Second Chance Month is a nationwide initiative celebrated by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals returning to society after incarceration. In Philadelphia, we recognize the importance of breaking down barriers to employment, housing, and social inclusion to support successful reentry.
Every April, the City of Philadelphia joins communities across the country in observing Second Chance Month, reaffirming our commitment to providing resources, programs, and opportunities that empower returning citizens to rebuild their lives and contribute to our communities.
More about Second Chance Month
Second Chance Month is more than an awareness campaign, it’s a movement advocating for second-chance opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Founded by Prison Fellowship in 2017, the nation’s largest nonprofit serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, this initiative promotes justice reform and encourages public awareness of the challenges faced by returning citizens.
This effort encourages employers to become second-chance employers, offering jobs and resources to individuals who have served their sentences and are looking for a fresh start. By expanding access to education, employment, and community engagement, this initiative helps break cycles of incarceration and empower individuals to build stable, fulfilling lives.
How can you get involved?
In honor of Second Chance Month, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Public Safety (OPS) and Office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP) are hosting a series of local events in April. Returning citizens, and those who want to support returning citizens and contribute to their successful reentry can join us for any of the following events:
FREE Job Readiness Workshops w/ Temple University – A series of job readiness workshops (not exclusively for justice-impacted individuals).
- Charles Library Room 401 | 1900 N. 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
- Writing a Great Resume: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6PM to 8PM
- Interview with Confidence: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6PM to 8PM
- Expert Job Search Tactics: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6PM to 8PM
- How to Navigate Job Fairs: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6PM to 8PM
April 11: Record Clearing Clinic – Expert legal assistance will be provided to help guide participants through the process of having their criminal records expunged.
- 11AM to 1PM | With Philadelphia CeaseFire | Braid Mill, 441 High St., Philadelphia, PA 19144
April 17: Trauma, Resilience & Reentry: Time to Thrive! – This event is open to ALL community members and aims to provide important information, connection to community, and a bridge to ongoing support and mentorship for justice-impacted & justice-involved individuals and their families (ages 12+).
- 8:30AM to 1PM | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121
April 18: Restorative Art Contest – An art contest to commission a memorial portrait of Mr. Anthony Powell – art pieces will only be submitted by justice-impacted individuals.
- Register by April 18th; Winner announced in June
April 23: Bridging the Gap – Bringing together professionals, changemakers, leaders, and organizations to collaborate on building safer neighborhoods through reentry and public health strategies.
- 9AM to 2PM| The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center, 4250 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129
April 24: Reentry Housing Reimagined: Join Kurt Danysh and Michael Grant as they discuss The Cumberland House, a peer-supported reentry model funded by a $1M grant and services such as E-bike rentals and community bank loans that help to empower residents.
- 1PM to 3PM | Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia PA 19119
April 25: Other Voices of Reentry – Highlights the challenges faced by overlooked reentry populations, including Deaf, justice-impacted individuals and those affected by harmful online content.
- 10AM to 12PM | The Historic Johnson House, 6306 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
April 25: Know Your Rights – An event to educate individuals with a criminal record on what they do and do not have to reveal about their criminal record during the hiring process. In partnership with Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE).
- 11AM – 2PM | ORP Central Reentry Hub, 1425 Arch Street, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
April 25: Investafest – The 1st ever Investafest, where justice-impacted entrepreneurs will compete in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition like no other.
- 9AM to 3PM | Energy Hall (PECO), 2301 Market St., Philadelphia, PA
April 26: Record Clearing Clinic – Expert legal assistance will be provided to help guide participants through the process of having their criminal records expunged.
- 11AM to 2PM | With Uplift Solutions | Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church (East), 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150
April 30: Reentry Focused Job Fair – Hosted by ORP & Temple University, a reentry-focused job fair for justice-involved individuals.
- 10AM to 2PM | Temple University – Howard Gittis Student Activity Center (Room 200), 1755 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
To learn more information about any of the above events and/or to register, check out our full list of events.
City of Philadelphia’s Commitment to Second Chances
The City of Philadelphia is dedicated to supporting returning citizens through key offices that provide essential resources and programs:
- Office of Public Safety (OPS): Works to improve public safety by addressing the root causes of crime and creating opportunities for returning citizens, including access to jobs, housing, and essential services.
- Office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP): ORP, which falls under OPS, aims to facilitate a holistic reentry process for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. Through collaboration with city partners, community organizations, employers, and service providers, ORP ensures that returning citizens have the resources and support necessary to reintegrate successfully. The program encompasses multiple aspects of the reentry journey, offering assistance with employment, education, mental health, substance abuse, housing, legal issues, and family reunification.
Join the Effort
Philadelphia’s recognition of Second Chance Month is part of a larger commitment to ensuring that returning citizens have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Join the movement for second chances! Attend an event, volunteer, or donate to help returning citizens succeed. Every action counts. Let’s make Philadelphia a city of second chances.
