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In January 2002 the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the CSOSA/Faith Community Partnership launched an initiative to connect offenders returning to the District of Columbia from prison with the support and strength of our city's faith institutions. This productive collaboration has resulted in a new model for efforts to integrate returning offenders into the community.
On January 30, 2003, CSOSA convened a Citywide Assembly at St. Luke's Center to review the Partnership's accomplishments, recognize our participants, and plan for the next phase in our work. Over 200 representatives of participating faith institutions attended, along with many CSOSA staff. The agency received letters of commendation to be shared at the Assembly from President George W. Bush, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Mayor Anthony A. Williams. The Assembly was the first event of Reentry Weekend II, a follow-up to last year's successful call to action at faith institutions across the city.
Reentry Weekend activities were held at over 30 District of Columbia faith institutions from January 31st to February 2nd. CSOSA Director Paul A. Quander, Jr. attended a Reentry Weekend service at Faith Tabernacle of Prayer. The Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders, Rev. Carolyn Graham, was the keynote speaker.
The CSOSA/Faith Community Partnership's efforts are focused on providing positive options and opportunities for criminal offenders who are returning to our neighborhoods after having served prison sentences. This includes mentoring, housing assistance, job training, employment opportunities, family counseling, substance abuse aftercare services, and other support activities. Our first year's activities focused primarily on implementing a successful mentor program. In this second year, we hope to recruit more participating institutions and individuals and greatly expand the range of services available to returning offenders through these institutions.
If you are already involved in this effort to help break the vicious cycle of drugs, crime, violence and victimization, we thank you. If you have not yet become involved, we welcome your contribution. Please review the documents below for more detail on the CSOSA/Faith Community Partnership. Please call Hal Williams at (202) 220-5306 if you have questions, or would like additional information.
