About Us
At JAB 5000 Inc, we believe that every young person deserves a path toward a successful future, regardless of the obstacles they face today. Founded on the principles of restorative justice and community support, our mission is to provide the guidance, resources, and advocacy necessary to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
By partnering with families, schools, and the courts, JAB 5000 Inc. is committed to reducing recidivism and ensuring that a single mistake doesn't define a lifetime. We are here to listen, to lead, and to help our youth rewrite their stories. At JAB 5000 INC., we believe true freedom begins long after release. Discover what drives our commitment to transforming lives and communities for those re-entering society in Yonkers, New York.
Our Roots at Mercy University Our journey began at Mercy University (then Mercy College), where our program was first conceived and launched. From the very beginning, the response was overwhelming—students and community members recognized the need and signed up in Jean-high numbers. While our vision was clear, we initially faced the challenge of limited funding, which paused our full-scale rollout. Today, we are returning to those roots with more strength than ever. We are proud to have a Board of Directors and Advisory Committee comprised of distinguished Mercy alumni who were there at the start.
Their leadership ensures that the mission we began at Mercy years ago finally receives the resources and reach it deserves. Including a "Recidivism Impact" section is the "business" side of your mission. It explains to Mercy University, the DOC, and potential donors exactly why your work matters for New York. It moves the conversation from "we help people" to "we are improving public safety and the economy."
Breaking the 'revolving door' of re-entry
Our founders were inspired by a critical realization: release isn't freedom. Observing individuals leave facilities with little more than a $40 gate fee and a bus ticket, expected to navigate one of the world's most expensive cities, highlighted a profound gap. We understood that without a crucial 'bridge' within the first 72 hours, the pressure of survival often forces individuals back into familiar, unconstructive patterns.
Our main goal at JAB 5000 is holistic stability, going beyond just securing a job. We focus on restoring identity – shifting from 'inmate' to 'employee,' 'parent,' and 'neighbor' – eliminating administrative barriers and building a strong community safety net. Success, for us, is generational change: empowering individuals to provide for their children, thereby breaking the cycle of justice involvement for future generations.
Our closed-loop system: continuous support
What sets JAB 5000 apart is our unique 'Closed-Loop Model,' ensuring Court-to-Community Continuity. Unlike programs that address only one aspect of re-entry, we maintain digital hand-offs between courthouses (e.g., White Plains to Yonkers), ensuring your progress follows you. We prioritize the 'First 72' hours post-release, providing immediate survival kits including pre-loaded Metrocards, burner phones, and a bridge to stable housing.
Crucially, our Credible Messenger Mentorship pairs participants with individuals who have walked similar paths, offering 'street-level' navigation beyond traditional social work. We offer paid transitional jobs to close the 'no income' gap, digital literacy bootcamps to bridge the 'technology gap,' trauma-informed therapy for the 'mental health gap,' and legal record sealing to overcome the 'background check gap.' Our '5000-Day Vision' aims to set a trajectory for long-term success: stabilize, skill up, secure, and sustain a life you don't want to lose.
Defining success: personal restoration & community strength
For individuals, success at JAB 5000 begins with 'Personal Restoration': securing safe housing, ID, and a phone within the 'First 72' hours, experiencing an identity shift from 'case number' to 'mentor,' and achieving self-sufficiency through legal employment. For the community, success means 'Community Strengthening' and ending the revolving door. Lower recidivism creates safer neighborhoods and fosters economic growth as returning citizens become taxpayers and consumers.
One of our greatest triumphs is healing families, seeing parents reunite with their children, thereby breaking generational cycles of justice involvement. Our '5000' Vision culminates in creating leaders: individuals who, after stabilization and integration, become 'Credible Messengers,' inspiring others in Yonkers and other county courts. We envision a County where a person’s past doesn’t permanently disqualify their future, transforming the justice system into a supportive justice network that invests in everyone's future.
"JAB 5000 didn't just give me a second chance; they helped me build a foundation for a life I never thought possible. Their support from day one, especially with the immediate needs and mentorship, was truly life-changing. I'm now a proud father and contributing member of my community."
A grateful participant