Photo of a sign that says "rehabilitation"

Adjusting to Community

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

A photograph of a signpost reading "support," "help," "advice," "guidance," and "assistance."

Fed-bound: #44637007

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

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.

A photo of Elijah Payne and his mom outside of their apartment

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.

"City of Trees" promotional banner

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.

Job Counselor Lawrence Taylor speaks at Jubilee Jobs' March 26 event in the 14th Street NW Busboys and Poets.

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.

Aspire participant Ronald Coles of District 1 Trucking engaged in a discussion on effective prioritization at Changing Perceptions

Entrepreneurship Puts Returning Citizens Back in the Game

The D.C. City Council passed a bill in July creating a program that would teach citizens returning from incarceration entrepreneurship skills. The legislation has not received funding yet, although advocates are pushing for its inclusion in the FY 2018 budget. The Department of Small and Local Business is running a similar pilot program called Aspire to Entrepreneurship for returning citizens.