Walking in Their Shoes: Bringing Re-entry Challenges to Life
Every April, Second Chance Month serves as a national reminder of the importance of giving individuals with criminal records the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This year, in a bold and meaningful act of awareness and empathy, Awake partnered with Social Purpose Corrections and Coffee for a Cause to host a ReEntry Simulation. This immersive experience allowed local business owners and community members to feel, firsthand, the overwhelming complexities of life after incarceration.
Held in honor of Second Chance Month, the event invited participants to take on the identity of someone recently released from prison. With just 30 days to secure housing, find a job, meet probation requirements, and navigate the maze of social services, each decision carried weight, and every obstacle felt real. In an intentional and unique twist, every simulated experience was facilitated by a formerly incarcerated member of the Awake team. This was powerful for attendees and Awake volunteers.
What unfolded was more than just a simulation; it was a profound shift in perspective. Attendees were met with long lines, confusing paperwork, transportation struggles, and the constant threat of falling through the cracks, just as many returning citizens face in real life. The takeaway was clear: reentry is anything but straightforward, and the support needed to succeed goes far beyond the moment of release.
“We wanted participants to feel what it’s like to try and do the ‘right thing,’ but still come up short because of a system that’s stacked against you,” said one organizer from Awake. “It’s not about sympathy—it’s about understanding, and from there, building real solutions.”
The event also sparked powerful conversations. Small business owners considered how their hiring practices could open doors instead of closing them. Community leaders began thinking more critically about how resources are—or aren’t—accessible. And many left with a deeper commitment to advocacy and action.
In a time when one in three Americans has a criminal record, and the barriers to reentry often fuel cycles of poverty and recidivism, initiatives like this matter more than ever. Awake and Social Purpose Corrections are helping to change the narrative—not just by telling stories, but by letting people live them
Because second chances shouldn’t be the exception—they should be the expectation.
If you’re interested in hosting your own ReEntry Simulation or having one of our team members speak at your next event, please reach out to us at Jmason@awakewdc.com. We’d love to partner with you to bring this impactful experience to your community.
By Jessica Coz