Reimagining Myself® participants receiving their certificates of completion at Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown, California.
April is Second Chance Month®—a time for us to pause and reflect on the nearly 44,000 barriers that individuals face after incarceration. These barriers extend far beyond prison walls, affecting access to employment, housing, education, and other essential services. It’s also a chance for us to reaffirm our collective responsibility to reduce stigma, build opportunity, and truly support reintegration.
Launched by Prison Fellowship® in 2017, Second Chance Month® brings attention to the legal and social challenges that persist long after someone returns home. At RTA, we’ve spent nearly 30 years walking alongside individuals on this journey. From the beginning, we’ve believed in the power of second chances, investing in people, and creating programs that help them not just survive, but thrive.
We know what a second chance looks like because we’ve seen it firsthand.
You can see it in Unlocked, our short documentary which highlights the stories of RTA alumni who have faced immense challenges but have emerged stronger and more resilient. These alumni share their past struggles, how the arts played a transformative role in their lives, and where they are now—working, parenting, leading, and giving back to their communities. Their stories are raw, honest, and full of hope.
You can also see it in Reimagining Myself®—our reentry program, now concluding its second cycle in California. This program is centered on helping incarcerated individuals transition back into society by developing critical life skills through storytelling, connection, and mentorship. It’s about more than just reintegration; it’s about giving people the tools to rebuild their lives, find their voices, and become leaders in their communities.
And you can see it in Jermaine Archer, RTA’s new Executive Director. Jermaine is not just a leader; he’s an RTA alum. He first encountered RTA while incarcerated at Sing Sing in 2005. What he saw that day inspired him to get involved and, over time, take on leadership roles within the program. While incarcerated, Jermaine earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. After his release, he obtained his paralegal certificiation, and worked to support others navigating the criminal legal system. Today, Jermaine leads the very organization that helped him unlock his potential.
Second Chance Month®isn’t just an inspiring movement, it’s a national reminder that when we invest in people, transformation is possible and in turn, builds more resilent communites. At RTA, we’ve seen it in the lives of our participants, and we continue to see it in the extraordinary accomplishments of our alumni. They’re proof that a second chance can lead to a brighter future, not only for individuals but for their families, and society as a whole.
We’re incredibly proud of every RTA alum who shows us what a second chance really looks like. And we’re committed to ensuring that more people—just like Jermaine, just like the voices in Unlocked—get the opportunity to transform their lives.
Watch Unlocked. See for yourself.
We invite you to join us in supporting RTA and our mission to bring healing and transformation through the arts. Your support enables us to expand our reach and provide life-changing programs to more individuals.
