Halim A. Flowers Center will be a beacon of hope near Chicago Midway International Airport. 

Halim A. Flowers Center, located near Chicago Midway International Airport, is an affordable housing development dedicated to providing hope and opportunities. Named after Halim Flowers, a former juvenile inmate turned successful author, poet, and visual artist, the center aims to inspire through his story of resilience and transformation. 

Halim Flowers' journey from wrongful incarceration as a teenager to becoming a prominent criminal justice reform advocate underscores the center's mission. Convicted at 16 under the accomplice liability doctrine for felony murder, he served 22 years before his release. His experience highlights the potential for personal growth and the importance of justice reform.

During his time in prison, Flowers made significant strides in education and mentorship. He enrolled in the Georgetown Prison And Justice Initiative, earning credits as a student at Georgetown University. He also served as a mentor in the Young Men Emerging unit, a carceral community for young adults under 25, promoting a therapeutic corrections culture.

Released on March 21, 2019, after over two decades behind bars, Flowers continues to advocate for criminal justice reform. His story is a powerful testament to the possibility of personal transformation and societal change, embodying the core values and mission of the Halim A. Flowers Center.

The G Carter Group and P3 Markets of Chicago will construct the Halim A. Flowers Center on 4829 South Kedzie Avenue. This $28 million affordable housing development includes transitional housing, rental apartments, and single-family homes, and aims to be a model for re-entry housing nationwide. 

Spearheaded by local real estate firms, the project is designed to assist former prisoners in their transition back into society, offering essential social services, particularly for women re-entering the community. Located near Chicago Midway International Airport, the center will significantly impact Chicago's South Side by providing much-needed housing and support.

So what does Halim A. Flowers Center offer to Chicagoans?

Why is the Halim A. Flowers Center significant for Chicago?

The Halim A Flowers Center will offer more than housing affordability. It will also provide social assistance to help ex-offenders, particularly women, in getting back on their feet and moving toward homeownership. Programs include employment counseling, job placement, and financial management assistance.

Address Recidivism

According to the Bureau of Justice, 66% of prisoners released in 2008 across 24 states were arrested within three years, and 82% within ten years. The developers of the Halim A. Flowers Center aim to reduce this recidivism rate to around 20% in Illinois through their new project.

The Halim A. Flowers Center seeks to address high recidivism rates by providing a stable environment and essential resources for former inmates to reintegrate into society. Inspired by a successful model in Colorado by the Second Chance Center, Inc., the developers hope to significantly lower the recidivism rate in Illinois with their comprehensive support approach.

Community and Economic Development

The $28 million Halim A. Flowers Center project aims to provide housing stability and foster community growth, benefiting the local economy by supporting individuals who might otherwise struggle with employment and housing.

Brittini Flatley, founder and CEO of G Carter Group, emphasized that the development will offer both housing and social services to help former inmates, especially women, regain stability and work towards homeownership. She stated, “Our goal is to draw attention to this issue and make an actual impact by redesigning the system to better support minorities and underserved communities upon their release from prison.”

The center will provide employment counseling, job placement services, financial management assistance, and various other programs to support recently incarcerated individuals. Flatley’s vision extends beyond housing, aiming to create a supportive environment where individuals can rebuild their lives and thrive.

Phases of Development in the Halim A. Flowers Center:

The Halim A. Flowers Center project has secured $4 million, covering 15 percent of its costs. This development will be executed in three phases to provide comprehensive housing solutions for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Phase one will construct 50 units for transitional housing, offering immediate, stable living conditions for those recently released from prison. Phase two will involve building rental apartments to provide longer-term housing solutions, ensuring sustained stability for former inmates beyond the initial transitional phase.

In the final phase, the project will develop condominiums and single-family homes to facilitate homeownership. This phase aims to support former inmates in becoming homeowners, fostering a sense of permanence and community belonging, and marking a significant milestone in their reintegration process.

Currently, the project is nearing the end of its fundraising phase, with plans to secure additional funding to kickstart construction.

Conclusion

The Halim A. Flowers Center is designed to be a sustainable and innovative multi-use village, offering much more than just affordable housing. This development aims to provide a holistic environment where recently incarcerated individuals can find the support they need to reintegrate into society successfully.

Beyond housing, the center will be a haven for personal growth and development. It will offer various programs and services, such as employment counseling, job placement assistance, financial management training, and educational opportunities. These resources are intended to equip residents with the skills and confidence needed to rebuild their lives and achieve long-term stability.

The developers envision the Halim A. Flowers Center as a model community that fosters resilience and empowerment. By creating a supportive and nurturing environment, the center aims to reduce recidivism rates and help former inmates become productive, engaged members of society, ultimately benefiting the wider community.

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