Reclaiming What Was Always Ours: Second Chances in Our Village

April is Second Chance Month, which is a time to recognize the power of redemption, restoration, and the ongoing fight for justice of individuals impacted by incarceration. At It Takes a Village Collaborative (ITAVCollab), this month is not just symbolic. It reflects the work we do every day; building spaces where returning citizens can heal, grow, and redefine their lives on their own terms.
Second chances are often framed as opportunities given. But in our village, we understand them differently. Second chances are not about permission: they are about reclamation. Reclaiming identity. Reclaiming dignity. Reclaiming the right to exist beyond a system that was never designed for our success.

What Second Chances Look Like in Our Village:
At ITAVCollab, second chances take shape through community, healing, and autonomy.
We center the belief that individuals impacted by incarceration are more than the labels placed on them. We also recognize that trauma does not begin or end with incarceration. It often exists before, intensifies during, and continues long after release. Because of this, our work prioritizes holistic healing. We intentionally create space for rest, reflection, and grace throughout the reintegration process.
Our To Be Me (TBM) program is intentionally designed to center wellness for individuals impacted by incarceration, something that is often missing, particularly in the DMV area. TBM is a hybrid cohort experience created specifically for returning citizens and justice-impacted individuals, offering a safe and affirming space to reconnect with self, community, and culturally competent wellness practitioners.

Over the course of 8–12 weeks, participants engage in a holistic journey that prioritizes deep self-care, self-determination, professional development, and community building. The program is rooted in cultural understanding and collective healing, recognizing that transformation happens when individuals feel seen, supported, and safe.

What makes TBM unique is not just what it offers, but how it shows up.
Participants are not treated as problems to be solved, they are recognized as the experts of their own lived experiences. Rather than telling them who to be, we provide the tools, resources, and environment for them to explore who they are and who they want to become. Through strong community partnerships and an emphasis on care, TBM nurtures self-awareness, resilience, and purpose, helping participants build pathways toward sustainable and aligned futures.

Our role is to guide, support, and hold space as individuals navigate life after incarceration, centering healing, self-discovery, and long-term well-being every step of the way.

A Story of Transformation: Markeia Campbell
​Second chances are best understood through the lives of those who walk them.
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​Markeia Campbell’s journey reflects what’s possible when access, support, and community come together.
After connecting at a higher education in prison conference, Markeia became involved with ITAVCollab through Mettleworks and later joined our To Be Me cohort.

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During her time in the program, she actively pursued opportunities for growth, completing training to become a Peer Recovery Support Specialist and later stepping into a role as one of our peer mentors.

Her journey continued to evolve.
With ongoing support and determination, Markeia transitioned from participant to leader. As of March, she now serves as our part-time Outreach and Program Coordinator, helping guide others who are navigating similar paths.
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Her story is a powerful reminder that second chances are not just about starting over, they are about stepping into purpose. When individuals are given the right tools, resources, and community, transformation becomes not only possible, but sustainable.
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Moving Forward Together

Second chances are not a single moment, they are a continuous process of becoming.
At ITAVCollab, we remain committed to building a village where returning citizens are supported not only in surviving, but in thriving. Where healing is prioritized, community is cultivated, and every individual has the opportunity to rewrite their narrative.
Everyone deserves a second chance to begin again, and to do so with dignity, support, and care.