Earlier this year Nice Kicks had the chance to talk to Cole Richman, the Founder and Creative Director of Bottom Bunk Sneaker House. Cole shared his story of how he turned $200 of government sanctioned probation money into a destination sneaker shop located in LA’s iconic Fairfax District. More than just sneaker shopping, Bottom Bunk provides resources for people who were formerly incarcerated and are looking to get their lives back on track. Cole makes his biggest move yet with the commencement of Off The Bunk, the official nonprofit organization of Bottom Bunk.
Off The Bunk aims to support formerly incarcerated men and women by providing them with reentry services that will help them to rehabilitate after serving time in the prison system. With a list of partners by their side, Off The Bunk will offer job training, career development, and housing. Moreover, Off The Bunk will provide services to care for addiction, treat mental health, and aid in spirituality. All of the Off The Bunk leaders have had their own unique encounters with the criminal legal system and can provide qualified care through their lived experiences.
As soon as an inmate is released from prison, Off the Bunk will set a recovery plan in place. The process begins with a general assessment and care plan, which will then result with the individual being paired with a peer navigator who will teach them life skills while providing moral support. To further facilitate community, Off The Bunk group members will meet 3x a week, with weekly counseling apart of the transition as well. The 24-week program includes therapy, rehabilitation, and anger management courses. Once members reach a certain level of the program, they will begin job training and subsequent job placement at either Bottom Bunk, or one of their trusted partners. Off the Bunk wants to ensure that all members exiting the program will leave with meaningful job opportunities and connections to reputable organizations that will advocate for their development.
The task of transitioning back into society is a challenge for many that leave the prison system. In the past 10 years, California’s recidivism rate has averaged around 50%. Cole wants to inspire change and show others that it is possible to truly break free from the debilitating prison cycle. With both Bottom Bunk and Off The Bunk, Cole will continue his mission of providing jobs for former inmates and giving them a platform to tell their stories. To support Bottom Bunk, follow @BottomBunkLA on Instagram or visit them at 7519 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, California. For more sneaker news and release dates, check out @NiceKicks on Twitter.
