Jubilee Home Provides Housing and Resources for Women Transitioning from Incarceration
NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina First Lady Anna Stein joined officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday to celebrate the opening of Jubilee Home, a new reentry facility dedicated to supporting women as they transition back into their communities following incarceration.
The Durham-based center will provide comprehensive services including mental health counseling, housing assistance, employment support, and other critical resources designed to improve outcomes for justice-involved women.
Addressing Reentry Challenges
“People reentering their communities following incarceration face unbelievable challenges, including access to resources,” First Lady Stein said during the celebration. “Reentry programs like Jubilee Home help people get on their feet by connecting people to housing, transportation, employment, and substance use or mental health counseling and by showing returning residents that they belong.”
The facility is one of 11 organizations awarded funding through NCDHHS as part of a broader initiative to strengthen services for adults involved in the justice system who have mental health needs, substance use disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries.
Supporting Successful Transitions
Jubilee Home can accommodate up to four residents at a time and features a full-time, on-site Peer Navigator team. Peer Navigators are individuals with prior justice system experience who use their knowledge to guide successful reentry. The home includes a common kitchen, living area, dining room, and outdoor space designed to create a welcoming environment.
“We want our clients to feel like this is their home,” said Anna Banke, Director of Wellness Initiatives for Jubilee Home. “Offering low-barrier housing and fostering a sense of belonging for justice-involved people transitioning back to society is a crucial part of setting them up to flourish.”
Residents may stay up to 12 months and are required to pay a modest monthly room fee when earning income. They participate in weekly check-ins with Peer Navigators to address individualized goals such as pursuing education, finding employment, or receiving treatment for substance use or health issues.
Comprehensive Programming and Support
The facility offers onsite wellness programming two to three nights per week, covering topics including financial literacy, relationships, meditation and mindfulness, recovery skills, and self-care.
“Ensuring people have the support they need when they are released from incarceration is critical for their long-term success,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We are grateful for these partnerships across the state as we work to increase the number of reentry supports available and work to keep people from cycling back into the justice system.”
Part of Statewide Effort
Of the 11 funded organizations, four will focus on diversion programs that help connect people to community resources and treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Others, like Jubilee Home, concentrate on reentry support. NCDHHS currently supports more than 50 reentry and diversion programs across North Carolina.
“Reducing the number of people who cycle through the justice system requires connection, care, and community-based support,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “Jubilee Women’s Home is an exciting new resource that is part of a larger, statewide effort to provide people with the tools and services they need – like counseling, housing, and employment support – to successfully transition back into their communities and build more stable, healthy lives.”
NCDHHS remains committed to expanding services for reentry, diversion, and capacity restoration while advancing access to high-quality mental health care for all North Carolinians.
