- In the spring of 2025, Trina shared that the Office of Reentry is looking to create opportunities for those that don't have a solid support system when they are released.

- So we are in the process now of working with one of our housing partners, a landlord.

She actually purchased a property.

Her name is Dr.

Hamilton, be Denise Hamilton.

She is in the process of applying for a grant to cover the rehab costs, and those units will be available to our clients.

- In October, 2025, we met with Dr.

Bernice Hamilton at the apartment that's being rehabilitated.

Two of the four units are complete and the other two are still being worked on.

This project was made possible through the collaboration of the Office of Reentry, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the nonprofit Lending Institution, the Cincinnati Development Fund.

She said, this building represents more than just housing.

- It represents hope, it represents stability, it represents new beginnings for our returning citizens.

- Antoine Lightman became the first tenant of Dr.

Bernice's apartment building.

After going through the Office of Reentry, he thinks the office for allowing him to focus on his passion.

- I started school Cincinnati State coming up for culinary.

That's one of my goals.

I think the Office of Reentry a lot, I do in all the college accomplishments that I have accomplished.

You know, just by having a support system and, and, and then on my side, I mean, it, it means a lot.

It does.

- Examples like Travis and Antoine show that a better life is possible for returning citizens if they're given the adequate support.

- In order to change their trajectory, you have to give someone hope.

You have to show them what it looks like.

You can't just say, you need to have hope, you got a chance, you're out Now.

It doesn't work like that.

But I think in, in finding a building like this, they get to see what it looks like to live in, in a building that is absolutely beautiful.

It's just absolutely wonderful.

It just gives them hope.