Content categorized as Re-entry

We need a halfway house for men in DC

One of our vendors gives us a different voice on why there needs to be a new halfway house in the District.

The only halfway house for men in DC is staying open, for now

Hope Village was granted an extension on its contract by the Federal Bureau of Prisons until Apr. 30, 2020.

Try to understand, it could happen to you

A Street Sense vendor tells about his experience with the message that homelessness can affect anyone.

What’s next for Hope Village and its residents? The only halfway house for men in DC will close its doors on Oct. 31

With Hope Village set to close at the end of October and no plan in place to replace it, men returning home from federal incarceration are losing a critical piece of the reintegration process. The barrier this adds to the reintegration process only lengthens the list of challenges these men already face when they come home.

Is it over for Hope Village, the last men’s halfway house in DC?

A Street Sense Vendor and former resident of Hope Village describes some of his experiences in the halfway house and why Hope Village should not be in operation anymore.

Martha’s Table’s no-cost clothing boutique is now available to DC’s returning citizens

Martha’s Table announced a new partnership with the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens’ Affairs to extend its Outfitters program to D.C.’s returning citizens. According to the CEO, Outfitters could serve as many as 4,000 new members through the partnership, a tremendous expansion from its current monthly membership of 1,200.

“We’re all we got:” Former and current Hope Village residents fear the future of re-entry in DC

Regardless of the years of reports showing poor conditions and minimal resources, the value of Hope Village remains debated as federally incarcerated DC residents across the country fear losing their one connection to home.

Marijuana is legal, but returning citizens from the criminal justice system are still facing consequences for using it

The fissure between DC marijuana law and workplace drug testing policies adds a new barrier for returning citizens from the criminal justice system.

Adjusting to Community

Artist and vendor Ronald Smoot reflects on his re-entry process and shares his hope for the future.

Fed-bound: #44637007

Vendor and artist Marcus McCall asks for advice on how to turn his life around and recover from addiction.

Up Against the ropes

Charlton Battle talks about his recent return to StreetSense.

Groovin’ with Bonnie’s Grooming!

Marcus Green talks about his new job.

Coalition of employers seeks to hire hundreds of D.C. youth

On September 20th, approximately 6,800 out-of-school and unemployed D.C. youth attended the Opportunity Fair & Forum. Special resources were provided for homeless and at-risk youth.

D.C. Council Fails to Fund Entrepreneurship Program for Returning Citizens

FY 2018 budget does not identify funding for Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program Act of 2016 despite being unanimously passed as a law in 2016. Current D.C. employment and entrepreneurship services for returning citizens cannot provide for the amount of people released from the Department of Corrections, and do not focus on creating education partnerships to facilitate reintegration into society for retuning citizens.

Advocates Dissatisfied with Proposed Amendment to Govern Homeless Community

Advocates and representatives of the homeless population testified at a Committee on Human Services hearing and said that Bowser’s amendment could prevent certain people from receiving housing and shelter.

Council Cuts $2 Million From Already Underfunded Emergency Rental Assistance

The approved budget for fiscal year 2018 will decrease funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program by 21 percent from last year. Although ERAP has been difficult to navigate, many say it is crucial for low-income housing.

Diversion program keeps kids out of prison and off the streets

Since its creation in mid-2014, the Alternative to the Court Experience diversion program has provided necessary resources to hundreds of young people while protecting them from the juvenile justice system, which experts say often fails to rehabilitate youth.

My Experiences with Homelessness

One of our Vendors speaks about how she could manifest anything she aspired to in life just by thinking of it.

Recession-Era Jobs Program More Relevant than Ever

Meridian Hill Pictures’ documentary “City of Trees” portrays how Washington Parks and People’s Green Corps training program sought to offer employment training to jobless D.C. residents, despite financial struggles, at the height of the recent economic recession.

Letters from the ‘Inside’: Help Wanted

After intolerable time spent in prison, ex-offenders returning to society face difficulties finding housing and employment. Jubilee Jobs, D.C non-profit, helps low-income D.C. residents find housing and connects employers to returning citizens, many of whom were imprisoned due to misdemeanors like minor drug possession.