#103 Everyone Deserves a Helping Hand - Monta Knudson, Bridges to Change

Founded by a husband and wife duo, Charles Simpson having been incarcerated, Bridges to Change was founded in 2004 to help released inmates navigate the patch to integrating into society again. A home was set up specifically to offer ex-felons a base of operations, and then additional houses were set up to focus on recovery and mental health issues. There are now around 60 such houses in a three county area around the Portland metro area. There are programs for those who need a short term helping hand and a model for those in treatment services. Those with a higher need stay in a single family home with more staffing and there and there also is a continuum of care for those in need of a longer runway. Monta Knudson spent about 18 years in and out of incarceration, and it wasn't until he had the support to help him with his transition that he made the change. And when he was offered a chance to mentor other inmates just released, he jumped at the chance to help others. That was the Bridges to Change organization of which he is now the CEO. Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland. Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main Website was designed by Cameron Grimes Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org 10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com