Georgetown University Honors DC Advocate for the Incarcerated
Courtesy of The Hoya
“Georgetown University partnered with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to honor a Washington, D.C. advocate for incarcerated individuals at its annual Let Freedom Ring Celebration on Jan. 19.
Paula Thompson, the president of Voices for a Second Chance (VSC), a D.C. nonprofit organization which aids formerly incarcerated individuals in reentry, received the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award. The award, named after the coach emeritus of Georgetown men’s basketball and racial justice advocate, is presented annually to local leaders in social justice.
Courtesy of Georgetown University | Georgetown University honored a Washington, D.C. advocate for incarcerated individuals at its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Jan. 19.
Thompson said principles of empathy, non-judgment and holistic care for clients’ well-being guide VSC’s work.”
ABOUT VOICES FOR A SECOND CHANCE
Our mission is to provide the support and services that men and women who have been incarcerated need to rebuild their lives. We work with our clients to develop and strengthen their connections to their families and the community.
We are guided by compassion and empathy for our clients and committed to helping them build the capacity and courage to change their lives—regardless of their past choices, present struggles, or future obstacles.
We tailor our services to clients' unique needs, risks, and strengths. We recognize the importance of evidence-based, culturally appropriate, family-focused, and trauma-informed programs.
As VSC’s mission expanded to include comprehensive services for people returning from incarceration, collaborative relationships were developed with DC’s criminal justice system and community stakeholders. As a result, in 2015, VSC changed its name to Voices for A Second Chance. VSC continues to work with DC residents incarcerated before and after their release. We have also continued to focus on maintaining and strengthening family and community ties while providing a wide range of reentry services and programs. Our support and services for over 50 years have made it possible for tens of thousands of men and women to rebuild their lives.