FINDLAY, Ohio — April is National Second Chance Month, focusing on the struggles people face after they have been released from prison.
In honor of the month, the third annual Second Chances Awareness Event is April 25 in Findlay.
It's a collaboration between multiple organizations that can help people reenter their community after serving a criminal sentence.
The free event will give attendees access to Hancock County Common Pleas and Findlay Municipal Court personnel, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Hancock County Job and Family Services, Habitat for Humanity's Financial Opportunity Center and more.
"Just come and get some information, maybe get some of their barriers addressed, find out what they need to do to get a job," Cheryl Miller, Community Health Worker for Hancock Public Health said.
Second Chance will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A light lunch is provided and speakers who have traversed the barriers after incarceration will also speak.
All partnering agencies will be on hand with an in-person representative so attendees can connect with everyone they need to in one trip.
"We're all in one location, they can get there, they can see all of the people they need to see, find out what they need to do, and then they're on their way," Miller said.
Along with next week's Second Chance awareness event, Thursday, April 18 is Safe Surrender Day in Findlay. Anyone can come into Municipal Court and work with the court if they have an open warrant.
"The court is wanting the best outcome for everyone. The legal system shouldn't be about keeping people down, it's about helping people up," Miller said. "And so they want to help people get through all of these barriers and be successful."
The Second Chance event will be Thursday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.
Findlay Municipal Court Safe Surrender Day is Thursday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.