Nonprofit New Direction helps former inmates transition back into society
Founder Khalil Tutt was involved in gang culture before he was sentenced to prison for 15 years.
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A former gang member from Newark who spent over a decade in prison is now using his influence for good - and gathering dozens of volunteers to join him.
New Direction is an Essex County nonprofit, based out of Newark's Office of Violence Prevention.
They help former inmates transition back into society and provide support for local students.
Founder Khalil Tutt was involved in gang culture before he was sentenced to prison for 15 years.
"When I came home, a lot of guys wanted to know where my mind was at and what's going on and I just wanted to have a new direction for them," said Tutt.
In just six years, Tutt's organization grew to a team of more than 50 community members who work on helping inmates find jobs, violence prevention, and outreach.
"We have young kids that tap us and say they're going to be fighting here; they're going to be fighting there. Then we come down there with our team to make sure that fight don't happen," he says.
Tutt said he's using his own experiences and connections to help those headed for trouble and put them back on the right path.
"Everybody in the game who had that direction that was headed towards prisons and graveyards, I want to provide a better one towards prosperity and success," he says.
Now, Tutt is looking forward to creating an alternative school for students who get kicked out of high school or leave.
"We want them to come to our school and show that we can still help them get there and maybe connect with them on a level that maybe a regular school couldn't," he said.
New Direction has free events, concerts and programs throughout the year geared toward helping teenagers and young adults have a positive mindset and get the resources they need to live in a safe environment.
They can be found on social media at @new_direction360 and by contacting the Office of Violence Prevention for the City of Newark.
