Help Jake Get Housing

Hello, we are the Alumni of The Washington University Prison Education Project (PEP); we are raising money for Jacob (Jake) Bitters' housing. Jake is about to be released from incarceration and needs stable housing. Without stable housing, Jake runs a high risk of returning to prison. Most importantly, Jake needs housing as a condition of his parole. If he can not find housing, he risks losing his release date or being placed in a community release center (Halfway House).

Some of you are familiar with Jake; he has written quite the resume for himself while incarcerated for those of you who are not. In the spring of 2018, he was admitted into the PEP. This May, a week before his release, he will be graduating during PEP’s 2nd commencement ceremony; he is achieving his Associate in the Arts degree, holding a 3.9 GPA. Additionally, he is only a few credits away from a B.S.M., which he intends to finish this fall. Ultimately he would like to work in Bio-Engineering. Jake's stellar grades have earned him a spot on the Dean’s list and an induction into Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.

Somehow, he also found the time to complete LaunchCode. When he is released in May, the program has connected him with a possible job opportunity using his new skills, a lucrative job opportunity. He will be working with a local tech company.

Finally, Jake is a great guy who deserves a chance to transition to the community from prison successfully. He is a father of 3 beautiful children, a loyal son, and a great friend. Jake overcame addiction, matured into a man, earned a degree, completed a certificate program, and served his time for his conviction. Most importantly, he worked to make himself a vital community member through his growth while incarcerated.

We ask that you help us raise $2700.00 for an apartment that has already been secured for him. Last week Jim Brock and Jami Ake negotiated with a local landlord to secure an apartment predicated on a $2,700.00 deposit. The deposit includes a first month's rent of $650.00 and a security deposit of $2,050.00. With the possibility of a job and the resume he has already built for himself, he will be able to afford the rent. We need your contribution to make this work.