In 2022, a woman named Shan Shan Burkett from Escambia County, Alabama, was given a second chance that transformed her life. Shan Shan had a history of incarceration for a drug-related crime, on top of addiction issues, strained family relations and outstanding legal fees. READ MORE

Upon release, individuals who served their time in the U.S. criminal justice system face the daunting task of rebuilding their life. Even former felons committed to turning their life around still face significant challenges – challenges that lead too many down the path of recidivism. When you need income to find a place to live, and you can’t find a job without an address, there’s no wonder why many former felons recidivate. READ MORE

WASHINGTON (Oct. 24, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2 million to fund three projects in Ohio that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Advocates for Basic Legal Equity Inc. and Vincentian Ohio Action Network (also known as ARCH), which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative. READ MORE

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $5 million to organizations in seven states to increase the numbers of women in Registered Apprenticeship programs and help connect them with good-paying careers in nontraditional occupations where the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy investments are creating sharp job increases. READ HERE

The number of women heading to prison continues to rise. Until very recently, incarcerated women were outpacing men by a two-to-one margin. The drug epidemic is playing a role in sending more women to jail, with poverty and tougher penalties keep them confined for longer. More than half of incarcerated women have children at home. We look at the challenges women face in prison and once they are released. LISTEN HERE

WASHINGTON, DC, November 1, 2023 (ENS) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This is the first in a series of environmental justice grant announcements the agency will make before the end of the year. READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Tucked inside an old Catholic rectory on the South Side of Columbus, women once confined to a prison cell cook dinner, watch TV and make sure the door is locked behind them before heading to work. READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Cheers, clapping and songs rang through the Ohio Reformatory for Women on Friday as the Horizon Prison Initiative celebrated 76 graduates representing different faiths, cultures, ages and prison sentences. It’s a 10-month multi-faith transformational program, helping to equip graduates with skills to have an opportunity to succeed in life after their release. READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Entrepreneurship is in Robert Matlock IV’s blood, so watching three restaurateurs manage the café he works in is inspiring. Matlock, 32, has been working at Café Overlook on the 16th floor of the Franklin County courthouse since December. READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — ABC6 is On Your Side is showing the realities of life for the formerly incarcerated. Our team followed a woman released from prison, to show what it looks like when starting life over and experiencing freedom for the first time in years. In two parts, ABC6 shines a spotlight on hurdles restored citizens face while seeking a second chance... READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Fighting for a second chance at life. A Franklin County program is giving offenders looking for a fresh start a real opportunity to get their lives back on track. READ MORE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — After serving time, can there really be a clean slate? For many, the short answer is no. According to the Sentencing Project, 77 million Americans, or one in three adults, have a criminal record, with one in four having served time. More than 96% of them will be released back into the community. READ MORE

Tina Cole’s life is a mess. She’s managing a restaurant and moonlighting at a bar. A week ago she became a grandmother. Right now she’s running on little sleep, lots of coffee, and a pinch of adrenaline. And it’s the middle of a very busy morning rush. READ MORE