UPCOMING EVENTS

Although our events are open to the public, they are aimed at providing public education not only to those we serve but to the community at large on issues that directly impact justice-involved individuals and our families such as the barriers to reentry, criminal justice reform legislative updates, employment and housing discrimination, voter disenfranchisement, expungements and much more! To see past events, visit our YouTube page or our gallery.

Below are upcoming virtual and in-person events that will be hosted (or co-hosted) by us and our community partners throughout the state, including our save the dates events for our July Reentry Awareness Month events. Please register for the events through the indicated links. If you are interested in volunteering at any of the events that WE are hosting, co-hosting or tabling at, please email us at office@nlscoinc.org. 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR OUR JULY REENTRY AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS!

Since receiving our 1st proclamation to honor July as Reentry Awareness Month in 2016, we have been a leader in advocating for awareness of the barriers to reentry as well as highlighting the successes of justice involved Georgians and the contributions we make to the state of Georgia. 

We have received our 9th annual proclamation from a Georgia Governor to honor reentry awareness throughout the state and have tons of engaging, educational and networking events (virtual and in person) planned for July in Columbus, Atlanta and Ellenwood. From voter education, free dinners, informative webinars, workshops and training, background friendly resource fairs, networking opportunities and giveaways, we have an eventful July in store for you! 

 Therefore, please join us, our friends and partners at our July events. See all events below.

NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS. CLICK HERE TO SEE POSITIONS AND APPLY.

Upcoming Events

July's 9th Annual Reentry Awareness Month Events

Please join us our friends and community partners for a month filled with in person (Columbus & Atlanta) and virtual events to bring awareness of the barriers to reentry and highlight the successes of justice involved Georgians and the contributions we make to the state of Georgia. From voter education, free dinners, cash giveaways, informative webinars, background friendly resource fairs, networking opportunities and an entrepreneurship market place, we have an eventful July in store for you! ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and with the exception the job and resource fairs, all events require registration.  To donate or sponsor one or more events, please visit our donations page to see the many ways you can donate to help us support those we serve. 

2025 Governor's Proclamation

Since before receiving our 1st proclamation in 2016 to honor July as Reentry Awareness Month in 2016, we advocated for reentry equity and continue to be a consistent and reliable resource that ONLY shares fair chance resources and opportunities open to Georgians impacted by an arrest, convicton or incarceration. Since being founded in 2012, we have assisted over 1,000 justice involved Georgians with connecting to employment, housing, higher education, critical records, entrepreneurship through referrals or by directly providing job readiness, digital literacy and entrepreneurship training and financial assistance.

July 2025's Calendar

From voter education, free dinners, informative webinars, workshops, cash giveaways, small business networking to criminal record friendly job and resource fairs, see below to see what we have planned for you in July!

So please join us, network, get the resources you need and let's work together to make Georgia a state that is fair and equitable to ALL Georgians.

Support Those We Serve: Sponsor or Donate

We are a volunteer, formerly incarcerated led, mostly unfunded, nonprofit that relies heavily on donor/funder support to provide the services and financial support to EQUIP, EMPOWER and RESTORE those we serve. 

Please consider investing in 2nd chances by visiting our Donate Page to see the sponsor levels, perks and the many ways to make a tax deductable donation, including our verified annual $2 for 2nd Chances fundraiser. Click here to see the sponsorship levels and the many ways to donate.

Volunteers Needed in-person in Columbus & Atlanta in July!

Documentation of hours completed can be provided

If you are in need of volunteer hours and live in Columbus or the Atlanta area, please consider volunteering for our July events. Lunch will be provided at the event or after the event.

COLUMBUS, GA. 

July 1st. 11am.
Criminal Record Friendly Job & Resource Fair 
Macon Rd. Library
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Although this event is open to the public and those who may not have a criminal record, 100% of the employers and resource providers present will have opportunities, services and programs open to those impacted by an arrest or conviction. 

There will be a cash giveaway so be sure to sign in. 

This event is sponsored by 

July 1st. 6pm. 
3rd Annual Ballots & Bites Voter Education & Dinner. 
(off University Ave.)
Registration closed. 

In partnership with Fair Count and VoteRiders, we are hosting an informative voter education session to support your civic engagement. Attendees can also enter into an arts contest that focuses on: Voting rights, Democracy or Voter Education. 1st place is $100, 2nd place is $50 and 3rd place is $25.

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED

This event is sponsored by 

Dinner will be catered by Down Home Southern Catering, LLC.

July 2nd. 12p.
Justice Impacted & Formerly Incarcerated People's Fellowship Lunch. 
Old Times Buffet. Registration Closed. 

We will treat up to 20 justice impacted people and their families to lunch at Old Times Buffet to connect and fellowship. Meal & beverage included. (no to go orders)

There will be a cash giveaway. 

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED

This event is sponsored by 

July 6th. 10am.
Worship & Lunch Fellowship.  The Faith Community's Role in Reentry, Redemption & Restoration. 
Greater Beallwood Baptist Church. 

To support formerly incarcerated people and the families of justice impacted people who have been made to feel unwelcomed at church, we are attending Greater Beallwood Baptist Church for their 1 hour worship service and will enjoy a catered lunch. Registration for the lunch has officially closed but if you would like to still attend the lunch, please join us for service as church attendance is required to attend the lunch. 

This event is sponsored by 

Caterer: Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. 

VIRTUAL (zoom)

July 8th. 6pm. Zoom. 
Reentry, Redemption & Restoration: The Challenges of Reentry for People on the Registry

In partnership and collaboration with the Justice Reform Partnership and Restore Georgia., a Georgia nonprofit that advocates for Georgia's impacted by Georgia's sex offense laws, please join us for a conversation to hear about the challenges of a successful reentry of people forced to register and how these barriers also affect their families. 

This webinar is part of the “Talk Justice Tuesday” series that is a collaborative effort of the Justice Reform Partnership, a coalition of over 90 organizations and individuals working to advance meaningful criminal and juvenile justice reforms across Georgia through advocacy, education, and policy change that aims to support and amplify the voices of justice-impacted individuals and drive policy change.

July 12th. 2pm EST. Zoom. 
Financial Tracking for Entrepreneurs 

This is the last of our FREE and virtual series aimed at helping entrepreneurs track their revenue and expenses with Google Sheets & Excel. NOTE: This session was previously scheduled for June 28th at 9am.

If you missed the previous sessions, you can watch them on our YouTube page at the links below:

  • Session 1 (Basics of Google Sheets) was not recorded 
  • Session 2 (Excel Basics). Watch the recording on our YouTube page here. 
  • Session 3 (Excel & Google Sheets Charts & Graphs). Watch the recording here.
  • Session 4 (Excel & Google Sheets Tables and Pivot Tables. Watch the YouTube recording here.
  • Session 5 (Excel and Google Sheets Formulas & Functions. Watch the YouTube recording here.
  • Session 6 (Excel Advanced Tools). Watch the YouTube recording here.

July 14th (11am) & July 17th (6pm) Zoom. 
Fulton Co. Expungment & Pardon Info Session with Deputy DA Ramona Toole

If you have charges out of Fulton Co.'s superior court, please join us as we welcome Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Ramona Toole for a 1 hour session to give you an overview of the eligibility and steps to getting your record restricted (expunged) or get a pardon.

There will be TWO sesssions giving the same info. 

Click here to register for the July 14th 11AM session.

July 21st. 4pm. Zoom. 
An Introduction to First Step Alliance's  Fresh Start Programs:  Financial Education, Banking and Entrepreneurship.

Join us as we introduce you to our new partner, First Step Alliance, as they give an overview of their Fresh Start Programs that provide justice-impacted individuals with tailored financial education on banking basics, credit building, identity theft, budgeting, and practical entrepreneurship training. 

The Fresh Start Programs empower participants to create a path to financial stability and economic independence. Please join us to hear about their programs and how you can connect with their programs and trainings through our new partnership. 

Guest: Joel Keyser, Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) & Community Advisory Board Chair of First Step Alliance (who happens to be formerly incarcerated)

ATLANTA, GA.

July 19th. Cabbagetown. 12pm.
FREE & OPEN TO ALL

Networking & Business Expo event to Support Justice Impacted & Formerly  Incarcerated Entrepreneurs  
(Cabbagetown Community Center)
RSVP by July 11th.

BECAUSE THIS IS A BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT AND THERE MAY BE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPACE WITH RESTRICTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

Are you a justice impacted or formerly incarcerated business owner seeking to network woth other entrepreneurs with with shared lived experiences? Are you an ally seeking to support justice impacted business owners? If so, join us for our 1st annual Networking & Business Expo to support justice impacted and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs. 

Attendees will: 

  • network with other impacted entrpreneurs
  • enjoy 
  • get valuable resources to help you start or grow your business such as how to create a business plan, tips to effective marketing and tips on how to transition from personal credit to business credit. 

Collaborative partners: Cabbagetown Initiative, Taking Charge Consulting, LLC. (FIP owned), the National Association of Formerly Incarcerated Business Owners (NAFIBO, FIP Owned) and Project Restart. 

This event is sponsored by 

Heavy hors d'oeuvres and refreshments catered by Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. (a justice impacted owned business)  

Click here to RSVP for the free networking event.

July 19th. Apply to be a vendor.

Although the event is free and open to all, vendors MUST be justice impacted or formerly incarcerated. 

Vendor fees must be paid by July 11th at 5pm in one of the ways found here.

Are you a justice impacted or formerly incarcerated business owner seeking to network with other entrepreneurs with with shared lived experiences? Are you an ally seeking to support justice impacted business owners? Are you a formerly incarcerated person (FIP) seeking to connect with other FIPs? 

If so, join us in Atlanta (Cabbagetown) on Saturday, July 19th, at noon to network, enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and support justice impacted entrepreneurs and their businesses. There will be cash giveaways. 

Collaborative partners: Cabbagetown Initiative, Taking Charge Consulting, LLC. (FIP owned), the National Association of Formerly Incarcerated Business Owners (NAFIBO, FIP Owned) and Project Restart. 

This event is sponsored by 

Click here to RSVP by July 11th to be a vendor. 

July 31st. Ellenwood. 10am.

Criminal Record Friendly Job & Resource Fair
(County Line-Ellenwood Library)

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Although this event is open to the public and those who may not have a criminal record, 100% of the employers and resource providers present will have opportunities, services and programs open to those impacted by an arrest or conviction. 

There will be a cash giveaway so be sure to sign in. 

This event is sponsored by 

PAST EVENTS

Photos of all events hosted by us can be found on the Gallery's page.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 5/18/25. Columbus, GA. Sunday Worship & FREE Lunch for Mothers with Incarcerated Children.

We partnered with Mind of Christ Ministries Intl for a special worship event to support mothers of currently (and formerly) incarcerated children who experienced an empty seat at the table this past Mother's Day and later treated the mothers and their families to dinner to connect them to Dr. Jaketra Bryant, a certified family therapist who works with families impacted by mass incarceration and the effects of carceral separation.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 4/29/25. 10am-12pm.
Second Chance Job & Resource Fair.  Hosted By the Metropolitan Career Center.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to connect with us and hear about our services and the 2nd chance resources we share on our social media pages. We hope to see you soon and good luck in your job search!

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. April 26, 2025. 10a-2p. Columbus, GA. (non-conviction) Record Restriction Clinic. Co-hosting & Partnering with GA Legal Services & other Columbus Partners.

If you missed this event and have nonvictions on your criminal record from Muscogee County or other Georgia counties, and woul dlike to see how GLSP can possibly assist you with restricting your criminal record, contact them by visiting their website at www.glsp.org

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 4/23/25. Zoom. 6p. 
April 23, 2025. 6pm EST. Zoom. Lets Talk about Fibroids: The Injustice of Inaccessible Health & Feminine Care For Incarcerated Women.

If you missed our April 23rd discussion on the INjustices of Inaccessible Health and Feminine Care for Incarcerated Women (in partnership with the HOAPE Coalition) you can watch the recording on our YouTube page here. Be sure to like, subscribe and watch our other helpful videos while there.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 4/17/25. Zoom. 6p. 
Protecting & Preparing: Demonstrating Love Through Life Insurance, Wills & Child Safety Kits

If you missed our conversation with American Income Life's Insurance agent Renee Turnipseed, about AIL's life insurance plans and free products such as wills and child safety kits (free with no plan purchase required), you can watch the recording on our YouTube page here. 

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. April 16, 2025. 8am-3pm. Augusta, GA.
Second Chance Conference hosted by our partners at ReNForce. 

If you missed this event in Augusta and would like to connect with ReNforce and their reentry partners and service providers in the Augusta area, visit their website at www.renforce.org to contact them.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 4/8/25. Zoom. 6p. 
2nd Chance Housing: Securing Housing with a Criminal Record &/or Eviction

If you missed our conversation with Licensed Real Estate Agent, Markisha Foster, about how she can help you obtain housing with a criminal record or an eviction, you can watch the recording on our YouTube page here. 

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 4/8/25. Zoom. 6p. 
Avoiding Burnout, Surviving Triumph. Hosted by the Justice Reform Partnership.

If you missed JRP's April 8th event that discusses ways advocates and activists can remain healthy, whole and committed to protecting our wellbeing so we can remain effective, watch the YouTube recording here.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. 3/11/25. Zoom. 6p. Post Crossover Review. Hosted by the Justice Reform Partnership.

If you missed JRP's March 11th event that gave an overview of what bills crossed over on cross over day and may become law, you can watch the recording here. 

APPLICATIONS CLOSED. Classes start March 8th. FREE Paid Digital Literacy Course. Decatur, GA. 

In partnership with the the William Chapel-William C. Brown Library of the Dekalb Co. Library System, we launched a PAID digital literacy training to support justice involved Georgians with digital literacy. To learn more about the program, requirements and to apply, click here. 

*Stipends for this program are provided with support of grant funding received from Heising-Simons and A New Way of Life in partnership with the HOAPE Coalition.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

2/25/25. Justice Day at the Capitol. Atlanta. 

If you missed this year's Justice Day  to connect with justice reform advocates, hear informative panels, attend engaging workshops, learn about pending good and bad laws or go to the capitol to speak with your legislator, you can watch the recap on YouTube here and you can access all of the slides and handouts (including ours on advocating for an incarcerated loved one's care and safety) at justicereformpartnership.org/justicedayresources. To see photos from the event, visit the gallery.

 

 

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

2/18/25. 6p. Zoom. Recap of the 2/13/25 Record Restriction Clinic Townhall & Informational. 

No recording available. If you have questions about record restricting your NON convictions out of Muscogee Co,, contact the Columbus office of Georgia Legal Services Program located at 233 12th Street, Suite 910, Columbus, GA 31902. Phone: 706 649-7493. 

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
2/11/25. 6p-8p. EST. Zoom. Talk Justice Tuesday "Caught In-Between: Youth and the Criminalization of Immigration". Hosted by Justice Reform Partnership.

On Feb. 11, 2025, the Justice Reform Partnership hosted a virtual webinar featuring criminal, juvenile, and immigration legal advocates where they discussed current threats of deportation and crack downs on immigration. You can watch the recording here.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
November 18, 2024. 7:30pm EST. Virtual. 
Our Founder was Expert Panelist 

Our founder, Waleisah Wilson-Menefee, was one of the expert panelists on Restorative Action Alliance's webinar "Reimagining Belonging: A Panel Discussion on Restorative Practices in the Faith Community" that delved into how the spiritual and faith communities respond to individuals affected by the criminal legal system, particularly those on sexual conviction registries. 

The virtual discussion covered topics such as inclusivity, the varying treatments within congregations, and the barriers and reentry challenges faced by people returning home from incarceration with attending worship services (i.e. being asked to not attend or return, conducting background checks on visitors, denying people on the registry from attending a loved one's funeral or their own wedding if it is being held at a place of worship, etc.) with the goal of exploring how faith communities can respond thoughtfully and compassionately to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, including those convicted of sex charges.  

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. No recording available.
November 14, 2024. 6pm EST. Virtual Screening & Discussion. 

We welcomed Tabatha Trammell, a nonprofit founder, justice reform advocate, prison doula, filmmaker and one our board of directors, for "Best Practices to Achieve Post-Incarceration Success with a Mental Illness or Living with a Substance Use Disorder,  a virtual screening & discussion where we screened her new short documentary, "Mama, I'm Different" (an intimate story about the effects of undiagnosed mental illness at the intersection of—and compounded by—addiction and criminalization) and listened as she discussed her challenges and success as a formerly incarcerated woman living with a mental illness and in long term recovery and best practices and tips on how to be successful after incarceration while living and thriving with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder.

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
November 2, 2024. Columbus, GA. Canvassing with Fair Count to Get Out the Vote for the Nov. 5th Election

In partnership with Fair Count, on 11/2/24 in Columbus, GA, our Board Director, Andrea, led our team of canvassers on another very productive GOTV door to door canvassing effort to make sure Muscogee County residents make it to the polls on Nov. 5th.

Special thanks to Fair Count for their partnership and for supporting our GOTV work through their mini grant funding. 

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
October 26, 2024. Columbus, GA. Canvassing with Fair Count

In partnership with Fair Count, on 10/26/24 in Columbus, GA, our Board Director, Andrea, led our team of canvassers on another very productive GOTV door to door canvassing effort to make sure Muscogee County residents get their civic voices heard by reminding them to vote early or make it to the polls on Nov. 5th.

Special thanks to Fair Count for their partnership and for supporting our GOTV work through their mini grant funding. #hoape4ga

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
October 26, 2024. Atlanta, GA. Tabled at the Vote in My Honor Rally 

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, board directors Shanequa and Sharon G and our canvassing team, tabled at the Vote in My Honor Rally to connect with citizens to get out the vote. The event was hosted by the Rights Restoration Coalition of Georgia and dedicated to discussing the restoration of voting rights for justice impacted individuals in our community and encouraging those that can vote to vote in their honor! #hoape4ga

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
October 19, 2024. Columbus, GA. Canvassing with Fair Count

In partnership with Fair Count, on 10/19/24 in Columbus, GA, our Board Director, Irma, led our team of canvassers on a very productive GOTV outreach effort where they knocked on over 125 doors and engaged with Muscogee County residents, encouraging them to make it to the polls to cast their vote by Nov. 5th.

Special thanks to Fair Count for their partnership and supporting our work through their mini grant funding. #hoape4ga

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
October 17, 2024. Hapeville, GA. 6pm-8pm. Mother's Healing & Restorative Justice Dinner. Invitation only.

In partnership with the Southern Center for Human Rights, Georgia Justice Project, Women on the Rise and Woman With a Plan, on October 17, 2024 from 6p-8pm, we hosted a "Mother's Circle" for formerly incarcerated (or pregnant) mothers and caregivers to introduce attendees to restorative justice, restorative justice circles and how they can beneficial in healing and restoring relationships between them and their children or nurture those that have been repaired.

The restorative dialogue was facilitated by Dr. Spencer Murray and discussion topics included shared challenges and traumas of being separated from their children, interventions of the foster care system, the challenges (and successes) of reunification, the journey of rebuilding the maternal bond after release and next steps.

Catering was provided by Down Home Southern Catering, LLC.

 

 

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER. September 27, 2024. Columbus, GA. 6pm-8pm. Tabling at Recovery on the River Community Resource Fair.

We are proud to have been a sponsor or New Horizons Behavioral Health's Recovery on the River Community Resource Fair that was scheduled for 9/27/24 but unfortunately due to the weather from Hurricane Helene, the event has been cancelled. No rescheduled day has been set.  

September 22, 2024. Atlanta, GA. 2pm-4pm. Our founder's film screening hosted by EMI Georgia. THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

September 22, 2024. 2p-4p. Atlanta, GA. Screening & Discussion. Hosted by End Mass Incarceration GA Network. On Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 2p-4p, EMI GA Network hosted a FREE in-person screening and discussion of our founder, Waleisah's film "Working in Captivity: A Woman's Quest to End Slavery in Georgia" who is also the lead of the GA chapter of All of Us or None that is currently campaigning to demand that Georgia change its current law that legalizes slavery for people who are convicted of a crime via incarceration and/or probation. 

This event has passed. Our founder moderated New Disabled South's panel about Disability, Reentry and Voter Disenfranchisement in the South.

On September 10, 2024, New Disabled South & New Disabled South Rising hosted "Criminalization of Disability: The Reality of Re-entry and Voter Disenfranchisement in the South". This 1 hour discussion feature info on the programs (or lack thereof) for formerly incarcerated disabled folks and the campaigns that work to return the right to vote to those who were formerly incarcerated. 

Waleisah spoke about her personal challenges as a disabled voter, a black voter AND as a formerly incarcerated voter and will moderate the discussion with a panel of voter rights advocates,  which included our HOAPE Coalition ally, Page Dukes. 

In case you missed it, you can watch the Facebook live stream at https://www.facebook.com/NewDisabledSouth/videos/832661872378541

This event has passed.  Our founder was a guest panel expert at NACDL's 23rd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference. 

In her role as board chair of Restore Georgia, a Georgia nonprofit that serves as a collective voice to advocate for Georgians impacted by the state's sex registry, our founder, Waleisah Wilson-Menefee, spoke on the "Reframing the Discourse: Shifting Perspectives in Sex Offense Policy and Legislation" panel where they discussed the critical issues in criminal justice reform pertaining to sex offenses and delved into the complexities, controversies, and recent developments in this vital area of reform.

In case you missed it, you can watch her Facebook live stream here. We are always proud of our founder's bold leadership, her tell it like it is approach and he ALL inclusive advocacy style. Thank you Waleisah for your advocacy and willingness to stand up against injustice and oppression of ALL people!

Thanks to all who attended and supported our July 2024 #GAReentryAwareness Month events. You can see video recaps here.

July 20, 2024. Atlanta. Free Dinner & Fellowship for Justice-Impacted & Formerly Incarcerated People & Families. You can watch the video recap here. 

Congrats to Sandra T. for winning 1st prize ($150) in the arts contest & to Porshia for winning $25 for best button!

The purpose of this annual event is to emphasize the importance of formerly incarcerated people being in community with others with shared, lived experiences who have been successful in their own reentry! Peer mentorship is critical inside of jails and prisons and one released and has many benefits that include: 

1. Being a part of positive social networks prevent recidivism 

2. Being a part of positive social networks puts one in close proximity of positive role models that can also offer support in many areas

Activities included:

Catering was provided by Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. (a justice-impacted caterer)

This event was sponsored by the Cabbagetown Initiative, the Heising-Simons Foundation, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, Restore Georgia, Taking Charge Consulting, LLC., Pro Med Consulting, LLC, Beauty & Body by Egypt & Elysium Consulting, LLC. and was in partnership with the HOAPE Coalition and Page Dukes.

July 1, 2024. Ballots & Bites (Voter Education & Dinner). Columbus. 4pm-7pm. You can watch the video recap here.

Our #GAReentryAwarenessMonth2024 kickoff voter education event in Columbus, GA on July 1st was a success! Thanks to all who came out to hear about the great work we and our partners Fair Count & VoteRiders do to educate and keep citizens civically engaged, especially those with a felony who didn't know that they could vote (as long as they are not on paper). Special thanks to our board members Andrea & Kelton for attending, to KJB Designs for decorating the space, to our sponsors Heising-Simons Foundation, A New Way of Life and Pro Med Consulting, LLC. and to Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. for catering the event and to the HOAPE coalition for your partnership.

Just a reminder that the last day to register to vote in the General Election is October 7th, early voting runs from Tuesday, October 15th through Friday, November 1st and election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.

- To learn more about voting with a felony in GA, visit click here and  www.nlscoinc.org/voting and register to attend our July 30th virtual event "Voting with a Felony in GA: Reclaim Your Vote" here.

- Visit www.vote-365.org to learn more about elections

- Visit www.faircount.org/events for ways to get involved

- If you need a voter ID, and ID, birth certificate, marriage or divorce decree to support you in your effort to vote, visit www.voteriders.org.

April, 10, 2024. 3pm. Columbus, GA
 Goodwill Career Center 
(Bldg. B, rooms 2 & 3) 
2601 Cross Country Drive 

We partnered with the Columbus Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Fair Count, Vote Riders and GA Equality;s TransAction GA to share info with attendees about redistricting, absentee and provisional ballots, new voter laws and procedures in Columbus and in the state, voting with a criminal conviction, early termination of probation, voting as a trans Georgian and more that equipped attendees with becoming a more informed voter. 

July 30, 2024. Virtual. Reclaim Your Vote: Voting with a Felony in Georgia & Early Probation Termination . This event has passed. You can watch the recording here. Georgia Justice Project gave info on:

  • who can and can’t vote in Georgia
  • why you should vote
  • how you may be able to vote in Georgia with a felony
  • what to do if you are on probation
  • what to do if you owe fines, fees and/or restitution
  • how to vote if you are in jail
  • hear about how you may be able to terminate your probation early
  • how to get a pardon
  • how to request a certificate of sentence completion

This event was in partnership with Georgia Justice Project and the HOAPE Coalition.

July 17, 2024. VIRTUAL. 4pm EST. Challenges of Reentry for Special Populations. You can watch the recording here.

This virtual panel discussion addressed the inequities in accessing resources for formerly incarcerated people who are:

  • Older
  • Trans
  • Living with a Mental Illness or Substance Dependency
  • Impacted by the Sex Off***er Registry

Guest presenters:

- Chanel Haley, Director of Education & Community Engagement at Georgia Equality's TransAction GA

- Shanequa Bonvillain, Street Medicine Case Manager at Mercy Care & a Child of Formerly Incarcerated Parent

- Denny Chan, Managing Director of Equity Advocacy at Justice in Aging

- Tabatha Trammell, Founder of a Woman With a Plan

- Pete Profiteer, Board Director of Restore Georgia & serial tech entrepreneur 

This is event was sponsored by:

NARSOL 2024 Conference speakers announced! Our founder is the Sunday (June 23rd) keynote! 

Our founder and Board President, Waleisah Wilson, was one of the key note speakers at this year's NARSOL (Nat'l Association for Rational Sex Offense Laws) conference. Her speech "Where's the Mercy: Balancing Justice & Common Sense" engaged the thoughts of those in attendance of topics such as grace, mercy, forgiveness and common sense when engaging with, providing services to and integrating with men, women and children living on the sex off***er registry and addressing the barbaric, oppressive and counterproductive laws and policies that cause more harm to communities than keep us safe. 

The conference was sold out! You can read the summary wrap up here.

Planning for next year’s conference is already underway. It will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 26-29, 2025. You can register with the Super Early Bird Registration price by clicking here.

April, 4, 2024. 9a-1pm. Columbus, GA
 
Day reporting Center
334 2nd Avenue

Board member Andez tabled at this event to share our services and  educated attendees who were on & off probation of their possible right to vote in Georgia. 

July 24, 2024. Decatur. 6pm. Reentry & Education. 

To address the disparity of access to education for people impacted by the criminal legal system and/or returning home from incarceration & the role access to education plays to a successful reentry, NewLife-Second Chance Outreach, Inc. partnered with the DeKalb Co. Library for a focus group and discussion on: 

  1. Education & literacy (reading ability)
  2. Digital Equity (computer & technology skills)
  3. Financial Literacy & Wellness (access to banking and budgeting tools)
  4. Voter Education

Dinner was provided and there were cash giveaways.

This event was sponsored by the Dekalb Co. Library System, the Heising-Simons Foundation, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, Restore Georgia, Taking Charge Consulting, LLC., Pro Med Consulting, LLC, Beauty & Body by Egypt & Elysium Consulting, LLC. and was in partnership with the HOAPE Coalition.

July 5, 2024- Grocery Giveaway, Douglasville, GA. 5pm-6pm. In partnership with Blessings Working Together for their First Friday Grocery Giveaway, we gave away groceries AND cash gift cards to 10 justice-involved or formerly incarcerated individuals or heads of households. 

While waiting 1-2.5 hrs in line to start "shopping", NL-SCO, Inc. volunteers and board members informed them of their voter rights, informed them that Georgians with felonies can vote as long as the were not on probation and parole and gave them instructions and resources on how to check their voter status, their polling location and to register online. They engaged with over 150 people during that time. 

Special thanks to our board members, Waleisah & Shanequa, and to our volunteers, Meeko & Mr. Coffee for your commitment to give freely on this day to travel over an hour to make our portion of the event happen for those we serve. From traveling to shopping and assembling bags to unloading, distributing bags and engaging with voters, you all are very appreciated. 

This event was sponsored by Pro Med Consulting, LLC. & Kroger. 

You can see a video recap of the event here.

June 15, 2024. 10a-2pm. Atlanta (Mechanicsville). Board members, Waleisah, Chay and Shanequa tabled at New Georgia Project's F.I.R.E. event on Saturday, June 15th, in Mechanicsville to provide voter education and voting restoration info to formerly incarcerated community members. In addition to voter education, they gave info on voter disenfranchisement, facts to clear up the myth that a felony or fines, fees or restitution keeps you from voting in GA and gave info on how to cancel a voter registration to those on parole or felony probation who had previously registered to vote. #VoterEducation #RestoreTheVote

April 1, 2024. 8pm EST. 
  In case you missed our founder's April 8th's Impostrix Podcast appearance (S2E10) "Building a Career After Incarceration" where she discussed how she navigated barriers to reentry (including imposter syndrome), her career journey, starting 2 businesses after her release from prison and her work as a criminal justice reform activist and agitator. 

Click to listen to the podcast 

Click to watch on YouTube

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