Embraced:Fully Checklists & Guidelines

Spiritual Mentorship & Christian Science Treatment

Here is a list of Christian Science practitioners who are interested in working with Returning Citizens and offer either free or reduced-cost services:

In many cases, The Principle Foundation may be able to help pay for Christian Science practitioner services.

If you would like to offer Christian Science treatment services and be added to this page, please Contact Us to request inclusion. You do not need to be Journal listed.

Christian Science Publishing Society Subscription Assistance

Call CSPS for free 6 month subscriptions for people with financial difficulties:  617-450-2880. It’s not the regular subscription department. It’s open until 4:15 EST, M-F.

Listen to the Christian Science Bible Lesson by Phone

Listen to the Bible Lesson by phone 24/7. Call 323-805-8700. One can also hear audio of El Heraldo, Sentinel Watch, and Daily Lift.
The phone line is hosted by the Christian Science Churches in SoCal where you will find love and support on your spiritual journey.

 

Quick Guides

List of Companies that Hire Felons

Higher Education After Incarceration Guide

Low Cost / Free Tattoo Removal Resources

Get a Free / Discounted Phone from the Government

Getting a Social Security Card

Here are official instructions of how to get a Social Security card: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

In short you will need to help gather the required documents, which is usually the trickiest part. Documents list: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

Once you have those gathered, you *might* be able to apply online, but more likely will need to visit a local Social Security office.

If you cannot apply for a card online, you will need to provide the required documents. We need to see different documents depending on citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. You should fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card and contact your local Social Security office.

There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.

Thinking about Co-Signing for a Rental with a Returning Community Member?

One of the topics that comes up frequently with Angel Teams is how best to help a RCM rent an apartment while minimizing legal and financial risk to anyone who is helping. Here are some thoughts shared with us on this topic by a retired attorney. The attorney has asked us to inform you that these comments should not be considered legal advice. You would need to consult with an active attorney in your home state to get full legal advice but the following comments should at least give you some awareness about the issues and possibilities. So here is the discussion.

– William Bruegmann, Retired attorney, former chaplain, California State institutional committee member – Phone: 925-385-0614 – Bill@bblandlaw.com

The point that many people don’t realize when agreeing to co-sign on a lease is that they are potentially exposing themselves to much more than the cost of a few months of rent if the RCM defaults. It depends upon the terms of the lease agreement itself (and there are infinite variations in such agreements) but usually the cosigner is liable to the same degree that the tenant is. You would hope that if a tenant defaults that the tenant will leave the property quickly and in decent condition but that isn’t always the case. There are sad stories where someone acted as a co-signer and the tenant fought eviction in court and with a bankruptcy that resulted in big legal bills to the landlord or the tenant wrecked the apartment or the home. These actions can leave the co-signer on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars. Another problem is that a co-signer might not be able to claim a tax deduction for the financial harm that happens if the tenant defaults.

So those are some of the problems. Here is some of the advice that a co-signer should have: 1. If you co-sign, always try to negotiate a limit on co-signer liability. Most landlords will recognize that the co-signer is helping both the tenant and landlord by co-signing and will be willing to agree to a limit. For example, the angel could propose a limit of liability equal to 1 month of rent and then go higher if necessary to get landlord’s agreement. The angel should know that if the landlord is pressing for liability in excess of an amount equal to 3 months of rent, however, that demand will probably be unreasonable under most circumstances; 2. Alternatively, the angel can try to negotiate for a bigger deposit rather than co-signing. If the RCM tenant puts down some money towards the deposit, then the angel’s additional deposit money should be labeled as deposit number 2 and a lease agreement addendum should specify that the angel has no liability beyond the money put up in deposit and it should also specify that the tenant’s deposit must be exhausted first and and then only after it is gone is the angel’s deposit touched. If the tenant moves out and there is any money remaining in the angel’s deposit, that money gets returned to the angel rather than to the tenant.

In all events where an angel helps out a RCM financially by co-signing or providing deposit money, the RCM should sign a written contractual agreement that indemnifies and promises to pay the angel back if the angel is harmed in the process of trying to help the RCM. The RCM should be clear that it is the RCM’s responsibility to protect the angel from any loss or harm that comes with the angel trying to help the RCM. The angel should realize that if the RCM defaults on the lease that there is a good possibility that the RCM may not make the angel whole but at least the principle and legal liability will be clear.