AGAPE stands for the Adult General Academic Program of Education. UMSL is partnering with local nonprofit
The SoulFisher Ministries to enhance job opportunities for justice-involved people in the St. Louis community.
Regions Bank has awarded them a $25,000 grant to help fund a series of panels aimed at reducing the stigma around justice-involved individuals while allaying the concerns local businesses might have about hiring them. The SoulFisher Ministries became actively involved in this work last year when it expanded its Adult General Academic Program of Education Reentry program, which provides a continuum of services that aid the transition women make from incarceration back into the community. The program offers transitional and supportive housing, financial literacy, and identity and career readiness classes. It also assists with transportation, utilities, obtaining valid identification, mental health services and health care. Helping individuals secure employment is a key part of helping them reintegrate into their communities.