Boston’s Mayor Wu, teaming up with the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens (ORC), has dished out a hefty $705,000 in grants designed to improve life for folks fresh out of lock-up. The cash injection, split across two grants, will bolster services for these returning citizens, aiming to make their transition back to society a bit smoother.
Working with an array of local organizations, these grants are crafted to assist with critical needs including job training, housing help, and coping with past substance abuse, according to an announcement on the city’s website. Wu expressed her gratitude for the community providers’ dedication to facilitating the reintroduction of former inmates to society while ensuring that they are set up to succeed and thrive in their communities, as detailed by the city’s statement.
A total of $500,000 will be distributed among 30 nonprofits courtesy of the Returning Citizens Services grant. With the funds earmarked for a laundry list of services - including everything from financial coaching to family reunification - the grants are intended to serve those making their way back to Boston life after serving time in federal, state, or county facilities.
Complimenting the aforementioned, the second pile of cash will be targeted at health and well-being programs for this same group of people, with most of the grantees being led by formerly incarcerated individuals themselves. José F. Massó, the city’s Chief of Human Services, emphasized the cruciality of these supports, acknowledging the compounded challenges faced by returning citizens that over half struggle with mental health or substance use issues, as laid out on the city’s announcement page.
Feedback from the trenches indicates these funds are a godsend. Harry Jean Jacques, the bigwig at Big Hope Project, told the city's team that the grants are a major boon, especially for groups that have been bearing the brunt of the war on drugs. These remarks echo those of Stacey Borden from New Beginnings Reentry Services, who said the grants light the way for organizations to empower those dealing with the tough transition back to regular life, and to push past barriers for a more inclusive neighborhood. She was quoted directly on the city's news page.
Want all the nitty-gritty? The full roll call of grant recipients is up for grabs on the Office of Returning Citizens’ website. And for those seeking more insight or interested in chipping in to support Boston’s returning citizens, the city’s got all the info you need online.
