Delaware Public Media Highlights JFS’ Partnership with Branches to Chances

Delaware Public Media recently did a feature on the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s ‘Branches to Chances’ program, which introduces the formerly incarcerated, homeless, or unemployed to horticulture while working towards job placement and building work-life skills. DPM’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Branches to Chances Coordinators Robert Harris and Bonnie Swan to learn more about the Center’s reentry program and this year’s graduation class. Click here to listen to the interview.

Bonnie talks about the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s partnership with Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) at the 3:40 mark of the interview. JFS partners with the Center to do two therapy groups a year with the members of Branches to Chances to help them with conflict resolution, discuss trauma and it’s impact, communication, and relationship styles. We then follow through with the cohort to do case management. In that role, we are working to help find housing, substance abuse treatment, eliminate risk factors, boost protective factors, and have an overarching goal of reducing recidivism and keeping the clients in the program.