CHICAGO (AP) — The leader of a Chicago-based organization that works to reduce recidivism rates among former prisoners has been honored by the White House.
Diane Williams is president and CEO of Safer
Foundation.
The White House honored Williams as part of its
"Champion of Change" initiative at a meeting Friday in Washington.
The honor comes for the organization's Safer Return
program, which works to help prisoners make a smooth transition back to their
communities.
Through the program, community members and case
managers visit participants while they're still incarcerated to make re-entry
plans.
Williams says it's gratifying that re-entry
services are capturing national attention.
The White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy hosted Williams and other honorees from across the country to talk about
what strategies are working well in their cities.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
