OUR BACKSTORY
Straight Talk Support Group was started by Ms. Bessie Elmore in March of 2013 as a support group for those who sought answers and resources for the loved ones they were supporting during incarceration. Her experience in reentry came as mother of a justice involved son who spent twenty-five years under confinement in North Carolina’s Department of Corrections.
The home was originally built in 1915 for William Umstead and sold to E.T. Rollins, owner of the Durham Herald. In the 70s and 80s, Transition of Youth, Inc., also known as The Troy House, operated as a residential and personal care service and correctional center for youth and up until 2017, provided services for Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Troy House, STSG Transitional House’s predecessor at 1101 North Mangum Street, is now the home of STSG and continues to provide temporary housing assistance to justice involved individuals released from North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety. Since 2018, STSG Transitional House and Straight Talk Support Group has provided temporary housing and program assistance for justice-involved men.
Straight Talk Support Group was started by Ms. Bessie Elmore in March of 2013 as a support group for those who sought answers and resources for the loved ones they were supporting during incarceration. Her experience in reentry came as mother of a justice involved son who spent twenty-five years under confinement in North Carolina’s Department of Corrections.
The home was originally built in 1915 for William Umstead and sold to E.T. Rollins, owner of the Durham Herald. In the 70s and 80s, Transition of Youth, Inc., also known as The Troy House, operated as a residential and personal care service and correctional center for youth and up until 2017, provided services for Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Troy House, STSG Transitional House’s predecessor at 1101 North Mangum Street, is now the home of STSG and continues to provide temporary housing assistance to justice involved individuals released from North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety. Since 2018, STSG Transitional House and Straight Talk Support Group has provided temporary housing and program assistance for justice-involved men.
OUR MISSION
STSG's mission is to be a voice in the community of Justice Involved Individuals and their families and friends that informs, supports, and empowers.
OUR VISION
Our vision is serving to see greatness in Justice Involved Individuals by providing them with 360-degree care and offering support to their family members with the help of the community and our charitable partners.
STSG's mission is to be a voice in the community of Justice Involved Individuals and their families and friends that informs, supports, and empowers.
OUR VISION
Our vision is serving to see greatness in Justice Involved Individuals by providing them with 360-degree care and offering support to their family members with the help of the community and our charitable partners.
Frequently Asked
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What is STSG?
STSG stands for Straight Talk Support Group, the nonprofit organization started out in 2013 as a support group for family members and friends of those who were incarcerated. In 2018, the organization expanded into transitional housing to help justice involved men who were returning to the community from incarceration. STSG is also an acronym for Serving to See Greatness, which is the purpose and code of ethics for the organization. What is the minimum age?
The minimum age accepted at STSG Transitional House is 21 years old. Who is eligible to stay at STSG?
STSG Transitional House accepts applicants that meet the following criteria: Justice-involved males. LGBTQ individuals that are transitioning may also be considered. Referrals are accepted from a correctional institution or reentry program. Applicants who have a previous criminal history, background or convictions for arson or sexual offenses will not be considered for admission. How is the environment at STSG?
STSG is a shared space and structured environment. The house is staffed 24/7 and all residents are required to follow the house rules which include curfews, chores and mandatory programs and meetings attendance Do the residents have a curfew?
All residents are required to abide by STSG or any court-imposed curfew. STSG's curfew is 8pm on weekdays and 9pm on weekends. *STSG's curfews are subject to change at our discretion. Is visitation allowed?
Residents referred to STSG by NCDPS are not allowed to have visitors until they have completed their first 30-day stay. If the resident is coming from a Local Reentry Council (LRC) they can have outside visitation on the covered porch (weather permitting). All visitors must show identification and sign the STSG Log Book. What resources are offered for residents?
STSG provides various supportive services such as assistance with obtaining vital documents, applying for social services and enrolling in educational or vocational programs. STSG partners with Formerly Incarcerated Transition (F.I.T.) to assist our residents with obtaining physical and mental healthcare upon release from incarceration. The organization also offers on-site workshops and classes on employability skills, financial literacy, personal development and peer support. Do residents have resources for employment?
STSG partners with a local employment agencies and employers for able-bodied residents with the proper identification to apply for employment opportunities. STSG also partners with a second-chance employer to offer work-based learning opportunities for residents with little to no work experience or large gaps between employment. What is the process for transition in and out?
An over-the-phone pre-admission interview is conducted prior to acceptance. Upon acceptance, intake and assessments are conducted for new residents in-person. Fifteen days prior to a discharge date, residents will receive an exit interview to discuss their home plan. How are resident expenses handled?
STSG is not responsible for any debts or financial responsibilities of the residents and they are allowed to manage their own expenses. Residents who are ineligible to qualify for food and nutrition benefits (food stamps) will have access to food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Residents who require a payee for their social service benefits, including SSI, must obtain their own payee representative. Does Straight Talk Support Group still meet weekly?
Straight Talk Support Group is the support group of the organization. The group no longer meets in person weekly. The group meets biweekly, every other Tuesday, at 7pm virtually for one hour via Zoom. Family and friends of loved ones that are still incarcerated, or recently released, are invited to attend our platform intended to support people who share a common journey and experiences. Straight Talk Support Group Virtual Forum meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm for families and friends to share common experiences and get connected to resources. We want you to join us so we can be there for each other. Let’s make reentry a smoother transition. Click here for our support group calendar. If you have problems with the link please contact 919-599-3370. |
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We hope you find what you need here. Before you continue exploring, we want to share that our funding resources went through a significant cut in March, and we are seeking community support to help us maintain our essential services. If you're able to contribute, it would make a meaningful difference in providing safe housing and support for those in need. Thank you for your consideration!
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