RJI Quarterly Meeting: After Incarceration, What’s Next? (Online)

Join the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) for their quarterly meeting!

Criminal justice reform was the first focus of TBE’s newly founded Racial Justice Initiative, and has continued to be an enduring priority. Our education and advocacy efforts have targeted systemic injustice and inequities while at the same time we have developed deep supportive relationships with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals through the Partakers College Behind Bars and PEP Re-Entry Mentor Programs. RJI’s volunteer mentors see firsthand the challenges and barriers their mentees experience as they navigate the transition from incarceration back into the community. The Boston Office of Returning Citizens, founded by Mayor Marty Walsh in 2017, provides support services to the more than 3,000 people that return to Boston each year from federal, state, and county prisons and jails.

Last year, TBE was deeply engaged, along with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, in successful advocacy for increased funding to support the important work of the ORC. The new Mayor Wu administration committed an additional $1.38 million to the ORC’s mere $500k annual budget – with the goal of “helping ensure that our returning citizens are coming into community with the supports and stability they need to grow and thrive.” (The Boston City Council further expanded funding, bringing the ORC’s new FY 2023 operating budget to $2.67 million.).

A major step forward toward a newly enhanced ORC has been the appointment of David A. Mayo as its Director. Mr. Mayo brings a 30-year career in rehabilitative services and a deep-rooted commitment to supporting at-risk youth and breaking cycles of recidivism. Prior to coming to this new position, Mr. Mayo worked with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Offices to transform their Reintegration Program, and oversee the Family Matters Program, Workforce Development, and Discharge to Reentry Services. We are thrilled to have the chance to meet Mr. Mayo on March 13 and learn about his vision for Boston’s enhanced Office of Returning Citizens, as well as how TBE can support successful re-entry and reintegration of formerly incarcerated men and women.

Registration and Health & Safety
This event is available on Zoom and pre-registration is required. Please click the purple registration bar above to pre-register. Once you have registered, your unique access link will be emailed to you. If you’re new to Zoom, watch a tutorial or read written instructions on how to join a Zoom video call.