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Mentorship & Re-Entry
Guidance, planning, resources and supportive connections for people preparing to return to the community.
Real people. Brighter tomorrows.
Freedom is the beginning. Building a life comes next.
Rising to Freedom Inc. supports individuals and families impacted by incarceration through mentorship, re-entry assistance, essential resources and community connections that create pathways toward stability and independence.
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Essential Support
Connections to food, clothing, transportation, housing resources and other practical needs when available.
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Family & Community
Support and resource navigation for families facing the emotional and practical challenges of incarceration and re-entry.
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Pathways Forward
Employment referrals, advocacy, resource navigation and community connections that support long-term stability.
Our founder's story
Six years of service became a larger mission.
Founder Rosey Bailey Hawes spent more than six years volunteering and mentoring incarcerated individuals across Florida. Through that work, she saw how difficult re-entry can be when someone returns to society without stable housing, transportation, employment resources or a strong support system.
Conversations with her son, Shawn, helped inspire the creation of Rising to Freedom Inc. to turn that firsthand experience into broader community support.
Temporary image shown. Replace with an approved photo of Rosey before launch.
Read Our StoryHow we help
Support built around real barriers to a successful return.
Get Help
Find guidance, practical resources and connections to organizations that may be able to help.
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Get Involved
Volunteer, partner, contribute resources or support the mission financially.
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Transitional Housing Future Initiative
Today we help connect people with available housing resources. Our long-term vision is to establish an in-house transitional housing program.
Learn more →Building a Path Home: Rising to Freedom does not currently operate an in-house transitional residence. We work to connect individuals with housing resources and relationships when possible while developing a future transitional housing initiative.
Together, we create brighter tomorrows.
Your support helps expand mentorship, practical assistance, resource navigation and community connections for individuals and families impacted by incarceration.