Frequently Asked Questions
The Fortune Society fields dozens of questions a day from students, service providers and members of the community. For your convenience, the answers to the most common questions are listed below. If your inquiry is not addressed here, please contact Seth Hartig at 212-691-7554 x217 or .
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Is there a branch of The Fortune Society in my state?
The Fortune Society is only able to provide services to individuals living in the New York City area. However, there may be similar organizations closer to home that can assist you. We recommend getting in touch with your local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union. They should be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you locally.
I want to start my own version of The Fortune Society – how do I do it?
As you can see from our history, starting a nonprofit service organization is a daunting task that can often take several years to bring to fruition. Generally, we recommend starting out by volunteering with a local organization with a similar mission so you can get a sense of the day-to-day activities of this type of work environment. If you still want to start your own, this article includes lots of tips, along with all the necessary legal and financial information.
How do I request a subscription to Fortune News?
Subscriptions to Fortune News are offered free-of-charge to incarcerated individuals and can be
. Members of the general public can request a complimentary issue in the same manner. Please make sure to include your full name and address with your email.
I’m scheduled to be released from prison in a couple of months. How can I obtain a Letter of Reasonable Assurance?
Letters of Reasonable Assurance guarantee that The Fortune Society will be able to provide you with re-entry services upon your release from jail or prison. You can request one by sending a letter to the following address:
The Fortune Society
29-76 Northern Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
RE: Letter of Reasonable Assurance
How do I enter the Prisoner Art Show?
Each year, several hundred incarcerated individuals enter our Prisoner Art Show. However, because of space limitations, work is only accepted at our offices during certain periods. For information about the current show, click here. Please note: The Fortune Society is not responsible for work that is sent to our offices outside the designated time period.
I wrote a book about criminal justice issues and/or my time in prison. Can you publish it? If not, can you recommend a publisher who might be interested?
Congratulations on finishing your book! While we are unable to publish your manuscript, we’ve noticed that many of our supporters use Publish America. And remember, we are always accepting articles for Fortune News! Be sure to check our most recent call for submissions.
I’m a prison artist. Can you help me find a gallery or other means to sell my work? (I’ll even give you a percentage of the proceeds!)
Our annual art show is designed to provide a productive outlet for the creativity of incarcerated individuals, help raise funds to support Fortune’s prisoner re-entry programs, and give the public insight into the potential of America’s prisoners to become contributing members of society. Unfortunately, we are unable to broker or display art outside of this context.
I have a loved one in prison who would like to receive more mail. Does The Fortune Society have a pen pal service? Can I place an ad for a pen pal in Fortune News?
The Fortune Society does not provide pen pal services, but there are many organizations out there that do. Prison Pen Pals might be a good place to start.
I feel as though my rights are being violated because of my criminal justice status. Can you help?
The Fortune Society is dedicated to helping people re-enter their community successfully after prison; we do not provide legal services. We recommend contacting the Legal Aid Society or your local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union for suggestions or assistance.
I was released from prison several years ago and I’m still having a hard time getting a job. Do you have any suggestions?
Finding employment after incarceration is challenging. If you live in the New York City area, we encourage you to become involved with our career development unit. You might also want to listen to a NPR story about Mark Klass, a Fortune Society staff member who faced – and overcame – a similar predicament.
Depending on your skills and interests, you might also want to explore the possibility of working at a nonprofit organization, which are generally more forgiving of past indiscretions. Idealist can help you search for openings in your area.
I’m working with a group that is looking to replicate your re-entry service model. Is there a way for me to get my specific questions answered?
Our toolkit is a good place to start. If you still have questions about a specific program or service, please contact Sherry Goldstein at
. She will be able to connect you to an appropriate person.
