Re-Entry Program Coordinator Shaneka Jones talks to participants at the City’s Re-Entry Lunch and Learn on Monday.

Through the work of  the re-entry services team with the City’s Department of Community Programs, we offer support and resources to formerly incarcerated individuals seeking a second chance. The City of Little Rock’s re-entry services program has helped many Little Rock residents reconnect with families, return to work and rebuild their lives.

On Friday, Aug. 22, we are hosting our Re-entry Job and Resource Fair at West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road. There, justice-impacted Little Rock residents may learn more about potential job opportunities from employers who will be on site. In addition, attendees will have access to many other resources, including information about insurance, affordable housing and driver’s license renewal.

The City’s re-entry coordinators are committed to helping residents make a successful transition, and they do so through professional, individualized assistance to program participants.

Formerly incarcerated residents face multiple barriers when they attempt to rejoin the workforce, and Friday’s job fair is a way to help eliminate those barriers, thus helping reduce recidivism and improving the quality of life for our entire City.

In advance of the job fair, the program hosted a lunch-and-learn Monday to better prepare people for the upcoming job and resource fair as well as for future workforce opportunities. Participants learned more about resume preparation, job interviews and other skills needed for workplace readiness.

Fortunately, the re-entry program works year-round to equip and empower residents through career prep, life skills, and financial readiness training. Learn more on the re-entry web page, and be sure to join us for Friday’s event.

The job and resource fair goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Central.

Join me and artists from across our City for “A Night in the Rotunda” as we build community connections through art. We will debut the temporary art exhibit at City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

City Hall’s second-floor corridors have been transformed into an impressive art gallery with excellent works from homegrown artists. At Wednesday’s event, participants will have the opportunity to talk to the artists and to city officials.

This display is part of our iCreate 2025 art program, as we enhance this public space through art.

At Wednesday’s event, guests will also be able to share ideas, offer input and become more involved in the initiatives we lead across the CIty.

City Hall is at 500 W. Markham St. The event is free and open to the public.

Leading Through Literacy

Donation drive, Imagination Library

ensure access to books

While our students settle into their new year at school, we are reminded that learning starts very early, and that reading to infants and younger children helps develop vital language skills and better prepares them for their first days of Pre-K and kindergarten.

The City of Little Rock proudly partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to promote positive reading habits in early childhood. Little Rock children 5 and younger can receive a free book every month by mail when they are enrolled in the Imagination Library. That means children will own a collection of 60 books by the time they start school.

I appreciate the commitment of our Board of Directors to support early childhood literacy through the Pulaski County Imagination Library. Board members on Tuesday will consider a $75,000 contribution to that program.

Meanwhile, our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs (HNP) is sponsoring a Children’s Book Drive to inspire and encourage Little Rock’s young leaders.

Now through Friday, Aug. 29, you can drop off new and gently-used children’s books at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St., or at any of our Neighborhood Resource Centers.  Our HNP staff will put the books in the hands of children and will promote literacy and a love of learning.

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on this week in the City of Little Rock:

Tuesday, August 19: The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are open to the public, and all meetings are also livestreamed on the City of Little Rock’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Click here to view the agenda.

Wednesday, August 20: Little Rock’s Land Bank Commission meets at noon at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. The Land Bank Commission works to increase home ownership, stabilize property values, and support affordable housing.

Wednesday, August 20: The Animal Services Advisory Board meets at 6 p.m. at the Little Rock Animal Village, 4500 Kramer St.

Thursday, August 21: The Age-Friendly Little Rock Commission will meet at 12:30 p.m. at West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road. This commission identifies needs related to the Little Rock population age 55 and older.

Thursday, August 21: The Little Rock Board of Adjustments, which considers variance requests from the City’s zoning ordinance, meets at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall.