Calling for Justice & Health in Greenville
as we PROCLAIM April As Second Chance Month
Join us on April 3rd from 11am - 1pm as our elected officials officially proclaim April 2025 as Second Chance Month. Mayor Knox White, City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming on behalf of Chandra Dillard, and County Councilman Alan Mitchell will present proclamations and resolutions; Jake Gadsden will say a few words on behalf of SC Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services, and local employers will talk about why they adopt Second Chance Hiring Practices.
Meet with staff, talk to our program participants, and tour our Soteria office. Whether you’re old friends, new friends, and/or have an interest in learning more about Soteria and the realities of reentry - this is a great way to connect with our people and our programs.
Why Second Chances?
1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record.
*National Conference of State Legislatures
98% of the prison population was abused as a child.
*Compassion Prison Project, 202444,000 legal barriers continue to punish people after their time has been served, impacting their ability to start a business, secure employment, find a suitable place to live, and conduct themselves as contributing members of their local communities.
*Stand Together Trust, 2019Nearly 75% of returning citizens are still unemployed a year after release.
*Center for American Progress, 2023
Second Chances enable men and women to successfully reenter society after incarceration. By supporting second chances, we affirm that people should not be defined by their worst mistakes and instead live into their future with security and hope. We open doors to opportunities like family reunification, becoming educated and employed in the fields of their choosing, and access to safe and affordable housing.