HOUSTO – The Forgotten Third, a Houston-based nonprofit focused on gun violence prevention, says Harris County will not renew funding for its R.E.S.E.T. program — a reentry initiative designed for young adults coming out of prison.
R.E.S.E.T. works primarily with young adults who have been incarcerated. In its first year, the program has helped participants earn their high school equivalency diplomas and begin training for careers in high-growth fields, including HVAC, plumbing and other trades tied to the Houston and Harris County job market.
The Harris County Pretrial Services Office notified The Forgotten Third that, based on internal needs, the services provided through R.E.S.E.T. are no longer required and the current county funding will not be renewed.
Executive Director of the non-profit Karlton Harris explains that R.E.S.E.T. stands for “relationships, education, skills building, employment/entrepreneurship and training.”
He says those pillars have already made a difference for young men with serious criminal histories.
Shaheem Smith, a program participant, says that from ages 16 to 18 he was making “real terrible decisions,” including two robberies in two years. He said R.E.S.E.T helped him change course.
“This is the crazy thing about it, because me and my significant other, we always talk about that. Where would I be if I didn’t go through what I go through? And I always say either dead or I’ll be in jail for a longer time.”
Leaders with The Forgotten Third say R.E.S.E.T.’s main goal is mentorship, together with clear pathways to employment so participants no longer feel pressure to turn to crime.
Another participant, Jonathan McCoy, said he is now “doing a lot of good things, the right way, the successful way. Instead of crashing out and robbing people to get what I want.”
With county funding set to expire, The Forgotten Third is now trying to keep R.E.S.E.T. alive by creating its own revenue streams. Harris says they plan to use sales from a book, and a new “Where’s the Justice” podcast to help support the program.
“If we can’t find funding, I told them we have to create our own funding,” Harris said, adding that they are determined not to give up on the young people they serve, even without Harris County dollars.
The Forgotten Third is now seeking private donors, community partners and new grants in hopes of continuing the R.E.S.E.T. program’s work with young adults across the Houston area.
