With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Los Angeles Launches Second Program To Help People Leaving The Justice System
Legal office of lawyers, justice and law concept
(
William_Potter/Getty Images
/
iStockphoto
)
Los Angeles County's Justice, Care and Opportunities Department launched its second program to help people entering or leaving the justice system.
The Developing Opportunities and Offering Re-Entry Solutions program, or D.O.O.R.S, is currently virtual, but a brick and mortar location is scheduled to open in Lancaster in Spring 204. The first D.O.O.R.S community center can be found in South L.A.
D.O.O.R.S will help people with housing, employment, legal aid, and education. The program will also connect them with self-help groups and stabilization support.
Retired Judge Songhai Armstead directs the department. She said people often re-enter society and don't know where to begin.
Sponsored message
"Many of them are trying to turn their lives around," she said. "They're trying to figure out how to support themselves and their family, or trying to figure out how they can make a living wage to change the directory of their lives and the lives of those that they love. We're helping, making it easier for folks."
The permanent facility in Lancaster will expand their programs to include family support and advocacy, therapy, and healing through the arts.
“Through D.O.O.R.S., the County has an opportunity to both make a meaningful change in people’s lives and lower recidivism rates. Too many times, justice-involved individuals feel disconnected and isolated,” L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “D.O.O.R.S. can change that by connecting them with viable work opportunities and support so they can permanently turn their lives around.”
You can check out the programs available now at L.A. County’s D.O.O.R.S website.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
