(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA), and the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) are inviting residents to celebrate Second Chance Month, a local and national observance throughout April that highlights the importance of supporting individuals returning home from incarceration and strengthening pathways to successful reentry. Throughout April, the District will host a series of events and initiatives focused on connecting returning citizens with employment opportunities, critical resources, and community support, including at DOC’s Ready Center in Congress Heights—DC’s comprehensive service center for returning citizens.

“When our returning citizens thrive, our city is stronger,” said Mayor Bowser. “Through the READY Center, through MORCA, and through the many dedicated partners who show up every day to create meaningful second chances for DC residents, we are giving more Washingtonians the opportunities they need to succeed and to help our communities succeed.”

The Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs works year-round to support formerly incarcerated residents by connecting them with workforce development programs, education and training opportunities, and essential services. Through partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and local employers, MORCA continues to advance the District’s commitment to removing barriers to reentry and creating pathways to opportunity for returning citizens. MORCA continues to expand its impact through sustained community engagement and targeted programming, having served 7,716 residents and provided 10,917 referrals to critical resources and services in just the last 18 months. The office has launched 10 new initiatives and awarded $310,000 in funding to organizations dedicated to supporting and employing returning citizens. MORCA has also completed seven cohorts of the Georgetown Paralegal Program, resulting in 70 certified paralegals equipped with specialized skills to advance their careers. Additionally, MORCA’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program has helped 42 residents become licensed drivers, with 38 currently employed in CDL-required roles, further strengthening access to stable, high-demand career pathways for returning citizens.

“Second Chance Month is a reminder that successful reentry strengthens families, communities, and our city as a whole,” said Talib Shakir, Director of the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs. “At MORCA, we are committed to expanding access to opportunities and ensuring returning citizens have the resources, support, and partnerships they need to move forward.”

Mayor Bowser launched the DC Department of Corrections READY Center in 2019, creating a cornerstone of the District’s reentry infrastructure that has since served thousands of residents returning from DOC and Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities with coordinated, wraparound services. Backed by significant District investment and sustained cross-agency collaboration, the READY Center model brings together government partners and community-based organizations in one location to streamline access to essential resources. Services include assistance obtaining identification and vital records, connections to housing and public benefits, workforce development, education and training opportunities, behavioral health referrals, and ongoing case management, ensuring residents can address multiple needs through a single, centralized entry point.

The READY Center has had a strong impact on the community, consistently delivering successful reentry outcomes. A 2023 study by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council found that more than half of participants accessed critical services that supported their transition back into the community, with participants also showing a reduced likelihood of returning to incarceration. And in FY 2025 alone, the READY Center served over 8,900 returning citizens. By lowering barriers to access and delivering services in a coordinated, person-centered model, the READY Center has strengthened the District’s public safety strategy while improving stability, opportunity, and long-term outcomes for returning citizens.

“Every returning resident deserves a real opportunity to move forward, and the READY Center helps make that possible,” said Thomas Faust, Director of the DC Department of Corrections. “By engaging individuals early and continuing that support once they return home, we are improving reentry outcomes through strong collaboration between government and community partners.” 

Residents are invited to attend the following events to celebrate Second Chance Month: 

• When: Thursday, April 2 at 11 am
• Where: The READY Center – 3640 MLK Jr. Avenue SE 
• Register for Understanding Record Sealing and Expungement

• When: Tuesday, April 7 at 1 pm 
• Where: Deanwood Community Center – 1350 49th Street NE 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCASimulation 

• When: Monday, April 13 at 6 pm 
• Where: Kenilworth Recreation Center – 4321 Ord Street NE 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCARoundTable26 

• When: Friday, April 17 at 12 pm
• Where: 899 North Capitol Street NE 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCAStepCorrect

• When: Monday, April 20, 10 am to 3 pm 
• Where: The READY Center – 3640 MLK Jr. Avenue SE 
• Resource and Hiring Fair participant registration
• Resource and Hiring Fair employer registration

• When: Wednesday, April 22 at 12 pm
• Where: 2100 MLK Avenue SE 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCAShe  

• When: Thursday, April 23 at 11 am 
• Where: The READY Center – 3640 MLK Jr. Avenue SE 
• Register for Mastering Your Money

• When: Friday, April 24 at 6 pm
• Where: 200 I Street SE 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCAOpenMicNight 

• When: Thursday, April 30 at 1 pm
• Where: 555 12th Street NW 
• Register: tinyurl.com/MORCAWelcomeHomeExpo 

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