ABOUT US
New Legacy is a faith-based community organization committed to breaking the cycle of chronic recidivism for nonviolent, nonsexual crimes of returning citizens. Currently, New Legacy offers a 12-to-24-month residential program that uses a holistic approach to address the needs of returning citizens who would face being hopeless, unhoused, unemployed, and reunification of families. The components of the program are:
- Spirituality
- Apprenticeships
- Employment
- Vocational education
- Mentoring/Coaching
- Case Management
- Support Services
- Personal Development
- Family and Life Skills Training
- Community Service
In 1998, Paul and Gisela Nelson started Nelson’s Drywall in Pittsburgh, PA. As the company grew rapidly, the Nelson’s decided to incorporate and change the name from Nelson’s Drywall to Level of Excellence Construction Company Inc. Under their new entity they procured various projects from restaurants and office buildings. They eventually became the main contractor for Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) faculty and student housing revitalization projects.
In 1996 the Nelson’s became members of the National Black Contractors Association (NBCA) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. NBCA hosted an event with Ben Mooney of the Youth Construction Initiative (YCI) which focused on teaching the competencies of the construction trade industry while working alongside experienced industry professionals to at-risk youth or youth involved in the justice system. This event resonated with the Nelsons’, who felt adding a residential component for returning citizens would allow the members to focus on their reentry into society.
In 2004, the Nelson’s moved their business to Louisville, Kentucky. Still thinking about the work they did with YCI, they decided to create something similar to YCI but for returning citizens. After years of preparation, prayers, and laying the foundation, in 2011 New Legacy Reentry Corp was born.