Nearly one in six transgender Americans, and one in two black transgender people, have been to prison. During incarceration, transgender people are often targets of discrimination, physical assault, and emotional abuse. Stories such as Ashley Diamond’s lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Corrections for failing to protect her while incarcerated happen more frequently than what is being reported.
The transgender prison crisis is one part of a larger pattern of violence and discrimination that disproportionately impacts people of color, low-income people, and transgender Americans. As transgender people are returning home from prison, we want to be a safe place where they can focus on re-entry and rebuilding their lives through job training and social support.
Meet Crystal Orman
Before coming to RecycleForce, Crystal was homeless. Now, after almost two months of working at RecycleForce, she works in the HVAC area taking air conditioners apart. “RecycleForce has helped me get my life straightened up,” she said. “Now I have a job, I can pay bills, I can even get food at my place.”
“It’s a good place to work. We are all family here and we take care of each other. And if we see someone struggle in their life, we help. We talk about it, we help others to stay strong and they help us do the same.”
“The one thing I know about RecycleForce is we have each other’s back. It does not matter if you are black or white, we are all family. We stand together and help each other no matter what’s going on. And RecycleForce helps you get back on your feet, no matter what they do. They have our backs and never give up on us. They show us the right path to take, down the road.”
Meet Leshanna Young
Working at RecycleForce is Leshanna’s first job. She’s been here for a month and a half, learning new skills and job training.
“RecycleForce helped me with learning how to work with other people. It helped me respect other people that have come out of prison who are trying to better their minds and themselves. Being a transgender, when I came here I wondered if I would be the only transgender here. It can be a little rough being the only one. But to come here and see someone who is the same as you going through the same problems as you, it’s nice because now you can help each other out.”
“Everybody has a different experience here, even if they’re not transgender, because everybody has something different going on in their lives. I haven’t had any problems, I actually have a lot of friends here. I show you respect, and they show me respect. I feel great that everybody here respects me. Here at RecycleForce and Keys2Work, we respect all – no matter what gender or color your skin is.”