Volunteers help transform center for former inmates, those in need

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of volunteers came together Saturday to help transform Conscious House. With every stroke of a paint roller, the volunteers were helping to create Florence Haridan’s dream.

“Lots of the people here in the neighborhood really need a place that’s safe, a place that’s not judgmental,” Haridan said.

She and her fiance live at Conscious House on East 8th Street. Inside their home, they work with people straight out of prison and others who need a change.

“Really the key to helping with recidivism is to do a wrap around,” she said. “To be able to get a job. Where are they living? Who are they hanging loose with? Who’s monitoring their mental health?”

They help them find services and navigate life after prison. Sometimes it’s essentials like socks and underwear. For others, it’s a listening ear during a meal and a place to learn skills.

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“Being able to put your hands to work and see something and learn and screw something up and say, ‘It’s OK I screw stuff up too.’ People haven’t been to work in 30 years or something like that,” she said.

Dozens of volunteers from the USF Alumni Society helped with a new coat of paint Saturday. One wall of the home will be covered by a mural. A mosaic will cover another side of the house.

The theme – butterflies, because the focus is transformation.

Haridan says at the end of the day, it’s about empowering people to change their lives for the better.

“We're really happy to help people transform. That’s really the name of the game, change.”

Haridan also created Conscious Eats, a catering company that employs dozens of former inmates each year.

You can learn more about her projects here.

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