Incarcerated individuals are so often stripped of opportunities to connect with their communities and loved ones. Upon their release, institutions rarely provide adequate tools to reestablish these community connections and provide a smooth transition back into society. Voices for a Second Chance is a DC-based nonprofit organization that was founded in 1969 for the purpose of connecting families with their incarcerated loved ones and providing reentry tools. Over the past several decades, the organization expanded to begin providing services to help them transition to a new beginning after their return. VSC now works with the Washington DC criminal justice system in order to strengthen community ties and provide a multitude of services for incarcerated individuals.
VSC offers both post-release services and programs within prisons to individuals within the DC correctional system. The First Responder Service is a resource that allows individuals to create a plan with VSC that connects them to their loved ones and their communities. Through this service, VSC counselors are able to notify families or employers of their detainment, ensure that valuable items are stored safely, send greeting cards to loved ones, and meet with incarcerated individuals in order to provide guidance. Beyond that, VSC operates The Welcome Home Center, which is a reentry program that helps individuals transition into a productive lifestyle after their release. This program is specifically focused on helping those who have been affected by mental illness or substance abuse, as well as chronic illness. VSC offers case management services, referrals for housing and employment, clothing and toiletries, as well as treatment and support tools. Through these projects and others, VSC provides incarcerated individuals and returning citizens with the ability to connect with their community and reenter society in a productive way.
VSC has impacted the lives of so many through their work. Clients of the organization have vouged for VSC’s ability to provide a “safe space” and help individuals “stay connected” to their loved ones both while they are serving their sentence and upon reentry. Without these kinds of services, incarcerated individuals are often left to their own devices both while in prison, and while transitioning back into their communities. Recidivism is a trend that occurs when returning citizens are reincarcerated. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, recidivism is incredibly common in the United States - 2 out of 3 individuals are rearrested and over 50 percent are reincarcerated within 3 years of their release. This is mostly due to the fact that institutions don’t provide the proper resources to incarcerated individuals and their families in order to facilitate a smooth reentry. We must continue to fight against the trend of recidivism by investing in community resources like VSC. This organization relies heavily on volunteers, donations, and fundraising in order to keep their services in operation. Find ways to get involved with Voices For a Second Chance by visiting this link or contacting them using the information below.
Email: info@vscdc.org
Phone: (202) 544-2131
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