Adult Programs

Keys to Love Supportive Housing Recovery Program

Keys to Love is a supportive housing recovery program for men who are returning citizens in recovery from substance use disorders. The program addresses the needs of these men with safe and substance-free housing, wrap-around support, life coaching, peer support, and links to education, employment, healthcare, and other services. The program is recovery-oriented and focuses on homelessness prevention, reentry, and hard-to-reach adults. Keys to Love is part of Uhuru's family-centered approach to keeping families connected and supporting the broader community.

Keys to Love Supportive Housing Program – Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for residency in the Keys to Love Supportive Housing Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Justice-Involved Individuals – Must be returning from incarceration, on probation/parole, or involved in a reentry program.

2. Commitment to Recovery & Stability – Residents must be actively engaged in their recovery journey and committed to maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle.

3. Referral Requirement – Applicants must be referred by a partnering organization, such as the courts, probation/parole, a reentry service provider, or a substance abuse program.

4. Willingness to Engage in Supportive Services – Residents must participate in case management, life skills training, workforce development, or other wraparound services.

5. Ability to Contribute to Program Fees – Must demonstrate financial responsibility by contributing to housing costs, either through employment, benefits, or other income sources.

6. Respect for a Peer-Led, Democratically Run Community – Residents must adhere to house rules, participate in meetings, and contribute to a positive living environment.

7. Age Requirement – Must be 18 years or older.

8. Location-Based Eligibility – Preference may be given to individuals reentering the Charlottesville area.

Pathways to Success

Pathways to Success partners The Uhuru Foundation, UVA Pipelines and Pathways, Home to Hope, and The One Stop Shop. Pathways to Success is a training program that prepares participants with the skills they need to get a job and jump-start their career. The program is designed specifically for individuals with former justice system involvement, providing an authentic learning experience in a supportive environment. The program consists of six, two-hour long training sessions that will be held weekly from mid-February to mid-March. Individuals can choose to attend either the morning cohort (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) or the evening cohort (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM). Participants must commit to attending all six training sessions.

Digital Readiness Initiative: A Partnership with Grow with Google

The Uhuru Foundation’s Digital Readiness Initiative, in partnership with Grow with Google, equips returning citizens with essential digital skills to support their reentry journey. This program provides hands-on training in computer proficiency, online safety, job search strategies, professional communication, and productivity tools like Google Docs and Sheets. By leveraging Grow with Google’s resources, Uhuru ensures that program participants gain the confidence and technical expertise needed to access employment, education, and essential services, fostering long-term stability and success.

Wrap-Around Services

The Uhuru Foundation allocates some of its budget to fund a variety of Wrap-Around Services to take away as many barriers to success as possible for the youth and adults enrolled in its programs. Wrap-Around Services include: intensive life coaching; restitution; legal fees; drivers licenses; and other basic needs such as meals and professional clothing. Remaining nimble enough to help with whatever is needed is central to the Uhuru Foundation’s ability to equip central Virginia youth and adults with what they need to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.

Youth Programs

The Uhuru Foundation works with moderate to high-risk youth through re-entry programs at youth detention centers.

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Program
Justice-involved youth enrolled in The Uhuru Foundation’s services have the opportunity to participate in weekly culturally relevant and trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) groups through our transformative mentoring program. HWW guides high-risk youth ages 14-21 through a series of facilitated group sessions addressing decision-making, identity, overcoming pain and trauma, life skills development, financial literacy and social entrepreneurship. 

The Transformative Futures Program

The Transformative Futures Program partners the Uhuru Foundation, The Legal Aid Justice Center’s Youth Justice Program, Nolef Turns, and Not Me – I Believe to offer system-involved youth a holistic re-entry program. It empowers youth with education, advocacy skills, and financial support to become future leaders. Building on mentoring at Blue Ridge Youth Detention Center, the program formalizes a curriculum teaching leadership, organizing, and civic engagement. It ensures continuity of services from detention to re-entry, with support for completing the curriculum if released early. This includes scheduling remaining training, providing transportation, and securing accessible meeting spaces. Upon completion, participants will collaborate with partners to create a capstone project focusing on civic engagement, organizing, or mentorship. They will receive a stipend to cover fines, fees, and restitution, and gain access to paid employment opportunities in related fields to continue their transformative work in the community.