Phase 1 - 7th Street Location
The Rebound Institute is a vibrant, hope-filled ecosystem—part creative studio, part learning center, part entrepreneurial hub—where healing meets opportunity and where hundreds of people every year will rewrite what reentry looks like.
The Rebound Institute is born from 13 years of planning and intuitive recognition of gaps in pre- and post-release higher education support, training, entrepreneurial development, and self-cultivating community. The high-touch philosophy developed from work with formerly incarcerated students is based on real student experiences during their transition into campus and community life after incarceration. In many cases, we found that the transitional gaps have undermined individual student success.
The ultimate goal is to address the combined need for housing, employment, legal support, life-skills training and college support. Phase one creates a thriving arts and entrepreneurial training facility, tackling three-fifths of our long-term program goal. A space like this doesn’t just influence lives today; it sets new standards for tomorrow.
Programs
Current Phase 1 Projects include:
- Skills Workshops
- Limited legal support
- Community Space
- Workshops & Classes
- Tattoo Training
- College Mapping
- Limited Housing Support
- Online Consignment Space
- & More
Coming Next Phase 2:
- Unlimited Housing Support
- Barber Training
- Optical lab Training
- Teaching Kitchen
Our new building
We are thrilled to announce the outright purchase of a building strategically located on 7th Street in Oakland, CA —an area once known primarily for jails and courts.
What we have accomplished
The building has great potential. Working with Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMS), we first completed a feasibility study to evaluate the building condition and develop a conceptual space plan. We have worked on code analysis and city application requirements for both Planning and Building. We have completed exterior elevation studies, and designed polished concepts.
We have submitted our application for development review to the City of Oakland Planning Department. The architectural drawings—plans, sections, elevations, 3-D images—and specifications outlining the quality and standards required of the construction material will be used not only to secure Planning Department approval, but also as the basis for hiring a pre-construction general contractor once project funding is in place.
Now, we are at the end of detailed design.
Phase one program details
Building design
The existing building, which consists of two adjacent storefronts, will be opened into one high-ceilinged, light-filled space. At its center is a fully equipped art maker space, together with a classroom, office, and reception / gallery area. A new, separate structure, located at the rear of the property and connected to the main building by a shared patio, will house a tattoo studio. The main building will open to 7th Street with a glass front that reveals the creative energy inside and welcomes the community.
Rebound Institute’s 7th Street home is a groundbreaking destination designed to shape the future of reentry support, artistic innovation, and professional development for years to come. Creativity and entrepreneurial development are the guiding principles of the phase one movement. Built to meet people exactly where they are, it opens its doors to individuals at every level of readiness, including those who may not yet feel college-prepared but are eager to grow, heal, and build their futures.
Goal
In early 2026, we seek to raise 3 million dollars to move comfortably into the bidding and negotiation phase of construction/renovation to make the destination space a reality for all to be a part of.
Please join us on this journey.
In early 2026, we seek to raise 3 million dollars to move comfortably into the bidding and negotiation phase of construction/renovation to make the destination space a reality for all to be a part of.
Help us get it done::
At the heart of our new location is a powerful commitment to inclusive, life-changing opportunities:
1) Radical Access and Community Care
We create pathways for everyone, from those taking their first steps into personal development to individuals ready for advanced career growth. No one is left behind.
2) A Safe, Supportive Pathway for Secure Track TransitionalAged Youth
Aligned with SB 823 and Less Restrictive Programming (LRP) principles, our center provides transitional-aged youth with structured support, creative outlets, and meaningful skill-building opportunities that promote healthier reentry trajectories.
3) A Sanctuary for Hard-to-Place Formerly Incarcerated Graduate Students
We proudly host formerly incarcerated graduate students needing internship hours, offering real-world experience, mentorship, and leadership opportunities that are often difficult to secure elsewhere.
4) Honoring Skills Built Inside - Marsha Maytum Maker Space
The center recognizes and uplifts the talents many have honed during incarceration, from artistic techniques to entrepreneurial discipline, transforming these skills into mental-healthsupportive practices and viable business pathways. A fully equipped maker space will host artists of every style and skill level. A chance for traditional paper arts, a way to explore the smooth precision of airbrushing or bring new life to wood with professional refurbishing tools. Create custom leather pieces, experiment with knitting and quilting, transform everyday items through inspired upcycling, or carve your mark with detailed engraving. This is a creative playground built to spark imagination and support hands-on artistry in all its forms.
5) Tattoo Residency and Professional Growth
Our dedicated tattoo residency studio supports aspiring tattoo artists—including those refining skills developed over years in prison—by offering professional mentorship, licensing guidance, and hands-on practice in a safe, structured environment.
6) E-Commerce Support for Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Artists
Through cutting-edge marketing, branding, and sales support, our e-commerce team helps artists build sustainable online businesses, ensuring their work reaches appreciative audiences nationwide—whether they are inside or returning home.
7) Mentorship from Established Artists and Curators
Seasoned artists, curators, and creative professionals guide participants through the worlds of fine art, exhibition, and creative entrepreneurship, opening doors that were once out of reach.
8) On-Site Classroom for Personal & Professional Mastery
Our in-house classroom offers Financial Literacy Coaching, Restorative Justice training, and comprehensive State Licensing support, empowering people with the knowledge and credentials needed to step confidently into their next chapter.
