A new community center in Claremont is focusing on helping previously incarcerated men on their journey to getting back on their feet.

The Fulton Community Reentry Center’s program is directed by Sean Dalpiaz. He spent nearly a decade behind bars and remembers the culture shock of returning home.

"I missed the whole MySpace. I didn't know what Bluetooth was. So coming home and seeing folks talking out loud, I thought they were talking to themselves, you know?” said Dalpiaz.

Dalpiaz says housing and finding a job were major challenges, and that his time in prison followed him during the search for those two things. Now, he’s working at the community center that will serve as a temporary transitional housing space for formerly incarcerated men.

“We are going to have the opportunity to offer 140 beds to men over the age of 50 who are being released from incarceration,” said Dalpiaz.

The community center also offers employment readiness, living skills and health care needs.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will operate the shelter in partnership with notable non-profit the Osborne Association. Osborne received a $138 million contract from the city to operate the Fulton Center as a DHS shelter through 2040.

The facility aims to be up and running with beds full by next month.