The Benevolence Farm recently opened a second location in Burlington, increasing the non-profit's capacity from six to ten beds.
The initial farm is located in Graham, NC with a transitional employment and living program for women leaving North Carolina prisons. The program was "built on the premise of mercy and sincere belief," according to benevolencefarm.org.
According to Kristen Powers, the executive director of Benevolence Farm, their housing program was established around December 2016.
Since then, over 30 women have successfully completed the program.
"We knew we were getting on something that was in need throughout the state," said Powers, regarding the development of the program. This second location was requested by other members of the community, she added.
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Unlike the initial location in Graham, women who work at this second facility will not work on-site. Women living at the Burlington location will be working in the Burlington/Alamance County areas, helping them readjust to community living.
However, Powers stated that the organization does have an expectation for women to be fully employed before moving in. Benevolence Farm also offers resources to assist the women in meeting this requirement.
In April, the organization onboarded an employment coach. This employment coach will work with the women prior to starting their new jobs to help them transition into employment.
However, some women may satisfy this requirement while working part-time depending on individual circumstances. The primary goal for women to transition is that they're making enough income to sustain themselves by the time that they leave.
Powers said that the "biggest thing" that makes this second location different from the first is "the geographical location." She stated that the housing facility is located on a bus line, near downtown Burlington with other amenities nearby.
At the Benevolence Farm location in Graham, contrary to this new housing facility, the nearest services are ten miles away. Therefore, this new location will be useful in helping integrate its residents into the community.
"This is more of an independent living setup," said Powers. This means that women living in this facility will have their own rooms, no curfews, and more liberties in general than in the first location.
The Burlington location will have four permanent beds, which will open up four more slots in the Graham location. This will help reduce the waitlist for them, and Powers added that it "allows [them] to be more effective."
A few months ago, Benevolence Farm's location in Graham received a grant from Carolina Farm Credit as a part of their 2021-2022 Corporate Mission Fund. As a result, Powers said that they intended to build a 12 feet by 12 feet shed to dry and process herbs, flowers, and vegetables.
It was also mentioned that the farm would produce value-added products such as herb and flower infused body care products, as well as infused salts and oils.
Powers stated previously that the 13-acre farm in Graham offers women employment of up to 29 hours per week, and they perform jobs such as "making the products, taking care of the land, designing the body care products," etc.
As for right now, about eight people have been on the waitlist for Benevolence Farm. Therefore, some of these women may be able to move into the Graham location once more women begin the transition into the new Burlington facility.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: Benevolence Farm looks to help previously incarcerated women integrate with second location
