The local charity Future Hope seeks to give inmates a second chance, and encourages the community to do the same.

"We help people rebuild production lives," says Pauline Hince, the Capacity Building Manager at Future Hope. "We work with inmates in the preparation of their release plans. Once they're released into the community, we help them with all kinds of practical support. This includes two homes that are transitional."

The first home, Quixote House, is a community living space where men have their own room but live together while doing chores and taking care of the house. The second home, Massie House, is more affordable independent living.

"I meet fellows while they are still incarcerated," says Kim McIntyre-Layton, the Next Step Coordinator with Future Hope. "The goal here is to build a relationship with them and learn a little about what their future goals look like. Then we figure out a way for us to facilitate that with them."

After inmates connect with McIntyre-Layton in their Next Step program, they prepare where they'll live once out and how to continue on with life independently.

"We're a sober living community," says Scott Story, the manager of Quixote House. "We have our own peer support group and we recognize and encourage spirituality. We have lectures on things like budgeting, boundaries, and finance. We take turns making dinner and cleaning the house."

Story was once an inmate and after going through the Future Hope program, he stayed on and became the manager to help others like himself. 

Bradley James Jacobson is a Life Coach that works with the men in Quixote House. He also speaks to businesses encouraging them to become second-chance employers. 

"These are guys that paid their debts, they're done," says James Jacobson. "How can we help them? If you ask anyone, 'Would you like people who were previously incarcerated to become great members of society?' Why yes! So then how can we work together to do that?"

Future Hope has been running for roughly 20 years and doesn't rely on government funding. They continue to support people through Manitoban's generosity and donations. 

"We decided to do a 50/50 with two goals," says Hince. "One is to create public awareness of what we do. The second goal was to raise funds."

The 50/50 tickets are available for purchase for $5/ticket up until June 26 and the draw for the grand prize will be made on June 30 on their Facebook page