Every person deserves a second chance. But for many women returning home from incarceration, rebuilding a life from scratch isn’t just difficult — it can feel impossible.
This is where Let’s Build Up steps in. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, this inspiring nonprofit organization is doing more than just offering help — they’re offering hope, opportunity, and a real path forward.
In this article, we’ll explore how Let’s Build Up is transforming lives through affordable housing, career training, financial literacy, and personal empowerment — all while uplifting communities in the process.
Why Formerly Incarcerated Women Need More Than Just Freedom
Imagine this: You’ve served your time. You’re ready to move forward. But when you walk out of prison, you have no home, no income, and a criminal record that closes doors before you can even knock.
This is the reality for thousands of formerly incarcerated women across the United States.
Many of these women are:
- Mothers
- Survivors of trauma or domestic abuse
- Eager to work and rebuild their lives
But the barriers they face are steep: - Lack of affordable housing
- Limited access to good jobs
- Stigma from employers and landlords
- Low financial literacy
- No credit history
These challenges don’t just affect individuals — they ripple out into families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. That’s why reentry support isn’t just a personal issue — it’s a public responsibility.
How Let’s Build Up Makes a Difference
Founded with the belief that everyone deserves a stable foundation, Let’s Build Up offers a powerful solution: affordable housing and workforce development tailored to women reentering society.
Here’s how they do it.
1. Affordable Housing That Builds Ownership
Let’s Build Up doesn’t just help women find a place to live — they help them build a path toward homeownership.
Through their affordable housing program, they:
- Purchase and renovate homes in under-resourced communities
- Offer affordable rents to participants who are rebuilding their lives
- Provide a pathway to homeownership, allowing women to eventually own the homes they live in
Real-Life Story: From Shelter to Homeowner
Take Maria, for example (name changed for privacy). After serving a five-year sentence, she was living in a transitional shelter with no idea where to go next. Through Let’s Build Up, she moved into an affordable home, began job training, and started building her credit. Three years later, Maria was the proud owner of her own home — something she never thought possible.
This kind of transformation doesn’t happen overnight — but with the right support, it does happen.
2. Workforce Development That Empowers
Employment after incarceration is one of the hardest hurdles women face. But Let’s Build Up believes in training for more than just a job — they aim to equip women for sustainable careers.
Their workforce development program includes:
- Hands-on training in real estate and property management
- Financial education and budgeting workshops
- Mentorship from professionals in construction, real estate, and business
- Support for entrepreneurship and self-employment
These programs give women the tools they need to earn a living wage, build wealth, and become leaders in their communities.
3. Financial Literacy That Creates Stability
Money management is often overlooked in reentry programs — but Let’s Build Up makes it a priority.
Participants learn to:
- Create and follow a budget
- Understand credit and debt
- Open and manage bank accounts
- Plan for long-term financial goals
These financial literacy skills are essential for breaking cycles of poverty and incarceration. When women understand their finances, they gain control over their future.
4. Healing and Community Support
Let’s Build Up isn’t just about housing and jobs — it’s about healing, dignity, and belonging.
Through peer support, coaching, and community partnerships, they help women:
- Rebuild self-worth
- Reconnect with family
- Become part of a supportive sisterhood
This community-first approach creates a sense of accountability and encouragement that makes all the difference.
Step-by-Step: How Women Rebuild with Let’s Build Up
Here’s a step-by-step look at how Let’s Build Up supports women on their journey:
Step 1: Connection
Women are referred to Let’s Build Up through:
- Reentry programs
- Social workers
- Correctional facilities
- Community organizations
They go through an intake process to identify needs, goals, and eligibility.
Step 2: Stable Housing
If accepted into the program, women are placed in affordable, renovated homes owned or managed by Let’s Build Up.
This provides immediate stability — a safe place to call home.
Step 3: Personal Development
Participants begin:
- Job training and workforce development
- Financial literacy courses
- Life skills workshops
Each woman has a personalized plan with short-term and long-term goals.
Step 4: Earning and Saving
With support, women find employment opportunities, start earning income, and begin building savings.
They also get help with:
- Building or repairing credit
- Opening bank accounts
- Avoiding predatory financial practices
Step 5: Ownership and Leadership
As they grow financially and professionally, women may:
- Transition into homeownership
- Start businesses
- Mentor new participants
Many graduates become leaders in their neighborhoods — proof that true empowerment multiplies.
Why Affordable Housing Matters So Much
It’s hard to focus on healing or growth when you’re worried about where you’ll sleep at night.
That’s why affordable housing is a foundation for everything else. It provides:
- Stability
- Security
- Dignity
And by helping women own homes rather than just rent, Let’s Build Up is actively building generational wealth — something that’s often denied to justice-impacted communities.
What Makes Let’s Build Up Unique?
There are many reentry organizations, but Let’s Build Up stands out for a few key reasons:
They focus specifically on women
Women have different reentry needs than men — especially around family reunification, trauma recovery, and housing. Let’s Build Up is trauma-informed and woman-centered in everything they do.
They integrate housing with career growth
Most organizations focus on either housing or employment. Let’s Build Up combines both, creating a holistic path to independence.
They promote ownership, not dependency
The goal isn’t just to help — it’s to equip women to help themselves, their families, and their communities. The emphasis on homeownership and entrepreneurship is both rare and revolutionary.
How You Can Support Let’s Build Up
Even if you’re not in New Haven, you can still be part of this movement.
Here’s how:
Donate
Every dollar goes directly toward housing, training, and support for women rebuilding their lives.
Donate here »
Partner
Are you part of a business, nonprofit, or school? Partnerships make their work possible — from training opportunities to housing renovations.
Volunteer
Whether you can swing a hammer or teach a budgeting class, your time can make a big impact.
Spread the Word
Share their mission on social media. Tell your friends. The more people who know, the more women they can help.
A Final Word: Building More Than Homes
Let’s Build Up isn’t just about rebuilding homes — it’s about rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and reimagining what’s possible after incarceration.
It’s about showing women that they are more than their past, and that they have the power to own their future.
So the next time you hear someone say, “They should have thought of that before they went to prison,” remember this:
Everyone makes mistakes. But not everyone gets a second chance.
Thanks to Let’s Build Up, more women do.