Today, Governor Kelly Armstrong declared September 15th as Children of Incarcerated Parents Day in North Dakota. It’s an important step—because for too long, the children of incarcerated parents have carried a heavy burden in silence. While one person serves a sentence, their children often serve a hidden one. The Impact We Don’t Always See When…

…and why it’s time to leave them behind At F5 Project, we walk alongside people coming out of incarceration every single day. And still, we’re amazed by the myths that continue to shape public opinion, hiring decisions, housing applications, and even funding priorities. It’s time to set the record straight. These myths aren’t just wrong…

Dear Hiring Manager, We know you’re busy. You’ve got positions to fill, quotas to meet, customers to please, and a thousand reasons to go with the “safe” choice—the résumé that checks all the boxes, the background that looks clean, the story that doesn’t raise any questions. But we need you to stop for just a…

The bottom line U.S. employers are competing in a tight labor market, especially here in the Upper Midwest. In June 2025, unemployment sat around 2.5% in North Dakota and 3.3% in Minnesota, both lower than or on par with the national rate—meaning qualified candidates are scarce and expensive to replace. At the same time, an…

In North Dakota, change is in the air—and this time, it’s aimed at breaking cycles, not just building cells. The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) is taking on one of our state’s biggest challenges: overcrowded prisons and the uphill battle people face when they return home. Alongside adding four temporary “mini-prisons” to…

Imagine this: your case was dropped. You were acquitted. Maybe even pardoned. The legal system said, “You’re free to go.” But every time you apply for a job or a place to live, that old charge still shows up like a scarlet letter. That’s the injustice a new North Dakota law is finally starting to…

Join us for F5 Project’s 2024 Bismarck Golf Open! One of Bismarck’s most known celebrities was known for football, that means there are many sports up for grabs.  Come showcase your skills on the green at our 2024 Bismarck Golf Open!  Our Golf Open aims to benefit the programs and resources provided by F5 Project. …

  Join us for the F5 Project’s Fargo Golf Open!   Ready to swing into action for a great cause? Join us at our Fargo F5 Golf Open and drive change one putt at a time! This charity golf tournament helps benefit the programs and resources provided by F5 Project. With your help, individuals who…

Join us at our Sioux Falls Lunch and Learn! F5 Project wants to engage with community members in a collaborative conversation aimed at identifying public needs around incarceration, mental health and recovery.   Here are the details: Event: Sioux Falls Lunch and Learn with F5 Project Date: Tuesday, March 12th Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm Location:…

  Giving Tuesday, November 28th, is an opportunity to make our community stronger, one act of giving at a time. And to make your giving go further, we’re partnering with Thrivent! This year on Giving Tuesday, Thrivent will amplify your impact by matching $1 for every $2 raised. Plus, all online processing fees will be…