For Immediate Release: October 15, 2024

Contact: Amaury Avalos, Communications Director, City of Philadelphia, amaury.avalos@phila.gov

Office of Public Safety Unveils First Reentry-Focused Neighborhood Resource Center

Ribbon cutting attended by elected officials and community members

Philadelphia– Last week, the Office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP), in the Office of Public Safety (OPS), unveiled a first of its kind, reentry-focused, Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) in North Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Reentry Coalition reports around 25,000 formerly incarcerated citizens return to Philadelphia annually. According to the Pennsylvania DOC’s 2022 Recidivism Report, the most recent overall recidivism rate is 64.7 percent within three years of release. Of those who were reincarcerated within a three-year span, 75 percent recidivated within the first 16 months after release.

“I’m incredibly proud to join the Office of Reentry Partnerships in their unveiling of the city’s first Neighborhood Resource Center,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “In creating a government that Philadelphians can see, touch, and feel, I am committed to bringing vital resources to Philadelphians, no matter where they are in our great city. The NRC is an opportunity for us to make the lives of our residents just a little bit easier, and I look forward to this Neighborhood Resource Center being a model for Philadelphia and beyond.”

The NRC will feature onsite case management, workforce training, digital literacy training, and benefits navigation. It will also serve as a criminal record pardon and expungement hub. The Center, in partnership with Uplift Solutions, is designed to be a one-stop-shop for social services and public benefits for residents of the community, particularly those who are justice impacted.

“We are proud to join Mayor Parker in presenting the first NRC to promote public safety and reduce recidivism by enhancing reentry,” said Assata Thomas, Executive Director, Office of Reentry Partnerships. “This unique model will feature core elements like workforce development and clemency assistance but will also include needs assessment to ensure we are meeting the immediate needs of community members who are justice impacted.”

Additional centers will open throughout North Philadelphia initially, with future centers to be established throughout Philadelphia over time, promoting public safety and providing an infrastructure of reentry support throughout all of Philadelphia.

“It is my honor to announce the opening of our city’s first Neighborhood Resource Center alongside Mayor Parker and our leadership at the Office of Reentry Partnerships,” said Adam Geer, Chief Public Safety Director, City of Philadelphia. “Breaking barriers to resources and supports for our formerly incarcerated community members is an essential part of Philadelphia’s prevention mission. By bringing our City’s resources to Philadelphians where they live, we are giving people one less thing to worry about when they’re looking for support. I want to thank Mayor Parker for her ongoing support for this project and Assata Thomas and ORP for their leadership in bringing this to fruition.”

The first Neighborhood Resource Center opened October 10, 2024.

Further Support for the Neighborhood Resource Center:

  • “Gracias mayor parker for bringing city services closer to our community. As servants to our constituents, we know firsthand how needed these services are and we are thankful to have the mayor’s office as a partner. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with mayor Parker, Desmond McKinson, Atif Bostic, Uplift Solutions, the neighborhood resource center, and all its partners.” – Danilo Burgos, State Representative
  • “This is one of the most exciting and transformational actions ever taken by the City of Philadelphia, and we thank the administration for leaning forward into this critically important service. Providing site users with assistance will close a gap that could otherwise derail lives, and thus we are excited to be a part of this reaffirming and supportive center!”  – Cindy Bass, City Councilmember (8th District)
  • “I look forward to referring constituents to the wholistic services provided at the Allegheny West NRC as well as hosting legislative events and activities to drive foot traffic into the site. These centers are crucial to providing resources the formerly convicted need to be successful in their reentry journey.” – Senator Sharif Street
  • As a minister one of the early lessons I learned was, ‘when you show up looking like hope, people will give you their hopelessness.’ I’m reminded of that because the Hunting Park NLC is ‘hope’ in brick-and-mortar. These resource hubs for all citizens, but particularly our returning Philadelphians, represent the city of hope and good governance we want to keep building.” – Nicolas O’Rourke, At-Large Councilmember, City of Philadelphia
  • “When we focus on helping formerly incarcerated individuals obtain the same opportunities for stable employment, housing and education, we are giving folks a second chance at life,” Parker said. “Everyone deserves the chance at a healthy and happy life, full of opportunity – not to be defined by one bad decision for the rest of their life. This NRC will serve as a catalyst for change in our community and set people on the right path to move forward.” – Representative Darisha Parker
###