In a recent push towards supporting reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society, Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has announced an injection of $105,000 in mini-grants to 21 reentry organizations. Alongside this funding boost, Ashley Montgomery was appointed as the Executive Director for the Office of Returning Citizens (ORC), as detailed in a statement from the City of Boston.
These mini-grants, which vary from $3,500 to $7,000, will invigorate a plethora of services including housing, entrepreneurship education, and legal advocacy. Steering the helm of the ORC, Montgomery will focus on mitigating the disproportionate impacts of incarceration. Having served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over a decade, her previous tenure includes roles at the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and the Department of Mental Health. "I am honored to accept the position of Executive Director for returning citizens," Montgomery told the City of Boston. "With compassion, dedication, and a commitment to restoring dignity and opportunities, I look forward to leading initiatives that empower individuals to thrive beyond their past challenges."
The ORC under the Mayor's Office of Human Services, which is managed by Chief José F. Massó, is tasked with fortifying the infrastructure needed to back returning citizens. It has been a conduit for over 3,000 people annually, who are navigating their post-incarceration journeys. Offering in-person case management and access to crucial societal building blocks like healthcare and education, the office's workload has increased by over 700% since its inception.
With an ambitious $2.3 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025, the ORC’s trajectory is upward, with plans to expand its staff as it gears up to fill four more open positions. Over the past two fiscal years, the staff has grown from two to seven, signaling increased capacity to serve the community. Montgomery inherits a legacy of community support initiatives, with more than $2 million distributed by the office to city-based partners tackling reentry challenges since 2023. "We’re so grateful to have Ashley Montgomery stepping into leading the Office of Returning Citizens," said Mayor Wu. "Her experience in supporting individuals with substance use disorder and her work to reduce recidivism proves her ability to advocate and improve the lives of people reentering society."
