Chicago's latest effort to embrace residents returning from incarceration just saw a significant boost with the opening of the city's fifth Community Reentry Support Center (CRSC), announced Monday by the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and Mayor Brandon Johnson. Located in the Westside neighborhood of North Lawndale at 808 S. Kedzie Avenue, this new center joins hands with the city's mission to offer critical support aimed at reducing recidivism.
"As part of our comprehensive community safety plan, reducing recidivism rates is a significant move towards creating an alternative vision of community safety while disrupting the cycle of incarceration," Mayor Johnson emphasized in a statement obtained by the City of Chicago's press office. The Safer Foundation, a group with over five decades of experience in reentry assistance, is set to operate the new CRSC, targeting the assistance needs of residents on Chicago's West Side. "Safer Foundation is delighted to provide the newest City of Chicago Reentry Services Center at the Safer Foundation's Danny K. Davis Second Chance Center," Safer Foundation's President & CEO Victor B. Dickson stated, expressing a shared commitment to providing a holistic range of reintegration services.
These centers aren't your average halfway house—they provide a comprehensive suite of services, including job training, counseling, housing, substance use, and mental health support. "Our goal is to make sure individuals have the tools and resources they need to thrive," said Brandie Knazze, Commissioner of DFSS, according to the press release. Along with these valuable resources, Mayor Johnson's FY2024 budget is stepping up to the plate, with $5 million allocated for an Office of Re-Entry within the Mayor’s Office to coordinate these critical efforts.
The DFSS is also piloting the SPRING Forward program poised to deliver comprehensive support to up to 400 individuals with employment and 200 with housing returning to society over the next two years. This $9M investment in community safety and well-being is indicative of a deeper understanding that robust reentry programs are key to a safer and more prosperous city for all residents. For those looking to turn a new leaf and needing support, a hotline stands ready at (312) 798-3310 to connect returning residents with an employment navigator. Additional details on the city’s five Community Reentry Support Centers and reentry support programs are available at the city's website, or through contacting 2-1-1 for service connection.
