F5 Project Working to Give Former Inmates a Second Chance

Keeping the past in the past

FARGO, ND — A Cass County organization’s mission is to keep the past, in the past.

The F-5 project works to give former inmates a second chance.

KVRR’s Shiina LoSciuto joins us from Dakota Medical Foundation with more.

SHIINA LOSCIUTO: F5 is a fairly new organization to the metro but it’s growing, hoping to connect community members who are willing to lend a hand to those looking for a second chance. I’m joined by Adam Martin, the founder of the organization. Adam, can you tell me a little bit about the mission of F5?

ADAM MARTIN: The mission, actually at it’s core, is “Felons Helping Felons Re-Enter Society”.  It didn’t start off necessarily that way because most of the volunteers we had were not felons. They all jumped in and they were all of entrepreneur mindset and they believe there’s a fine line between felon and entrepreneur. The constant struggle to survive, not knowing where money is going to come from the next day…it only makes sense to have start-up founders come in and share their experience.

SL: What kind of volunteers are you looking for?

AM: We’re looking for a variety of volunteers. The people we have now are like human resource directors, family law lawyers, recovery coaches and so we’re looking to expand upon that. Also, in the community, we’re looking for dentists who are looking to do projects with us or housing organizations that are willing to give a chance or work with F5 to be that funnel or that filter, if you will. And speakers…always speakers because I think the biggest change comes from words. If you ever want to come to the jail and see what we do there, you’ll see that change starts there.

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