Durham, N.C. – The Durham County Justice Services Department and the Durham Local Reentry Council are taking part in multiple events throughout the month of April as it recognizes Second Chance Month in Durham County. Second Chance Month is a national awareness campaign that aims to inform and highlight the many opportunities for state, local, and tribal government and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for people returning from incarceration.

Since the passage of the Second Chance Act in 2008, significant progress has been made in reducing recidivism across the country. Investments have served more than 400,000 people leaving prison and jail, improving outcomes for all. Second Chance Month was launched in 2017 by the Prison Fellowship to help reduce the social stigma and barriers that plague Americans with a criminal record. In the United States, nearly 1 in 3 American adults has a criminal record.

The Durham Board of County Commissioners will proclaim it Second Chance Month in Durham County at its Regular Session on Monday, April 14, 2025. All residents are invited to attend in person at 200 E. Main Street, inside Commissioners’ Chambers, 200 E. Main Street, or watch live online here. The local celebration of Second Chance Month has the theme of “Plant the Seed Today to Grow Tomorrow.”

“Reentry is rewarding work,” said Robin Heath, Assistant Director of the Justice Services Department.  “To know you’ve made a difference to help someone in a way that can ultimately change the trajectory of their life is meaningful. Helping someone doesn’t just benefit individuals, it builds community.  Second Chance Month is all about recognizing the challenges that justice involved individuals face, offering opportunities for change, and celebrating successes, both big and small.”

Already the LRC has attended the North Carolina Reentry Conference in Raleigh on April 1-3, which had the theme of “Innovative Strategies for Success,” and participated in a resource fair at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh on March 31.

The LRC and Justice Services Department are currently holding a Backpack Drive. Community members may drop off backpacks and other types of bags to be given to clients when they are released to help organize their belongings and transport hygiene products and clothes when they leave. A collection bin is in the JSD building lobby, located at 326 E. Main Street in downtown Durham.

Justice Services Department staff will partner with the Religious Coalition of a Non-Violent Durham to deliver food boxes to several clients that are experiencing food insecurity. These food boxes are provided by Grace Outreach Enrichment Ministries.

The JSD will also be providing treats for clients and participants provided by Favor Desserts on Wednesday, April 16. Uplift Laundry Truck has also donated laundry cards and laundry products for clients identified as experiencing laundry insecurity.

Other programs and activities include:

• Better Chance Employment Fair on Tuesday, April 15, 1-4 p.m., at the Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street
  • In connection with multiple partners, including the Durham County Library and Durham County Department of Public Health, StepUp Durham, NC Works, Eckerd Connects, Durham Welcome Home Program, and the Durham Workforce Development Board, this event brings local employers that are eager to share employment opportunities. Register here.
• Winning Resumes Seminar on Wednesday, April 16, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Justice Services Department, 326 E. Main Street.
  • Participants will learn how to create resumes that get noticed by today’s employers. SKLLD will present on resumes along with two other speakers at the event. No registration is necessary.
• A1C Testing Event on Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Durham County Human Services Building, Conference Rooms B & C, 414 E. Main Street.
  • The Durham County Department of Public Health will provide free A1C testing on site. This provides participants to learn about prediabetes, diabetes, and resources that are available to help improve overall health.
• Mastering Your Career Seminar on Wednesday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Justice Services Department, 326 E. Main Street.
  • Participants will be able to take part in mock interviews, get help with digital resumes, and motivational speakers will attend. No registration required.
• Resource Fair, Wednesday, April 30, 4 p.m., at the Orange Correctional Center, 211o Clarence Walters Road, Hillsborough.

For more information on any of these events, contact the Local Reentry Council at 919-560-0500.

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