For Chad Smith, Kintock’s Village of Hope program became more than just a place to call “home” – it opened a door to a completely new path on his life’s journey.

Located in Bridgeton, NJ, just down the street from our Residential Treatment Facility and Vantage Point Program location, Village of Hope is a unique transitional housing program for males exiting the criminal justice system. It is comprised of six, climate-controlled tiny home units, with an outdoor picnic area, shared communal spaces and direct access to a wide array of supportive services.

“Village of Hope is different from other transitional housing programs,” said Paul Taggines, Chief Operating Officer of The Kintock Group. “The design and layout of the community, coupled with the direct access to supportive services, employment guidance and financial assistance we offer residents gives them a true second chance at life – a safe, stable environment to work on themselves, set new goals and achieve long-term success.”

Mr. Smith first joined Village of Hope in April of 2023. As with all residents transitioning into the community, Mr. Smith quickly identified some areas that were a challenge to him and would require some assistance, guidance and support from the Kintock staff.

“Mr. Smith was ready to tackle each challenge head on and with a determination to succeed,” explained Stacey Cossaboon, our Transitional Services Specialist at Village of Hope, who is onsite at the community on a daily basis offering residents support and guidance with all of their unique reentry needs. 

Seeing Mr. Smith’s determination to succeed, Stacey worked with him to identify his goals and help set him up on a path towards success.

• Securing stable housing was his first priority – knowing that having a place he could call “home” would allow him to focus on his goals and recovery without the stress or worry of homelessness. 

• Employment was another goal for Mr. Smith – he made a point to actively participate in job readiness workshops, honing his skills and preparing himself for the workforce.

• He was also passionate about furthering his education – recognizing its importance to his chosen future career path in the trucking industry.

• Reliable transportation was another important goal for Mr. Smith – having a vehicle not only expanded his job opportunities, but also made it easier for him to be independent and manage his daily responsibilities.

“Mr. Smith took advantage of every resource we offered,” explained Stacey. “His transformation over a relatively short time span not only highlights the importance of drive and perseverance, but also reinforces the impact and importance of having direct access to comprehensive support services.”

However, there was another thing that was deeply personal and important for Mr. Smith to address during his time at Village of Hope – his desire to rebuild family ties and reconnect with loved ones.

“He worked hard to successfully mend his broken connections through open communication and participation in family counseling,” said Stacey. “This was the most meaningful aspect of Mr. Smith’s journey – he understood that strong relationships with his loved ones were essential for emotional support, which in turn fostered an even greater sense of belonging and love.”

After six months at Village of Hope, Mr. Smith was ready to fully transition back into the community – his time at the tiny home community coming to a close.

“Village of Hope is an excellent program. They paid for my trucking school (CDL), transitioned me into a rooming house before leaving and helped me with a security deposit ad rent for 2-3 months after I left,” continued Mr. Smith.

“Mr. Smith left us with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear plan for the future,” added Stacey. “His journey reflects not only personal growth, but also the potential for individuals to truly rebuild their lives. Mr. Smith is truly an inspiration to others – demonstrating that with dedication and the right support, significant change IS possible.”

Looking to the future, Mr. Smith is committed to continuing his education and advancing his career in the trucking industry. He continues to express gratitude for the support he received and the skills he developed during his time at Village of Hope.

“The program changed my life a great deal,” Mr. Smith shared. “It provided me with a safe, non-violent and peaceful environment with good security, allowing me to save money and work. I highly recommend Village of Hope to anyone interested in transitioning back into society and in need of help.”

As we celebrate the second anniversary of the opening of Village of Hope this November, Kintock is proud to be part of Mr. Smith’s journey and looks forward to seeing where his new life path leads him. 

If you know someone who is incarcerated and nearing release, consider Village of Hope – for more information about the community, eligibility and an application, visit:  www.kintock.org/village-of-hope or call (856) 459-2732.