Beacon Industries:

RAE's Newest Program!

Access to adequate employment is one of the greatest obstacles to successful reentry faced by exonerees and formerly incarcerated individuals. The two main reasons for this are: (1) many lack marketable skills or experience, and (2) employers are often unwilling to hire someone who has served time in prison, regardless of innocence.  

RAE is committed to the establishment of an exoneree-run business that will deal with these recurring issues by hiring and training exonerees and the formerly incarcerated, giving these men experience to establish their own businesses or be hired elsewhere with the trade skills they acquire.  

The strongest business model that will fulfill our aims is a screen-printing business, to be called Beacon Industries. Beacon Industries will be based in the RAE Center, located at 1212 St. Bernard St. in New Orleans' Treme neighborhood.

Screen-printing is an industry that has a record of hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, making it an especially desirable industry in which to develop a hands-on job training program. RAE's training program will combine expert oversight, practical experience, and access to holistic, wraparound services for exoneree participants with an emphasis on physical and mental health.

A successful business venture will not only change our clients and our community for the better, but it will also help RAE become self-sufficient and less reliant on one-time funding to support exoneree needs. Finally, Beacon Industries will be poised to take advantage of New Orleans' tourist trade as well as cater to the needs of the local population. 

To donate pro-bono legal services or funds, contact Tina Wexler at (504) 943-1902 ex. 24 or email here.