Applying to the Human Fund!

We have recently applied to the Human Fund to subsidize our new program, “Back to Work: Professional Writing Workshop”, which provides additional writing and interviewing skills for incarcerated inmates.

The Human fund was a perfect fit to partner for this program. Because, like the individuals we aim to help, philanthropist and founder, George Costanza had not always taken the righteous path in life. In May 1998, Mr. Costanza was prosecuted for breaking the “Good Samaritan Law”. After this event, George turned around his life and became dedicated to helping other convicted felons receive a second chance at life after prison.

We are proposing a grant for $5,000 dollars. This money will be used to cover laptops, textbooks, a printer, and other writing supplies. We are expecting to hear back at the end of July, Fingers Crossed! As soon as we get notification, we will let all of you loyal followers know the details.

George Costanza
Founder and Philantropist of the Human Fund 

The Revolving-Door

Each year over a half a million people are released from state and federal prisons. Many of these individuals have not completed higher level education and do not possess necessary writing skills for most jobs. This is where we get the Revolving-Door. Unable to support themselves by conventional means, these individuals will commit new crimes or violate their parole. Now where are they? Back in the prison system, via the Revolving-Door.

These individuals become to feel trapped in the Revolving-Door, feeling as though that they have no other choice but to turn to crime. Our program is designed to eliminate those thoughts and hopefully the Revolving-Door in general. Our participants have a large range of needs as they leave the correctional facility.

We aren't just talking about getting them jobs, but finding them a place to live and also helping them deal with any alcohol or drug problems. If the system that is in place now is the Revolving-Door than we want to be known as the escalator. We will support our participants, but we need them to take a few steps as well.

Here at English 304 Community Education we take our jobs very seriously. This is more than teaching our participants writing skills. This is more than a six week program. This about changing their lives forever and providing them with the means to support themselves. Our guidance does not end when they leave our program, we continue to follow them as they reintegrate themselves into the real-world. We also urge our participants to stay in contact with us, here on the site.

Prison systems soak up billions of dollars in taxpayers money. Lowering recidivism rates will not only decrease the amount of crimes, but it will also save states' money that can be put toward schools and the community. We have to realize that this isn't an isolated problem affecting a small population. This is hurting the nation as a whole and in a time of economic depression, this is not a problem that we can afford.

Our program seeks to lower recidivism by creating meaningful skills, and establishing a work ethic in our participants.

Introducing our newest program!

We are very happy to introduce you to our newest endeavor here at English 304 Community Education: Back to Work: Professional Writing Workshop! We will be submitting a grant proposal to the Human Fund in order to start a resume and cover letter workshop at FCI Morgantown, a minimum security prison in town. The program,designed to reduce re-incarceration rates by providing inmates with the skills they need to get jobs after being released from prison. The workshop will be taught by Dr. Robert Reibold, and classes are scheduled to begin on August 1.


Back to Work: Professional Writing Workshop will offer inmates useful job-finding skills as well as providing them with the knowledge of creating the various documents necessary for obtaining employment. These skills are important because research has shown that offenders who get a job after they are released from prison have a much lower rate of re-offending. This means better, more productive, lives for them and lower taxes for us!


For more information on Back to Work: Professional Writing Workshop, or if you would like to get involved with English 304 Community Education by donating or helping with our programs, please contact us at English304@gmail.com. We are a non-profit organization and we are always looking volunteers!