THE CENTER FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

In cities across America there are groups of dedicated people who have long been committed to advocating for returning citizens. Grant Blvd has a deep and abiding respect for the remarkable what they've done and continue to do. This is precisely why we plan to rely on the insights and experience of non-profits in the city of Philadelphia that are currently supporting returning citizens. They have an intimate understanding of what reforms our criminal justice system needs and they also already have relationships with this unique community of citizens. They have welcomed our efforts and have offered to help us with identifying potential candidates for training and employment. That said, the non-profit we've established a partnership with is The Center for Returning Citizens (TCRC). The center's Executive Director, J. Johndi Harrell, is a respected and knowledgable advocate on behalf of currently incarcerated and returning citizens, and he has been an amazing and valued ally in the development of Grant Blvd's mission. 

TCRC assists returning citizens in the transition from incarceration to society by providing job training, housing assistance, counseling services, legal aid, and referrals. TCRC helps individuals, families and communities with the adverse impacts of incarceration. In fact, TCRC has served over 1000 Returning citizens and their families in various ways not only in the Philadelphia area, but surrounding counties since 2012 and has a current caseload of 233 program participants. In Pennsylvania, approximately 3,500 people re-enter society each year.  TCRC assists in developing life plans and creating pathways to success- precisely what Grant Blvd is wholly committed to.

While many of us are excited to act as supports for these citizens, the truth is that being away from home is not only emotionally distressing, but filled with several levels of challenge. With this in mind, we plan to work hard to identify the strongest candidates for training. It is critical that we are purposeful in recruiting individuals who are ready for the kind of mutual commitment our business demands, and who are excited to join a team designed to support them in building careers.  We plan to do more than just reduce recidivism (likelihood of a return to jail), we want to help citizens re-imagine not only who they are, but who they can be.