Mayor Michelle Wu is opening the city's wallet to give a second chance to residents with criminal records, right in time for national Second Chance Month. Wu announced a fresh round of funding for non-profits that help these "returning citizens" find their footing post-incarceration. $80,000 is up for grabs in what's dubbed the 'Returning Citizen Support (RCS) Mini Grant', as reported by the City of Boston.

Applications are already flooding in, and interested non-profits have until May 7 to stake their claim, according to the same statement. This year, the City of Boston is tweaking its CORI policy to knock down the hiring barriers that often trip up folks with records. "Our goal is to support returning citizens to make a smooth transition to thrive in their communities," Wu said in a statement obtained by the City of Boston.

Creating the land of opportunity for over 3,000 individuals who return to Beantown each year, the Office of Returning Citizens lays out a welcome mat of services. These range from job training to housing, aiming to provide a fighting chance for those often left behind. This comprehensive approach is in line with what José F. Massó, Boston's Chief of Human Services, described as Mayor Wu's commitment to rolling out the welcome mat to "a Boston that is welcoming to all."

The city doesn't stop at throwing money at the problem. Later this April, the Office of Returning Citizens takes it a step further with a job fair designed to walk ex-offenders through snagging city jobs. Alex Lawrence, Chief People Officer of the city, praised this move, arguing that Boston aims to set the bar high for others. "I am glad we have improved the processes and support within our operations to become a more supportive employer for those with criminal records," Lawrence explained, as per the information provided on the City of Boston's website.

Another event on the city's docket is the Office of Black Male Advancement's Project Opportunity Resource Fair on April 27. As described by Frank Farrow, the office's Executive Director, the initiative seeks to lift systemic barriers holding back Black men and boys in the city. The resource fair, also featuring a CORI Legal Clinic, is part of a broader collaboration with the Office of Returning Citizens, Farrow added, acknowledging the key role of partnerships in advancing these efforts.