RESOLUTION NO. 220278

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Recognizing the month of April as National Second Chance Month in Kansas City and thanking the KC Metropolitan Crime Commission for the Second Chance program.

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WHEREAS, After release many formerly incarcerated individuals find it extremely challenging to acclimate to society, find jobs, and even find housing. In the United States, 67.5% of those individuals returning home from incarceration relapse to criminal activity within the first three years, access to post-incarceration assistance programs like Second Chance can significantly reduce recidivism; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, the KC Metropolitan Crime Commission founded the Second Chance program. An organization dedicated to providing formerly incarcerated individuals with tools to change their lives. Second Chance's efforts have proven to reduce the local recidivism rate to less than 5% in those who are enrolled in the program; and

WHEREAS, Second Chance has partnered with hundreds of companies, trained over 152 practitioners in evidence-based employment practices and provided resources to over 13,000 individuals returning to our community, post incarceration. Second Chance has saved taxpayers an estimated 41 million dollars by reducing recidivism and incarceration costs; and

WHEREAS, Second Chance provides job readiness training, housing assistance, and more to provide those returning from incarceration with a new hope and the tools to help returning to our community an easier process; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize April as National Second Chance month and thank Second Chance with the KC Metropolitan Crime Commission for their dedication to public safety and helping those returning to our community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy her...

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