housing-and-essential-needs-referral-program

AffordableHousing.com
A searchable website for affordable apartments, houses, townhomes, Section 8 rentals, and housing authority waiting list information. Users can search listings by location, rent, size, and other filters.
Best for: searching current affordable rental listings.
https://www.affordablehousing.com/ 

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WorkSource Pierce — Justice-Impacted Individuals
Provides free employment support for justice-impacted job seekers in Pierce County. Services may include help with resumes, interviews, job search, career planning, workshops, job fairs, and talking with employers about background history.
Best for: local job search support, resumes, interviews, workshops, and fair-chance employment.
https://worksource-pierce.org/jobseekers/justice-impacted/

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Resources
Offers national reentry employment resources for people returning to work after incarceration. The site connects job seekers with information about American Job Centers, training, federal bonding, employer incentives, and other employment programs.
Best for: national reentry employment information, job center connections, and workforce programs.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry/resources

Adonai Counseling & Employment
Provides re-entry-focused counseling and employment-related services. Contact the organization directly to confirm current services, eligibility, and appointment availability.
Best for: counseling, employment support, and re-entry services.
https://adonaicounseling.wixsite.com/services/re-entry-services 

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Civil Survival
Provides legal information, advocacy, and support for people impacted by the criminal legal system. Services may include help understanding record vacation, legal financial obligations, occupational licensing barriers, and other re-entry-related legal issues.
Best for: criminal record questions, legal financial obligations, re-entry legal barriers, and advocacy.
https://civilsurvival.org/ 

Living with Conviction
Supports people impacted by incarceration and the legal system through advocacy, community resources, and help navigating legal financial obligations and other conviction-related barriers.
Best for: legal financial obligation support, conviction-related barriers, and re-entry advocacy.
https://livingwithconviction.org/get-help 

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Tacoma Pro Bono Community Lawyers
Provides free civil legal help for people who cannot afford an attorney. Support may include guidance on family law, custody, parenting plans, housing, debt, and other non-criminal legal issues.
Best for: family law questions, custody or parenting plan issues, civil legal help, and referrals.
https://tacomaprobono.org/

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TCC Access Services
Supports students with disabilities by helping identify access barriers and coordinate reasonable accommodations and support services for college-level learning.
Best for: disability accommodations, access support, and student success planning.
https://www.tacomacc.edu/academics-programs/academic-support/access-services/index.aspx

TCC Counseling
Provides confidential counseling support for TCC students who want help with personal concerns, stress, emotional wellness, or challenges that may affect school and daily life.
Best for: emotional wellness, stress support, personal counseling, and student mental health.
https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/life-resources/counseling 

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TCC Pathways
Helps students explore TCC’s academic pathways, programs, degrees, and certificates. This is a good starting point for choosing a program that connects with your interests, goals, and career plans.
Best for: exploring TCC programs, degrees, certificates, and career options.
https://www.tacomacc.edu/academics-programs/your-tcc-path/index.aspx

Husky Post Prison Pathways — UW Tacoma
Supports formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted students as they pursue higher education and build community at the University of Washington Tacoma. The program offers mentorship, academic support, re-entry support, and pathways toward degree completion and career goals.
Best for: justice-impacted students interested in UW Tacoma, transfer pathways, mentorship, and continued education after TCC.
https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/hp3

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Native American Reentry Services
Provides culturally rooted re-entry, healing, wellness, and community support for Native people and others returning from incarceration.
Best for: culturally specific re-entry support, Native community connection, wellness, and healing resources.
https://www.nativereentry.org/

The Tacoma Urban League
Supports African American and underserved communities in the South Puget Sound through programs and advocacy focused on education, economic empowerment, health, housing, and justice.
Best for: community advocacy, empowerment programs, education, housing, and economic support.
https://www.thetacomaurbanleague.org/

The Change Program
Supports justice-involved men and women of color through trauma-informed care, peer coaching, mentorship, wraparound services, housing and employment support, family reconnection, and long-term community support.
Best for: peer support, mentorship, re-entry coaching, housing, employment, and family reconnection.
https://thechangeprogram.com/

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Just Threads Clothing Bank
Provides clothing support for people facing barriers connected to re-entry, employment, court involvement, and basic needs.
Best for: interview clothing, work clothing, everyday clothing, and basic apparel needs.
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/5704/Just-Threads-Clothing-Bank

The House of Matthew
Provides clothing, furniture, household goods, and supportive resources for people and families in need, including people experiencing homelessness, re-entry, domestic violence, or other life challenges.
Best for: clothing, household goods, furniture, and basic needs support.
https://thehouseofmatthew.org/

St. Francis House
Provides free clothing and household items for individuals and families experiencing hardship. Services may include clothing, shoes, coats, bedding, dishes, small appliances, and other basic items.
Best for: clothing, household basics, coats, shoes, and family support.
https://puyallupfrancishouse.org/our-programs/clothing-bank/

Fircrest United Methodist Church
Offers a clothing closet for people in need, with clothing available in a variety of sizes. The site also provides information about requesting clothing support.
Best for: free clothing and local basic needs support.
https://www.fircrestchristian.org/get-help

Pat’s Closet
Provides donated clothing and basic items to community members in need through Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tacoma.
Best for: free clothing and neighborhood-based support.
https://www.pc2online.org/Resources/Details/568

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