Second Chance Month: From Proclamation to Possibility

STRIVE Birmingham Fresh Start students in Construction training, 2026

As Second Chance Month comes to a close, we are reflecting not only on the stories of transformation we have witnessed across the STRIVE network, but also on the systems-level change that makes those transformations possible.

This year, that reflection brings us to the great state of Alabama, where leadership, advocacy and community organizing came together in a powerful way. Through the efforts of local leaders and changemakers, including STRIVE’s own Indy Easley, Program Manager of Fresh Start in Birmingham, April has been officially recognized as Second Chance Month across the state of Alabama by proclamation of Governor Kay Ivey.

This milestone on the path towards justice and equity for returning citizens is more than symbolic. It represents what happens when lived experience, leadership development and strategic action come together to drive change.

From Fellowship to Frontline Advocacy

Indy’s journey to this moment began with her participation in JustLeadershipUSA’s Leading with Conviction Fellowship in 2023. Through that experience, she strengthened her leadership skills, engaged in national advocacy efforts and collaborated with a network of leaders committed to advancing equity in the reentry space.

The fellowship emphasized person-centered language, team coaching and the importance of engaging local political stakeholders. Indy continues to use these tools in her work and to influence change in her community.

When Indy joined STRIVE, we recognized and supported her as a leader with both vision and lived expertise. That investment is now creating ripple effects that extend beyond the classroom and into policy and public awareness.

Quiwintre Frye (Executive Director, STRIVE Birmingham) and Indy Easley (Fresh Start
Program Manager, STRIVE Birmingham) with Second Chance Month Proclamation, 2026

Turning Advocacy into Action

Building on her fellowship experience and ongoing involvement with JustLeadershipUSA, as a Leading with Conviction alumni residing in Alabama, earlier this year Indy was invited to serve as the requestor for the proclamation as part of JLUSA's drive to declare April as Second Chance month in all 50 states.

Additionally, Indy serves as a representative of STRIVE while working with the Birmingham Reentry Alliance, of which STRIVE Birmingham is a proud member, in support of their advocacy for formal recognition of Second Chance Month in the City of Birmingham.

This week, a proclamation was presented at a Birmingham City Council meeting, where the Alliance was recognized by the Mayor and City Council. The proclamation included STRIVE Birmingham, helping elevate the visibility of reentry-focused workforce programs and the communities they serve.

This is what systems change looks like in action. It means showing up, building coalitions and ensuring that the voices of impacted communities help shape policy.

Bringing the Moment Back to the Classroom

At STRIVE, we believe advocacy must translate into opportunity, awareness and empowerment for the people we serve.

Indy takes advantage of real-time milestone moments like these to educate Fresh Start students on how their lived experience combined with strategic advocacy can generate real change in policy and action. During a recent conversation with current students about the significance of Second Chance Month, they discussed the meaning behind it and why it matters.

“One student shared they never really thought about proclamations before, but after hearing what it meant and how it came to be, they have a better understanding of how decisions get made when people speak up, it’s not just politicians talking,” said Indy.

Students were inspired to see how organizing, networking and engaging the right channels can lead to tangible outcomes. What once felt distant became real and achievable. The conversation sparked ideas about how grassroots action can influence broader systems and policies.

It was a meaningful teachable moment that reinforced a core STRIVE belief. The people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions.

STRIVE Birmingham Fresh Start students with their Forklift Operator trainer Mac Crane at The Lilly Company, 2026

A Model for Lasting Change

Indy’s leadership reflects how STRIVE drives impact at every level. We support individuals on their path to employment while also playing a role in influencing the systems that shape access to opportunity.

From Birmingham to communities across the country, STRIVE is committed to building pathways to good careers for people facing systemic barriers, including those impacted by the justice system. At the same time, we are investing in leaders who are advancing change within their own communities.

Second Chance Month may be coming to a close, but the work continues. It continues in classrooms, in communities and in policy spaces across the country.

If this moment in Alabama is any indication, lasting change happens when leadership, opportunity and advocacy come together.

To learn more about Fresh Start and Future Leaders job training programs for reentry and justice impacted adults in Birmingham, contact birmingham@strive.org.

About STRIVE

STRIVE is a national workforce development solution for people ready and motivated for a new start. We offer tuition-free skills and job-readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching. We create partnerships with employers that result in pathways to life-changing careers while helping employers close critical gaps in their workforce.