His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, and the Archdiocese of New York have partnered with Thrive For Life Prison Project, Inc. to expand re-entry support of formerly incarcerated New Yorkers who are continuing the good work of college education after their release from prison by arranging for a new residence in Manhattan for the program.

Cardinal Dolan’s generous support and collaboration will seed the growth of Thrive For Life’s innovative re-entry model—the Ignacio House of Studies. Ignacio House began in 2019 as a transitional supportive learning community in the Bronx for up to 15 returning citizens on scholarship at one of eight partnering universities. Resident scholars have access to a suite of holistic services like case management, employment placement assistance, and support with transitions to permanent, affordable housing. This continuity of care virtually ensures resident scholars have the stability to complete their degrees, experience economic mobility, and achieve their career goals, thus breaking cycles of chronic poverty, crime, and recidivism.

The new space provided by His Eminence will increase Thrive For Life’s capacity to serve more formerly incarcerated students continuing their studies upon release. Thanks to the partnership, Thrive For Life will expand its house of studies to Manhattan where it will take up operations in a former rectory located in Manhattan. “This new residence comes at an opportune time,” said Jesuit Father Zachariah Presutti, SJ, Founder and Executive Director of Thrive For Life. “With the federal reinstatement of Pell grants and need-based tuition assistance programs for inmates and released people, New York has an extraordinary opportunity to transform lives and communities. In cultivating the talents of justice-involved people, we also reduce homelessness, unemployment, poverty, and crime. Ignacio House is a catalyst for this transformation, and we are excited to accompany more people on trajectories to life-long success.” The expansion to Manhattan paves the way for continued nationwide expansion, as Thrive For Life prepares to open houses of study in Queens, New Orleans, St. Louis, Washington DC, and Milwaukee.

Established in Manhattan in 2017, Thrive For Life’s mission is to transform lives beyond prison walls. In 2019 we opened Ignacio House of Studies in the Bronx—the nation’s first transitional supportive living community for formerly incarcerated students who are continuing the good work of education that they began during incarceration. To facilitate positive reentry experiences and propel scholars toward success, Ignacio House offers stable accommodation in a community of motivated peers, along with a suite of holistic services ranging from case management to employment placement assistance.