News & Events
Awareness Months
On this page we will highlight national awareness months related to mental health and substance use/misuse.
April is Second Chance Awareness MONTH
April as Second Chance Month is an opportunity to shift how we think about justice, growth, and community. It’s a time to recognize that people are more than the worst mistake they’ve made, and that with the right support, accountability, and opportunity, individuals can rebuild their lives in meaningful ways. Promoting Second Chance Month helps raise awareness about the barriers people face after involvement with the justice system, such as employment, housing, and education. Also it encourages communities to be part of the solution.
By highlighting stories of resilience and successful reentry, we can reduce stigma and inspire hope. Second Chance Month also invites organizations, employers, and local leaders to take action. Some example are creating fair hiring practices, supporting reentry programs, or simply fostering a culture of empathy. When we invest in second chances, we strengthen families, improve public safety, and build a more compassionate and equitable community for everyone.
Other Information and Resources:
- NACDL - Second Chance Month
- Second Chance Month 2026: Taking the Movement Across Florida
- Prison Fellowship Declares April 2026 as Second Chance Month - Prison Fellowship
- Building Second Chances: Tools for Local Reentry Coalitions Toolkit (The National Reentry Resource Center)
- Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections or Treatment Programs Toolkit (OJJDP April 2018)
- Your Money, Your Goals - Focus on Reentry: Criminal Justice (National Reentry Resource Center, 2021)
- Depicted: Success, Failures and the Way Back Home Podcast
