The Wayne County Reentry Council will host activities in April to recognize Second Chance Month, a national effort to bring awareness to formerly incarcerated individuals’ reentry into society.
“Second Chance Month is an opportunity for our community to intentionally reflect on how we can better assist individuals who have served their time in returning to our community to begin life again,” said Wayne Community College Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education Services and Community Engagement Renita Dawson.
A citizen reentry information session will be held Tuesday, Apr. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Walnut Building on WCC’s campus. Guest panelists will cover topics such as overcoming barriers to employment, tuition assistance support services, life after incarceration, and making the right choices. This event is also sponsored by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and NCWorks Career Center.
Additionally, a Community Resources Day Party is set for Thursday, Apr. 25 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Day Reporting Center in Goldsboro. The public is invited to enjoy music and food and gain access to resources that will help individuals make a successful transition back into society.
Both of these events are free and open to the public to attend.
The Reentry Council partners with several organizations and agencies to provide resources for individuals who were released from prison, regardless of how long ago they were released. Resources may include educational training and job-search assistance, mental health support, food, and shelter. WCC serves as the intermediary agency for the Reentry Council.
“The Wayne County Reentry Council hopes that our events will provide an opportunity for the reentry community and those who are experiencing it firsthand to learn about available resources and to hear from individuals we have been able to assist,” Dawson said.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and President Joe Biden have both issued proclamations recognizing April 2024 as Second Chance Month in the state and the nation. Gov. Cooper also issued an executive order earlier this year calling for a unified effort to improve reentry services in NC.
To learn more about the Wayne County Reentry Council, visit their webpage.
For more information on Second Chance Month activities, contact Reentry Coordinator Brandi Matthews at (919) 739-6900 or bnmatthews@waynecc.edu.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.