Sept. 10, 2026

Rebuilding Life After Incarceration

Show Notes

As people exit incarceration, they are 10 times more likely to slip into homelessness because they face higher barriers to obtaining steady employment, reliable healthcare, and affordable housing. Colorado is home to many organizations dedicated to helping folks find a home amid their reentry journeys.

Julie Kiehl is the Executive Director of the Empowerment Program: an organization that primarily supports women leaving incarceration with affordable housing and wraparound services. Mandelyn Lewis shares her own experience finding housing through the Empowerment Program. Dan Ordaz, Executive Director of Jobs of Hope, discusses how his organization serves formerly incarcerated men in northern Colorado—where there are fewer resources compared to larger metros like Denver. Finally, Hassan Latif, founder of Second Chance Center, shares his experience of exiting incarceration and using that knowledge to help others in their own journeys. He believes that kind of lived experience can be an asset to a person, not a hindrance.

Resources from this episode:

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.