Breaking Barriers Utah is intended to be established as a Non-profit Corporation at 974 W 600 S, Provo, Utah 84601 with the expectation of rapid expansion in the criminal/social services industry. Breaking Barriers Utah is an innovative client- focused organization that will help the pre and post incarcerated population. Breaking Barriers Utah recognizes the stigma attached to having a criminal history. The opportunities are rare, and the struggle is real. We will change the public perception of such a population by providing a new approach to re-entry. Our nonprofit will help each client with basic needs and life skills through phases of intense mentoring. No two people are the same we understand that what works for some may not work for others, Breaking Barriers Utah will partner with other entities to establish individualized success plans for each client ensuring that we meet specific needs pertaining to our client’s situation. Breaking Barriers Utah will pave the way for individuals to maximize their potential with the required education phase of the program. Higher education provides many benefits and in conjunction with what we do our clients will see a new perspective and a better way to live. Our organization will not just mentor our clients through the many barriers that arise when trying to reenter mainstream society, we will fight and push through alongside them. We will combine our strength with the strength of our clients to break the barriers.
Breaking Barriers Brief Plan
Overview
Breaking Barriers Utah is a business that is grouped under social service and corrections re-entry and players in this industry include establishments that primarily needs are organization for clients with criminal histories that create barriers in the path to recover and re-enter.
Breaking Barriers Utah is a standard and licensed Non-Profit organization that will be in the heart of Provo Utah. Breaking Barriers Utah is specifically designed with a unique and never done approach to give a future and security to all our clients irrespective of the religious affiliations, their race, and criminal history.
Our Vision
Our vision is to become the number one choice when it comes re-entry options. Breaking Barriers Utah plans to be amongst the top 5 choices for Ap&p and correctional facility referrals to assist in re-entry in the United States of America within the next 5 years. Our vision goes as far as changing the expungement laws for ex-offenders who show significant patterns of change. Our vision is to prove that Breaking Barriers Utah partnered with higher education can effectively serve as an alternative sentence for offender
Our Mission
Our mission as a team is to help individuals from diverse criminal backgrounds break down barriers that prevent successful re-entry. We will use our own experiences to mentor those who seek a change into a sustainable future outside of institutions and addiction. As a team, we will offer individualized recovery plans and life plans to ensure that each of our clients reaches their maximum potential.
Company Summary
Breaking Barriers Utah will work with clients to change the public perception for individuals who have a criminal history. Our primary goals are to provide our clients the opportunity to have a future that provides security in all areas of life. We will accomplish this by providing a phase-based mentor program that through individualized success plans we will break down the barriers that prevent ex-offenders from gaining the resources to obtain basic needs to succeed. Breaking Barriers Utah also stands firm in providing motivation for our clients by requiring and promoting higher education which is at the center of our non-profit.
Company History
Breaking Barriers Utah was founded by Marquita Valdez who in her life faced the very barriers we seek to crush. As a recovering addict and ex-offender, she was denied the assistance from the state, discriminated against by employers and landlords. With the help of Natalie Brewster, her incredible strength and eyes that seen past the history she was able to establish herself in the community. After the success she developed an idea to pass what worked for her with others. The idea grew through mentorship and education. Breaking Barriers was then developed.
Our Clients
We are set to assist and guide people who are addicts to drugs, pornography, and other substances. Even though we are new we are going to be setting the standard for future and existing entities such as Program and outpatient short- and long-term programs with the client focused culture that will be deeply rooted in the fabric of our organizational structure. With that, we know that we will consistently achieve our goal to legitimize our organization with results that show with our re-entry structure and the higher education requirement recidivism will go down and offenders will enter society as productive members. We will also have the results to encourage a change of public, legal, and systematic perception of the criminal history of individuals who desire change. These goals, increase our profitability and reinforce our positive long-term relationships with our clients, partners, and all our employees as well. We will ensure that we enforce our rules, Program programs, work requirements and curfews while in Breaking Barriers Utah. A client who fails to comply with the rules of our center can be discharged and sent home on a case-by-case basis after being staffed.
GetGet to know the CEO/Founder
“The difference in two worlds is often unknown until you leave the familiar for, the unfamiliar.”
MARQUITA SHANTELL VALDEZ
I have lived two lives almost as if I were dead for all the first half and started to live at the middle stages. My prison career started at the age of nineteen when I was sentenced to prison in the state of Arizona. I did not know anyone, nor did I learn any life lessons from going to prison. I completed parole and headed home high before I even got on the bus. I was addicted to meth, heroin, money, and chaos. I did not care that it had cost me everything. I was nineteen with a whole life to get it right. My whole life is close to what it took for me to figure it out. I continued choosing the same life that landed me in prison, alone, on the streets with nothing. I wish I could say that my life of crime and drugs was one that I hated but I would be lying if I did. I loved every minute of running around and doing everything I was told not to do. I had a sheltered lifestyle until about the age of twelve and then I felt that life was just a moment in time I needed to allow to pass by. In the mean while I had every intention of going to college being a lawyer and having a big house with my kids. Instead, I got pregnant my junior year in high school. Like many I conditionally recovered but the moment the baby was born I found myself back at it. Then back to prison three of four more times. Each time got easier and more comfortable. It was like a second home to me. A home that I did not need to pay rent or do laundry or pay bills and it still provided me with one element of my addiction. Chaos! Drama and nothing else. After leaving my four daughters behind, because let us face it, I loved my man and drugs more plus the cycle of incarceration I continued to mirror the life of my father.
Until I did not.
I had a change of strength. I was awaiting court on my second gun case when I met a woman that intrigued me. This woman taught me about a world I knew existed but never imagined I would get to. She gave me a strength that focused on the great I could accomplish the lives I can impact and the paved path I can lead on. She taught me about many things and for a while it worked. However as many know getting out of the system is a hard task. As much as I wanted to change, I began to face real discrimination due to the criminal history portion on every application for housing for employment even for public assistance. So, I gave up and gave in to the urge and desire to live easy and comfortable as a dealer. I faced many legal issues after that until finally I was sent to the Utah State Prison for a third-degree bail jumping charge that to this day, I do not even know how I got. I spent my time reflecting on what I wanted to with my life and how I could make it happen. I wanted to experience all those things my angel talked about when I met her. The problem was I did not know where to start or even what to do. By this time, I had spent 15 out or 34 years in a jail, Program center or prison.
Then when I was released, another angel saved me, N.B. is the director of the Lead Program at Utah Valley University. N.B. was the first person that did not judge me, and she also seen a light in me that I had not. She believed in me and she lent me her strength. N.B . guided me through the education process she introduced me to the most normal people she could find, people that I was terrified of. I did not have the eloquent lady like presence if you can imagine. I was very unrefined but N.B. and the inclusive concept at Utah Valley University changed my life. I thank President Tuminez in my heart each day for making inclusiveness and acceptance of the unfamiliar a priority in her college environment. I had found a new home and a new life. We all have a story no matter what it is the idea that a background identifies you is ludicrous. I have a future there is no need to focus on the backstory for too long. See what is beyond the background see me, see that I have rewritten my story and it reads like this.
My name is Marquita Valdez , I am the founder of Breaking Barriers Utah . I am also the mother of four beautiful teenaged daughter, and I attend college at Utah Valley University, where I am studying criminal law and psychology. I am the President of National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a Lead in the Student Center for the Advancement of Leadership. I have been accepted to attend a Stanford training with the University Innovation Fellowship Program. I am not my past. Although I will use it as a tool to strength others and to keep myself grounded.
That is what this nonprofit is to me it is a chance to show others that this is possible. I love my life today and I love my purpose . I started this nonprofit to combine my strength with others to knock out the barriers , remove the stigma and change the public perception on the history of people. I am forever thankful for all those past, present, and future who contribute to my life no body deserves to be punished forever. Combine your strengths with Breaking Barriers Utah so we can pave an innovative sustainable and secure future for those individuals who are no longer their past.
Breaking Barriers Utah
Executive Director Contract
Business Description
Breaking Barriers Utah a business that is grouped under social service and corrections re-entry. It will be easy for players in this industry to group us with establishment such as Program centers or rehabilitations. We are not either of those, we recognize that those entities are needed, however we also recognize the need for change. Program and rehabilitation services are everywhere today, but little in the way of results is shown. So Breaking Barriers has taken that type of service and added it to a new innovated way of re-entry and made Program/rehabilitation and element to our service.
Breaking Barriers Utah is intended to be a tax exempt 501c3 non-profit corporation that will be in the heart of Provo Utah with hopes to expand to Breaking Barriers Idaho and other states in the future. Breaking Barriers Utah is specifically designed with a unique, never done approach to give a future and security to all our clients no matter what gender, religious preference, affiliations, or criminal history.
We are set to assist and guide transitioning or last chance offenders who have criminal histories, history of substance or alcohol abuse or other addictions in the re-entry process by partnering with local business, community, and state programs to provide 4 key elements in a successful, sustaining, self-sufficient future. Here is a brief explanation of how the application and assessment process will go. As well as the elements needed to success
First- Clients will do applications after being referred to us by another agency such as courts, adult probation and parole, access to recovery or department of child and family services, among others. Upon receiving a referral, we will screen clients to ensure that they are a fit for our services. If they pass screening, then they will be preliminary excepted to phase 0 where they are given task to evaluate the desire and follow through. If excepted they will start phase 1 for the service probationary period and advance based on the progress of their success plan. Clients who hit phase 4 will then be considered for the housing benefits of our services
Second- We will secure safe livable housing by partnering with local landlords and property owners, PATR and Tiny Homes to name a few to ensure housing is covered if our clients do not have housing . If a client cannot find safe livable approved and accessible housing, we will not be able to accept them until we reach that phase in the development of Breaking Barriers Utah. In the future we will hope to not have to turn them away.
Second- We will require our clients to go through some screenings and assessments and focus our services on the mentor aspect. The mentor will spend a specific amount of time with the client that is decided on a case-by-case basis and they will have rules for each phase .
Third- Breaking Barriers Utah requires each client to attend school or trade school because this is the motivation and future benefits aspect. Giving someone in this population motivation and something to look forward to and a sense of purpose will give them the confidence to face other barriers.
Fourth- Each client needs to have an individualized success plan to meet the needs of their situation. We love other programs the idea that a group of people can learn from one universal model is not accurate so we tailor based on each of the client’s needs and their situation.
In that description all the key elements are mentioned
1. Education
2. Mentor
3. Motivation
4. Basic needs such as housing, employment, mental health services, variations of life skills and presentation and professional development.
With that we know that we will consistently achieve our goal to legitimize our organization with results that show with education and the services of Breaking Barriers Utah we can low the recidivism and stop the cycle of chaos. We will produce law abiding and productive members of society . We will render the results that will encourage change of public, legal, and systematic perceptions of the criminal history of people who desire change. These goals increase our profitability and reinforce our positive long-term relationships with our clients, partners, employees, and investors. Breaking Barriers Utahis intended to be established as a non-profit corporation at 974 West 600 South 6D in Provo Utah 84601 with the expectation of rapid expansion in the criminal justice/ Social services industries. Breaking Barriers Utah is an innovative client focused organization that will help individuals transitioning from incarceration or others who may be headed in that direction as a last chance measure. We also will help others with a criminal background. Breaking Barriers Utah recognizes the stigma attatched to a person who has a criminal history. The opportunites are rare and the struggle is real. We will change the public perception of such a population by providing a new approach to re-entry. Our non profit will help each client with basic needs and life skills through intense phases of mentoring. No two people are the same, we understand that what works for one may not work for others. Breaking Barriers Utah will partner with other entities to establish individualized success plans for each client ensuring that we meet the specific needs pertaining to our clients unique situations. Breaking Barriers Utah will pave the way for individuals to maximize their potential with the required education phase of the program. Higher education provides many benefits and partnered with our first of its kind organization they will see a better way to live. Our staff will not JUST mentor our clients through the many barriers that rise up when trying to reenter mainstream society, we will fight and push through along side of them. We will combine our strength with the strength of our clients to Break the Barriers. We will work together in conquoring what many say is impossible with a population that many say is hopeless. We will with pleasure prove that we will gain surpassing victory over the reentry barriers with a population of people that are not hopeless but underserved
Brief mentor structure
Phase One- This phase will be a preliminary phase where our clients are conditionally accepted for the client to understand the dynamic of the program as well as for staff to assure the client is serious about the road they will be traveling.
1. Phase Two- During the Second phase clients will complete the assessment process create a success plan as well as research career choices and education plans. The client will also be orientated and officially accepted to Breaking Barriers Utah.
2. Phase Three- (Intense No Room for Error Phase) If the client gets through the first two phases, they will then be assigned a permanent mentor and begin the process of Fafsa and executing the order of importance basic needs plan. We will do individualized goals such as SWOT and SMART goals. In this phase mentors will spend 4-6 hours a day with their mentor dedicating that time to working on the success plan. Time frame for this phase varies based on the basic needs model being met.
3. Phase Four- Clients will take a bit more of responsibility over their lives. In this phase mentors will spend 2-4 hours with their mentor a day. The day-to-day responsibility will increase including monetary allowance and external contacts. Clients will have already enrolled in school or trade program. Clients will also have obtained housing, employment and completed the other phase requirements.
4.
Phase Five-Eight- Will vary based on individual needs and success. These phases will go all the way into family care and after care.
5. After Care- This is unlike other programs a requirement of the program. After care will offer services such as tutoring, study hall, teach and learn project. Seeking a new network on campus such as our supporters Raices, Lead, UIF etc.
6. success plan. Time frame for this phase varies based on the basic needs model being met.
7. Phase Four- Clients will take a bit more of responsibility over their lives. In this phase mentors will spend 2-4 hours with their mentor a day. The day-to-day responsibility will increase including monetary allowance and external contacts. Clients will have already enrolled in school or trade program. Clients will also have obtained housing, employment and completed the other phase requirements.
8.
Phase Five-Eight- Will vary based on individual needs and success. These phases will go all the way into family care and after care.
9. After Care- This is unlike other programs a requirement of the program. After care will offer services such as tutoring, study hall, teach and learn project. Seeking a new network on campus such as our supporters Raices, Lead, UIF etc.
10. Phase Four- Clients will take a bit more of responsibility over their lives. In this phase mentors will spend 2-4 hours with their mentor a day. The day-to-day responsibility will increase including monetary allowance and external contacts. Clients will have already enrolled in school or trade program. Clients will also have obtained housing, employment and completed the other phase requirements.
11.
Phase Five-Eight- Will vary based on individual needs and success. These phases will go all the way into family care and after care.
12.
13. After Care- This is unlike other programs a requirement of the program. After care will offer services such as tutoring, study hall, teach and learn project. Seeking a new network on campus such as our supporters Raices, Lead, UIF etc.
Organizational structure
Chief Executive Officer:
• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e., leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Reports to the board.
Facility Administrator (Admin and HR Manager)
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, calling for repairs.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation, and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings, and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily home activities.
Addiction Program Specialist/Psychiatrist
• Providing drug addiction/ alcoholism rehabilitation
• Providing Program at halfway houses for clients with mental health illnesses and substance abuse problems
• Develop a Success plan in consultation with other professionals, such as doctors, therapists, and psychologists
o Create rehabilitation or Program plans based on clients’ values, strengths, limitations, and goals
• Assist clients in creating strategies to develop their strengths and adjust to their limitations
• Monitor clients’ progress and adjust the rehabilitation or Program plan as necessary
• Advocate for the rights of people who are just coming out of drug addictions and alcoholism to live in the community and work in the job of their choice.
Marketing and Sales Executive
• Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new clients, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represent Breaking Barriers Utah in strategic meetings
• Help increase sales and growth of Breaking Barriers Utah, Inc.
Accountant/Cashier
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for the organization
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Breaking Barriers Utah, Inc.
• Serves as internal auditor for Breaking Barriers Utah, Inc.
Cleaners:
• Responsible for always cleaning the facility
• Ensure that toiletries and supplies do not run out of stock