Fund future projects

Mentorship and education

Higher Learning Institute

The Higher Learning Institute is a sustained mentorship and education program supporting trauma-affected, justice-impacted, and at-risk teens as they prepare for college and continue through the transition into higher education.

Support begins when a young person enters the program and continues through college. Participants receive consistent mentorship, planning, encouragement, workshops, and courses throughout the year.

• Individual mentorship and long-term relationship-based support
• College readiness, applications, financial-aid, and transition guidance
• Academic, professional, leadership, and life-skills workshops
• Support navigating trauma, justice involvement, and educational barriers
• Continued connection and mentoring after college enrollment

Early learning and support

Kids Academy

Kids Academy is an educational and mentorship program that helps children build emotional intelligence, resilience, healthy coping, communication, self-awareness, and supportive relationships.

Through developmentally appropriate activities, mentoring, and trauma-responsive learning, children gain practical tools for understanding emotions, responding to challenges, asking for help, and recognizing their own strengths.

Reentry, reintegration, and healing

TRAIL Farm Reentry Transitional Housing

TRAIL Farm is a proposed residential reentry and recidivism-reduction program for men and women returning to the community after incarceration. The program will combine safe transitional housing, individualized reentry support, meaningful work, education, mentorship, and trauma-responsive care within a supportive farm-based community.

Using a holistic, humanistic approach, TRAIL Farm will help residents address the practical and emotional challenges that can make reintegration difficult. Each participant will work with the program to develop a personalized plan focused on stability, healing, self-sufficiency, healthy relationships, and long-term success.

• Safe, structured transitional housing for men and women returning from correctional settings
• Individualized reentry planning, case coordination, and connections to community resources
• A working farm that builds practical skills, routine, responsibility, teamwork, and connection with nature
• A farm-to-table restaurant offering culinary training, employment experience, and community engagement
• Individual and group therapy, peer support, and trauma-responsive behavioral-health services
• Education, vocational preparation, job-readiness support, financial literacy, and life-skills development
• Assistance with identification, benefits, healthcare, transportation, employment, and permanent housing
• Mentorship, restorative relationships, and continued support as residents transition into independent living

Successful reentry requires more than release from incarceration. It requires a safe place to live, meaningful opportunities, reliable relationships, practical resources, and space to heal. TRAIL Farm will create an environment where residents can rebuild stability and purpose while preparing for healthy, independent participation in their families and communities.

Future funding priority: TRAIL Farm is a future program for which the TRAIL Center is seeking funding, land, facilities, and community partners.

Evidence and impact

Research & Data Collection Projects

Future research projects will document community needs, lived experiences, program outcomes, and system conditions. Responsible data collection can help organizations understand what is working, identify gaps, improve programs, and make better trauma-responsive decisions.