CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Mayor's Office of Reentry have launched the Reentry Convening, The Other Side of Reentry: From First Contact to Second Chance, as a conclusion to Second Chance Month. This event aims to create a space for dialogue, partnerships, and action in order to expand opportunities for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.

The second annual convening, held at the Hope Center, welcomed approximately 300 attendees and served as a collaborative space to strengthen partnerships, share resources, and align strategies aimed at improving reentry outcomes across the city.

During his opening remarks, Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of preparing individuals for their return to society. "The question is not whether people will return to our communities, but how prepared they will be when they do," he stated. "By coming together to get reentry right, we're doing more than opening the door to second chances, we're providing concrete pathways to success while strengthening our communities."

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The event brought together community members, service providers, community-based organizations, and local leaders in order to develop pathways and opportunities for those impacted by the legal system.

Joseph Mapp, Director of the Office of Reentry, highlighted the city's commitment to building an ecosystem where everyone returning to Chicago has a fair chance. "For me, reentry has never been about a single moment," he explained. "It's a process that starts well before someone comes home and continues in how we show up on the other side."

Mapp also emphasized the importance of partnerships with agencies and community-based organizations in order to provide access to housing, opportunity, and support for those returning from incarceration.

The convening featured panelists and participants from various organizations such as JTDC (Juvenile Temporary Detention Center), mental health microgrants recipients, U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis' office (IL-07), and Shenita Muse - Executive Director of the Hope Center.

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Muse spoke about the importance of providing opportunities for system-impacted individuals to succeed. "True justice doesn't end at release - it begins with opportunity," she stated. "In Roseland, we are committed to ensuring that individuals have access to a career pathway, housing, and a future they can own."

Second Chance Month is an annual observance dedicated to supporting and uplifting individuals who have been impacted by the justice system. It also highlights the importance of providing resources and opportunities for successful reentry into society.

Mayor Johnson has made reentry a priority in his administration, re-establishing and re-building the Office of Reentry in 2024. The Office's Year One Report outlines the foundational work being done to shape reentry policy and programming, as well as providing support for system-impacted individuals. More information can be found at chicago.gov/reentry.

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