FRIENDS

About the program

The Fresno Recently Incarcerated Entrepreneurs Network & Discovery Strategies (or FRIENDS) program was established to empower the formerly incarcerated so they can explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to self-sufficiency and financial sustainability. Since 2019, we have been using a trauma-informed, highly-structured, evidence-based 12-week entrepreneur development program to provide a fresh start for our program participants. Through the program, we’ve watched participants develop all kinds of skills that will help them succeed regardless of their chosen occupational path. These skills include: creativity, critical thinking, effective problem solving, business and economic fundamentals and teamwork.