Last Updated on: April 23, 2026
North Carolina has a mix of local reentry councils, nonprofit programs, workforce programs, housing programs, and legal aid services that can help people with criminal records get back on their feet. Some programs focus on one county or city. Others can help statewide. If one place cannot take you, ask for a referral before you hang up.
Notice: You may also find our “Reentry Survival Guide for Felons” helpful in addition to this page.
List Of North Carolina Reentry Programs
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Local Reentry Councils
Address: Statewide directory, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by county
Best for: Finding county level reentry contacts near you
What it offers: North Carolina’s official Local Reentry Council directory helps you find county and regional reentry contacts that can connect you with housing, employment, treatment, identification help, and local support services.
NCWorks Career Centers
Address: Statewide career center network, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by location
Best for: Job search, resumes, training, and second chance employment support
What it offers: NCWorks can help with resumes, interview prep, job leads, training referrals, workshops, and workforce connections for people returning from incarceration.
Center for Community Transitions
Address: 5825 Old Concord Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: (704) 494-0001
Best for: Reentry support in the Charlotte area
What it offers: CCT helps justice involved people with employment support, housing support, financial education, mentoring, family support, and reentry navigation.
LifeWorks! at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Address: 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: (704) 332-0293
Best for: Job readiness and employment support in the Charlotte area
What it offers: LifeWorks! helps adults facing barriers to employment build work readiness, job skills, confidence, and a path toward stable employment.
Project Reentry, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
Address: 1398 Carrollton Crossing Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284
Phone: (336) 904-0300
Best for: Returning citizens in the Piedmont Triad and nearby counties
What it offers: Project Reentry connects people leaving incarceration with employment resources, life skills support, local partners, and practical reentry planning.
StepUp Greensboro
Address: 603 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 676-5871
Best for: Job readiness, community support, and rebuilding stability in Greensboro
What it offers: StepUp Greensboro provides employment readiness, life skills support, community support, and practical help for people trying to move toward work and stability.
Jubilee Home
Address: Durham, NC 27707
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Supportive housing and therapeutic reentry support in Durham
What it offers: Jubilee Home provides supportive housing and a structured environment for justice involved people who need stability, support, and a safer path back into the community.
Justice Resource Center, Buncombe County
Address: 60 Court Plaza, 14th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 250-6401
Best for: Reentry, diversion, and coordinated support in Buncombe County
What it offers: The Justice Resource Center connects justice involved people with case management, support services, and practical resources that can reduce barriers to stability.
Mediation and Restorative Justice Center
Address: 2554 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607
Phone: (828) 355-9943
Best for: Reentry support, peer support, and recovery related services in the High Country
What it offers: MRJC offers reentry services, workforce development support, peer led programs, recovery support, and case management through Homestead Recovery Center.
Exodus Homes
Address: 610 4th Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Phone: (828) 324-8870
Best for: Transitional housing and reentry support after prison or treatment
What it offers: Exodus Homes provides faith based transitional housing and supportive services for men and women returning from prison, jail, or recovery settings.
Hoke Reentry Council
Address: 109 N. Main Street, Suite B, Raeford, NC 28376
Phone: (910) 565-2299
Best for: County level reentry help in Hoke County
What it offers: Hoke Reentry Council connects returning citizens with local agencies and support systems that can help with employment, housing, recovery, and community reintegration.
Yokefellow Prison Ministry, Aftercare and Residential Reentry
Address: PO Box 601, Wake Forest, NC 27588
Phone: (336) 740-0392
Best for: Faith based support before and after release
What it offers: Yokefellow provides prison ministry, aftercare support, mentoring, and residential reentry help for people transitioning back into the community.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in North Carolina
If you do not have a safe place to stay, deal with that first. Stable housing makes everything else easier, including getting to work, complying with supervision, staying sober, and keeping appointments. You should also read our felon friendly apartments and housing guide while you work through this list.
Jubilee Home
Address: Durham, NC 27707
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Supportive housing for justice involved people in Durham
What it offers: Jubilee Home offers supportive housing with therapeutic and peer support for people reentering the community.
Exodus Homes
Address: 610 4th Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Phone: (828) 324-8870
Best for: Transitional housing after incarceration or recovery treatment
What it offers: Exodus Homes provides transitional housing and support designed to help residents stabilize and move toward independence.
Yokefellow Prison Ministry, Aftercare and Residential Reentry
Address: PO Box 601, Wake Forest, NC 27588
Phone: (336) 740-0392
Best for: Faith based residential reentry support
What it offers: Yokefellow offers aftercare and residential reentry support for people leaving incarceration and trying to rebuild structure and support.
Center for Community Transitions
Address: 5825 Old Concord Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: (704) 494-0001
Best for: Reentry support that may help with housing barriers in Charlotte
What it offers: CCT helps connect people with reentry planning, case support, and resources that can improve housing stability.
Housing Solutions
Some people will not qualify for a formal reentry housing program, or they may find out the program is full. Do not stop there. Ask every program whether they have partner housing, landlord leads, or a referral list. While you work on that, read our housing guide for felons and our background check laws overview so you understand how screening can work.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Local Reentry Councils
Address: Statewide directory, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by county
Best for: County specific housing referrals and local support
What it offers: Local Reentry Councils can often point you to county specific housing options, treatment linked housing, and local organizations that work with returning citizens.
NC 211
Address: Statewide resource network, North Carolina
Phone: 211 or 1 (888) 892-1162
Best for: Emergency housing, rent help, utility help, and local referrals
What it offers: NC 211 is one of the best statewide starting points for emergency and community resources, including shelter, food, rent help, and utility assistance.
NCCARE360
Address: Statewide coordinated referral platform, North Carolina
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Finding local housing, food, health, and support services
What it offers: NCCARE360 helps connect people to a wide range of local services through a statewide coordinated care and referral platform.
Hoke Reentry Council
Address: 109 N. Main Street, Suite B, Raeford, NC 28376
Phone: (910) 565-2299
Best for: Local support and referrals in Hoke County
What it offers: Hoke Reentry Council can help connect returning citizens to local agencies and practical support, including housing related referrals.
Emergency Food, Clothing, and Shelter
When things are unstable, focus on the basics first. Food, clothing, and emergency shelter keep you moving while you work on the bigger picture. If money is part of the problem, also check our financial help for felons page and our food stamps for felons guide.
NC 211
Address: Statewide resource network, North Carolina
Phone: 211 or 1 (888) 892-1162
Best for: Fast local referrals for food, clothing, and emergency shelter
What it offers: NC 211 can connect you to emergency food pantries, clothing closets, shelters, utility help, and other urgent services in your area.
The Green Chair Project
Address: 1853 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: (919) 322-0474
Best for: Household basics and furniture support in the Raleigh area
What it offers: The Green Chair Project helps people who are rebuilding after crisis with furniture and household essentials through community partnerships.
StepUp Greensboro
Address: 603 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 676-5871
Best for: Community support and practical stability help in Greensboro
What it offers: StepUp Greensboro provides a supportive community and practical help that can make it easier to regain stability while looking for work and housing.
NCCARE360
Address: Statewide coordinated referral platform, North Carolina
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Finding county and city level basic needs help
What it offers: NCCARE360 can help connect you with local food, health, transportation, housing, and social support providers.
Free or Low Cost Healthcare
Healthcare often gets ignored during reentry, but untreated health problems, addiction, and mental health issues can destroy momentum fast. If you need coverage help, read our free health insurance for felons guide while you work through the options below.
NCCARE360
Address: Statewide coordinated referral platform, North Carolina
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Finding local clinics, behavioral health, and medical services
What it offers: NCCARE360 can connect people with local medical, mental health, substance use, and supportive care providers throughout the state.
Johns Addiction Recovery Services
Address: 2217 Barham Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: (919) 438-1777
Best for: Substance use recovery support in Raleigh
What it offers: Johns Addiction Recovery Services provides peer and recovery support services that can be especially helpful for people leaving incarceration and trying to stay stable.
Mediation and Restorative Justice Center
Address: 2554 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607
Phone: (828) 355-9943
Best for: Recovery support and peer led services in the High Country
What it offers: MRJC offers peer recovery support, reentry support, and related services through Homestead Recovery Center.
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Second Chance Project
Address: Statewide service, North Carolina
Phone: 1 (866) 219-5262
Best for: Record clearing and driver’s license restoration support that affects access to healthcare and work
What it offers: Legal Aid’s Second Chance Project helps eligible people with expunction and, in some counties, driver’s license restoration, which can remove major barriers to medical care, work, and stability.
Legal Documents and Record Clearing Help
A missing ID, suspended license, or old record can block jobs, apartments, and benefits. This is one of the highest leverage areas to work on. Also read our background check laws overview so you understand what employers may see.
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Second Chance Project
Address: Statewide service, North Carolina
Phone: 1 (866) 219-5262
Best for: Expunction and driver’s license restoration help
What it offers: Legal Aid’s Second Chance Project helps eligible North Carolinians with expunction and certain driver’s license restoration issues that can block work and housing.
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Criminal Record Expunction Clinic
Address: Online and statewide, North Carolina
Phone: 1 (866) 219-5262
Best for: Learning whether you may qualify to clear part of your record
What it offers: Free expunction clinics provide general legal information and guidance about clearing eligible parts of a criminal record.
Justice Resource Center, Buncombe County
Address: 60 Court Plaza, 14th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 250-6401
Best for: Coordinated help with justice related barriers in Buncombe County
What it offers: The Justice Resource Center connects people with case management and justice related support that may help resolve barriers affecting reentry.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Local Reentry Councils
Address: Statewide directory, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by county
Best for: County specific guidance on records, ID, and local support agencies
What it offers: Local reentry contacts can often point you to nearby agencies that help with ID recovery, legal referrals, and practical reentry barriers.
Financial Help
Most reentry problems get worse when money runs out. Ask about transportation help, work clothes, food support, rent support, and emergency assistance even if a program does not advertise it. You should also read our financial help for felons guide.
NC 211
Address: Statewide resource network, North Carolina
Phone: 211 or 1 (888) 892-1162
Best for: Emergency help with food, rent, utilities, and local aid
What it offers: NC 211 can help you find agencies that may offer emergency rent help, utility help, food, transportation support, and other crisis assistance.
Center for Community Transitions
Address: 5825 Old Concord Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: (704) 494-0001
Best for: Reentry support tied to long term stability
What it offers: CCT provides reentry programming that can strengthen job readiness, financial stability, and support networks.
NCWorks Career Centers
Address: Statewide career center network, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by location
Best for: Training help, work readiness, and employment supports
What it offers: NCWorks may be able to connect you with training, career services, and workforce programs that improve earning potential.
LifeWorks! at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Address: 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: (704) 332-0293
Best for: Job readiness when money is tight and work history is weak
What it offers: LifeWorks! helps adults build the skills and confidence needed to move toward steady employment and income.
Employment Help
Employment is one of the biggest keys to staying out. Start with programs that understand barriers faced by people with records, then widen the search. Our companies that hire felons page can help you build a target list once you are ready to apply.
NCWorks Career Centers
Address: Statewide career center network, North Carolina
Phone: Varies by location
Best for: Job leads, resumes, workshops, and training referrals
What it offers: NCWorks offers one of the best statewide starting points for employment support, including job search help, workshops, training referrals, and career center services.
Project Reentry, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
Address: 1398 Carrollton Crossing Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284
Phone: (336) 904-0300
Best for: Structured reentry support tied to work and stability
What it offers: Project Reentry helps returning citizens connect with employment supports, life skills, and local resources that improve the odds of long term success.
StepUp Greensboro
Address: 603 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 676-5871
Best for: Work readiness and rebuilding structure
What it offers: StepUp Greensboro helps people with job readiness, community support, and practical steps toward employment.
LifeWorks! at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Address: 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: (704) 332-0293
Best for: Work readiness training and barrier reduction
What it offers: LifeWorks! helps people with barriers to employment prepare for work, strengthen soft skills, and move toward better job opportunities.
Center for Community Transitions
Address: 5825 Old Concord Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
Phone: (704) 494-0001
Best for: Employment support with broader reentry guidance
What it offers: CCT combines employment support with mentoring, financial education, and reentry planning to help people build long term stability.
Substance Abuse Help
A lot of people coming home need recovery support, not judgment. If relapse risk is high, put recovery support near the top of your list because everything else is harder without it.
Johns Addiction Recovery Services
Address: 2217 Barham Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: (919) 438-1777
Best for: Recovery support in the Raleigh area
What it offers: Johns Addiction Recovery Services provides support for people working to maintain recovery and rebuild stability.
Mediation and Restorative Justice Center
Address: 2554 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607
Phone: (828) 355-9943
Best for: Recovery support tied to reentry and peer services
What it offers: MRJC provides peer support, recovery support, and case management through Homestead Recovery Center.
NCCARE360
Address: Statewide coordinated referral platform, North Carolina
Phone: Contact through website
Best for: Finding treatment and behavioral health resources near you
What it offers: NCCARE360 can help connect you with local behavioral health and treatment providers across North Carolina.
Exodus Homes
Address: 610 4th Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Phone: (828) 324-8870
Best for: Transitional support when recovery and housing overlap
What it offers: Exodus Homes offers structured housing and support that can be helpful for people rebuilding after incarceration, addiction, or treatment.
Other Helpful Resources
If you need more than reentry programs, these guides may help:
- Housing for Felons – Find housing options, second chance apartments, and practical tips.
- Companies That Hire Felons – See employers that may be more open to hiring people with records.
- Financial Help and Info – Learn about financial help, grant options, and emergency support.
- Food Stamps for Felons – Find out who qualifies and how to apply.
- Expungement and Record Sealing – Learn whether you may be able to clean up your record.
Notice: You may also find our “Reentry Survival Guide for Felons” helpful in addition to this page.
What Makes a Good Reentry Program
A good reentry program does more than hand someone a flyer and send them away. The best programs help with the real problems that usually hit first after release, like housing, ID, transportation, job search, food, clothing, recovery support, and staying on track with parole or probation. A strong program should feel practical. It should help you solve immediate problems while also helping you build toward long term stability.
Good reentry programs also have structure and real follow through. That usually means staff who return calls, clear intake steps, honest answers about what they can and cannot do, and connections to other services when they cannot help directly. The strongest programs often combine several things at once, like case management, mentoring, job readiness, housing help, recovery support, and community referrals. Programs that only offer one small service can still be useful, but the best ones usually help you build an actual plan.
Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program
Call before you go if you can. Ask what services they actually offer, who qualifies, what documents you need, whether they help people right after release, and whether they have waiting lists. This can save time and avoid wasted trips.
Ask specific questions. Do not just ask if they help with reentry. Ask if they help with housing, jobs, IDs, clothing, transportation, recovery, legal referrals, or case management. A lot of places sound helpful until you find out they only offer one narrow service.
Look for programs that connect you to other help. Even if one program cannot solve everything, a good one should know where to send you next. That matters a lot in reentry because most people need more than one kind of support.
Do not judge a program only by its website. Some very helpful programs have weak websites. Some polished websites do not actually provide much real help. What matters most is whether they answer the phone, explain the process clearly, and help people solve real problems.
If a program is full, ask what to do next. Ask if they know another program, another shelter, a workforce office, a church ministry, or a local county resource that may help sooner. One good referral can make a big difference.
Keep your paperwork together. If possible, carry your ID, release paperwork, Social Security card, birth certificate copies, parole or probation paperwork, resume, and any referral forms in one folder. That makes it easier to apply for multiple programs fast.
Follow up. A lot of people call once and stop. Reentry services can be overloaded. Sometimes the difference between getting help and not getting help is calling back, showing up on time, and staying on their radar.
Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes only. Programs, addresses, phone numbers, services, and eligibility rules can change. Always verify details directly with the organization before relying on them. Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice.
