WASHINGTON – More than 70 employees and officers of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) worked together in a citywide clean-up to launch of the District of Columbia’s Summer Crime Initiative.

The May 31, 2019 event – “Team Up to Clean Up” – started with a kick-off rally at the Mary Virginia Merrick Community Center, in the 4300 block of 4^th Street SE, before volunteers from CSOSA, MPD, and other agencies headed to more than 20 locations throughout the District of Columbia. During this day of service, the volunteers cleaned up trash from blocks and streets and promoted community pride to launch a summer of activities. CSOSA, MPD and other law enforcement partners will work together throughout the summer on public safety measures and participate in a series of community events, including the annual National Night Out.

“This is about being out in the community, working, and showing that we care,” said Associate Director Marcus Hodges of the Office of Community Supervision and Intervention Services. “We want to improve the community and will do everything we can to do it.”

“A clean community is a safer community and that’s what this is all about,” said Associate Director Cedric Hendricks of the Office of Legislative, Intergovernmental and Public Affairs. “It’s also about partnership, showing our collaboration with the community.”

The locations included sidewalks, public parks, curb areas, and streets, such as the 1900 block of 15^th Street SE; the 2700 to 2900 blocks of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE; the 5000 blocks of B, C, and D Streets SE; the 5000 block of Benning Road SE; the 3100 to 3600 blocks of 14^th Street NW, the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Canal Street SW, and many other neighborhoods. At many locations, residents came out to greet the volunteers.

This was the third annual “Team Up to Clean Up” event. As in the past, the District of Columbia’s Department of Public Works provided support at the many locations.

In recognition of April as Second Chance Month, CSOSA invited leaders and representatives of business and training programs to Second Chance at Work – an event drawing attention to the obstacles justice-involved individuals face when entering the workforce and highlighting the work that CSOSA and our partners do to prepare people under supervision for the workplace.

President Donald J. Trump declared April Second Chance Month to “draw attention to the challenges that former inmates face and the steps we can take to ensure they have the opportunity to become contributing members of society.” For too many returning citizens, the obstacles imposed by a criminal history compound their employment struggles. Beyond highlighting these challenges and celebrating those who have successfully reintegrated into the community, Second Chance Month provided an opportunity to express sincere gratitude to individuals and organizations that have provided the support, resources, and jobs that facilitated their success.

“Although our mandate is to provide community supervision, we have long recognized that people are more likely to successfully complete supervision when certain stabilization needs are met,” said CSOSA Director Richard S. Tischner. “Steady and gainful employment is one of the top needs. Unfortunately, about half of the employable people under our supervision are unemployed.”

During the Conversations with the CEAC segment of the event, guests toured one of CSOSA’s Community Engagement and Achievement Centers (CEACs) and learned how our staff prepare clients for entry into the workforce directly or provide skills acquisition through completion of a vocational training program. Guests also heard from CSOSA partners including Building Futures, DC Central Kitchen, the EZ Street Music Industry Academy, and the Hope Project about the value of giving a second chance.

The second part of the program — Second Chance Successes – featured successful CSOSA clients who have obtained employment or occupational certifications, achieved stability, and are compliant with the conditions of their supervision, sharing the stories of their struggles and achievements in their own words. The triumphs of these clients are not only a testament to their hard work and determination, but they also demonstrate what can be accomplished through the collaborative partnerships established by the CEAC.

Guests heard remarks from Congressman Danny K. Davis, United States Representative from Illinois’s Seventh Congressional District and co-sponsor of the Second Chance Act; Ahnna Kim Smith, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Council of the District of Columbia; Elissa Silverman, At-Large DC Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development; and Antwanye Ford, Board Chair of the Workforce Investment Council of the District of Columbia.

Finally, during What’s in it for My Business?, representatives from the United States Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services educated guests about the benefits of hiring returning citizens, including funding opportunities, bonding, and the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit.

Our work does not stop because Second Chance Month is over. We have asked each of the employers that participated in the event to commit to hiring one person who is or has been under CSOSA supervision. If you are an employer or training program interested in partnering with CSOSA, contact Michael Bonds, Intergovernmental and Community Affairs Specialist, at Michael.Bonds@csosa.gov or (202) 220-5458.