FAQs

What are the challenges with reentry?

We know firsthand how hard reentry can be. Here are some statements that you might identify with:

• You're given $200 at the gate, but you must spend $35 for a bus ticket and $65 to leave with your prison clothes.

• You end up at your destination with close to no money. You don't have a place to live when you get out and don't know where to go to get one. If you go to a halfway house, it feels like being in prison again.

• You can't get a job. If you get a job, it pays $12/hr with little chance of earning more money and they treat you like crap.

• Once you get out, the homies hit you up and want to take you out for a good time, but you're on parole. By the way, where were they when you went in? No letters, no money on the books — you start to wonder if they're really your friends.

How does FreeWorld help with reentry?

 We "bear hug" each student that gets accepted into our program with resources and guidance to make sure you are successful.

• Don't have your documents? We will pay to get you your documents.

• Don't have a car? We've recently partnered with Uber to get you where you need to go, free of charge.

• Don't have money? We pay you $1,500 to go to school and front the costs of added expenses.

• Don't have a job? We will train you to get a job in trucking that pays really well and continue to assist you in finding higher-paying jobs for 3 years after graduation.

How does all this work, and when can I start?

​If you like what you see, fill out an application and a FreeWorld team member will contact you to schedule an interview.

• We review your application. If it looks good, we move forward with an interview and let you know on the spot if you're accepted. 

• We will get you your docs. If you already have them all, we move to step 4. 

• We train you to get your permit and give you money upfront to pay for the exams.

• You get your permit. If you like us and want to go to a trucking school, you'll need to sign a Pay It Forward contract (See next section). 

• You go to trucking school. You get $1,500 while in school and take financial literacy and career services classes.

• We get you a job and continue to assist you in finding employment for 5 years to make sure you are successful and stay successful. You are surrounded by a positive community of formerly incarcerated graduates. We help as financial advisors to make sure you stay successful.

Whoa, this sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?

​Once you are successfully employed, you must pay it forward to help the next person go through school. 3 months after you graduate, if you net at least $3,000/month (after taxes and deductions) working in the trucking industry, you will pay $150 a month toward the next student for 24 payments. If you are unemployed or not netting at least $3,000/month, then you don’t make a payment.

I’m not sure I understand.

Example of when you would pay: Tony nets $3,000/month. Because he is making the minimum threshold, he will pay $150 per month toward the next student.   Another example of when you would pay: Jack is netting $5,000/month. Because he is making the minimum threshold, he will also pay $150 per month toward the next student. ‍ Example of when you would not pay: Adam nets $2,999/month. Because Adam has not hit the minimum threshold of $3,000/month, he does not make a payment. ‍ Another example of when you would not pay: Tim graduated but did not look for a job and has remained unemployed. Because Tim has not hit the minimum threshold of $3,000/month, he does not make a payment.

Why are you asking us to pay it forward?

​We've all made mistakes and hurt others. That's why we went to prison. When we get out, there are few programs out there that really take care of us. Think about where you are in your life now. Don't you want something better for yourself? ‍ If you are doing well and earning a really great income, we believe it's our duty to help our brothers and sisters who are still struggling to get on their feet. By working together, we can start rebuilding our communities, families, and futures.

Where is the trucking school located?

​We pair you with a trucking school in your area to give you behind-the-wheel training. 

What type of candidate do we look for?

We're looking for self-motivated, formerly incarcerated people that want a legitimate second chance and are willing to put in the time and effort to get there. That's right. If you have a felony, you're the right person for us. How many times have you heard that in your life? We don't babysit. We don't put up with dishonesty. To join, it's simple. Be open, honest, and transparent with us. Show up on time, every time. Put in 100%.