RE-PLANTING PROGRAM
Empowering men to create positive change in their lives through education and leadership training.
Re-Planting is our redefinition of a failed reentry system. We create healthy soil where justice-impacted individuals can grow.
Our History
Our Re-Planting program serves justice-impacted individuals within and without Minnesota prisons by helping them overcome obstacles and achieve success in all areas of life through personal power, personal development, and leadership training.
It is more than a mentoring program. Re-Planting equips individuals with access to employment, housing, mental health resources, wellness clinics, mentorship & leadership training, weekly support group, systems navigation, and a network of support resources. Currently, the Re-Planting program has less than 3 percent recidivism rate, and 85 percent of its participants are employed, some of whom are homeowners.
In 2005, Brother Shane Price and Dr. Verna Cornelia Price founded Re-Planting in the basement of their home. They decided to serve the community based on Dr. Verna’s book, The Power of People, Four Kinds of People that Can Change Your Life.
Starting in Faribault prison, and later extending to five other Minnesota prisons, POP is community-centered. We are deeply rooted in community development and seeking for the community to be the solution to solving problems. Our approach at POP challenges, inspires, and informs individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve success in all areas of life through personal power, personal development, and leadership training.
Through pre-release and post-release engagement, our program gives participants new tools and strategies to re-imagine their life and reduce recidivism.
Today, more than 5,000 people have been impacted across four correctional facilities in Minnesota.
Our Current Initiatives
Employment
Our Re-Planting Employment Expansion Program (REEP) offers a bi-monthly, two-week intensive training to prepare previously incarcerated individuals for a new life and long-term, sustainable employment. Participants receive 40 hours of leadership and job training. Upon graduation, individuals are connected to ready-to-hire employers.
Our Employment program began in 2015, and today 76 percent of our participants are employed. We recently secured the support to expand our employment program to 400 incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
What We Provide
Motivated employee base
40-hour intensive leadership and job training
Weekly support group that promotes social and emotional support.
24-hour employee case management for 90 days, and weekly follow-up after that.
$2400 employer work-opportunity tax credit
If you are a second-chance employer or a formerly incarcerated individual looking for employment - reach out to us!
P.O.P. Wellness Village
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us how critical it is for community individuals to be connected and have access to community health care. We partner with UMN Mobile Health Unit, Stay Safe MN, and MPHA Lyndale Housing Council to offer quarterly health and wellness villages that are completely free. These villages provide services including:
COVID-19 vaccine/booster
Dental fluoride application
Flu Shot
Blood Pressure Checks
A1C checks
COVID-19 test kits
OTC medication if needed
Advocating for change
The Power of People Leadership Institute co-founders and Re-Planting Program participants testify before the Minnesota Legislature Senate Finance Committee in favor of SF3035, a bill involving omnibus jobs, economic development, labor and industry appropriations.