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United Returning Citizen Gala Keynote Speaker, Former Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams’ On His Vision For Uplifting Lives and Communities

By URC | October 2, 2023 | Comments Off on United Returning Citizen Gala Keynote Speaker, Former Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams’ On His Vision For Uplifting Lives and Communities

United Returning Citizen’s annual fundraising gala: An Evening in Casablanca on October 6 at Stambaugh Auditorium is on the horizon, and the spotlight is firmly fixed on this year’s keynote speaker, Jay Williams. A devoted advocate for community progress and transformation, the former Youngstown mayor is poised to enhance Gala’s fundraising endeavors and incite a…

United Returning Citizen Gala Honoree, Tyrell Oliver On Overcoming Social Stigmas And Changing His Life After Incarceration

By URC | September 21, 2023 | Comments Off on United Returning Citizen Gala Honoree, Tyrell Oliver On Overcoming Social Stigmas And Changing His Life After Incarceration

“When you can take money out of the equation and fill it in with love, you’ll be doing it for a long time,” asserts United Returning Citizen of the Year and entrepreneur Tyrell Oliver.  How Oliver transformed his life after incarceration Oliver has a checkered past. While many may have written him off after returning…

United Returning Citizen Casablanca Gala Honoree Cashara Bradley Shares Her Mission To Help Others

By URC | September 17, 2023 | Comments Off on United Returning Citizen Casablanca Gala Honoree Cashara Bradley Shares Her Mission To Help Others

At the start of the interview, United Returning Citizens Housing Specialist Cashara Bradley wore a beaming smile, nearly speechless with gratitude. As a returning citizen, her path to restoring her life sheds light on the power of second chances for those previously incarcerated.

Tips to Land Housing As A Returning Citizen 

By URC | August 28, 2023 | Comments Off on Tips to Land Housing As A Returning Citizen 

Finding suitable housing is often one of the most difficult challenges for returning citizens when returning to society after incarceration. The stigma and discrimination associated with a criminal record can make finding housing difficult. In their efforts to start over, returning citizens face a significant barrier in the form of homelessness. 

How URC’s Casablanca Gala Aims To End Homelessness For Returning Citizens

By URC | August 26, 2023 | Comments Off on How URC’s Casablanca Gala Aims To End Homelessness For Returning Citizens

URC’s Casablanca Gala to Raise Funds for E.Z. Way & Project Good Homes For Returning Citizens As formerly incarcerated individuals strive to rebuild their lives after paying their dues to society, they face significant challenges in finding stable housing. This leads to a vicious cycle of homelessness.  United Returning Citizens (URC) is a holistic movement…

Beyond the Bars: Rappers Who Found Redemption Through Music and Advocacy

By URC | August 26, 2023 | Comments Off on Beyond the Bars: Rappers Who Found Redemption Through Music and Advocacy

Rappers Who Found Redemption Through Music and Advocacy More than any other genre, hip-hop has served as a powerful platform for self-expression and storytelling. From Slick Rick to Gucci Mane, numerous rap stars have faced incarceration and used their personal journeys as lessons of resilience, redemption, and mental health. Just as these rap stars have…

URC Unfolds The Real Reason Black Men Aren’t in Therapy

By URC | August 26, 2023 | Comments Off on URC Unfolds The Real Reason Black Men Aren’t in Therapy

The Real Reason Black Men Aren’t in Therapy There is a significant disparity in the utilization of therapy services among Black men and children. The underrepresentation of Black men in therapy is not only a mental health issue but also intersects with the complexities of the criminal justice system. We can examine realities like the…

New Research Shows Promise for Non-Traditional PTSD Therapies

By URC | August 26, 2023 | Comments Off on New Research Shows Promise for Non-Traditional PTSD Therapies

New Research Shows Promise for Non-Traditional PTSD Therapies New research is shedding light on non-traditional therapies that show promise in alleviating symptoms and improving the well-being of individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is critical to address the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated people, particularly those who may have higher rates of PTSD.…

First-time Homeownership: URC Project Good Homes

By URC | August 20, 2023 | Comments Off on First-time Homeownership: URC Project Good Homes

FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP: URC PROJECT GOOD HOMES The dream of homeownership can best be described by acclaimed actor and activist Wendell Pierce, who once said, “That is the heart and soul of the American dream, homeownership, the idea of being able to buy a house and start to build your family.” Homeownership should be a dream…

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What is United Returning Citizens

URC is a non-profit corporation that helps those leaving incarceration but also the community as a whole with job search and training, life and financial literacy skills and transitional, stable housing just to name a few services.

Client discusses United Returning Citizens program

Carshara Bradley, the housing director for United Returning Citizens, now joins the discussion with Dionne Dowdy-Lacey, the executive director of United Returning Citizens.

Plan for re-entry into society

Lacey talks about the action plan for the organization.

Fighting recidivism day by day

Lacey had previously stated the total number in Mahoning County and also mentioned her relationship with Trumbull.