OUR FOUNDER

Mr. Corwin “Corey” Knight is a fourth generation Washingtonian of the District of Columbia (DC) and successful returning citizen of the judiciary system. His life mission is to bridge the gap between returning citizens and society by offering mentorship, and connections to employment opportunities. He works extensively with diverse client populations that include incarcerated men, women, trans-genders, substance abusers, at-risk youth, and families. With a goal to reduce the number of offenders re-entering the system, Corey fosters programs that are available upon an inmate’s immediate release. He has established a link to provisional service, which is a fundamental component of individual stabilization and long-term success. His objective is to reduce recidivism and increase public safety in our communities through providing effective, evidence-based support services to those incarcerated in the DC Department of Corrections, essentially making participants more self-supporting, responsive, and productive members of society.

Corey’s strengths lie in an authentic and common-sense approach at translating complex concepts and issues. In addition to several certifications, including Recovery Coaching and Parenting, he brings the unique expertise of having lived through many of the experiences his clientele have endured and has the ability to translate personal experiences of restoration in a way that is universally identifiable and applicable. His experience is incredibly insightful and Corey paints a living picture that connects to the heart and soul. Through an authentic approach, peers find him relatable and come to believe in an inner wisdom that allows them to make the mental leap from their current circumstance to a vision of a better life.

As an accomplished returning citizen that has now been clean from substance abuse for 13 years, Corey has become a certified life coach and has begun two new business ventures, the District Water Company and the Community Café Express. He uses the Community Café as a catering company that is a training ground for at-risk youth to learn culinary and hospitality skills. The District Water Company, which provides DC communities with Purified Bottle Water, is used as a business that keeps youth in the community safe while providing them with entrepreneurship training, work stability and other various opportunities. These ventures provide the platform needed to help decrease the number of youth becoming incarcerated and increase the number of those that graduate from high school.