The District of Columbia Office of Returning Citizen Affairs (ORCA) held their Returning Citizens Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 on the grounds of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Southeast. Throughout the day ORCA honored success stories in the community and the audience received powerful testimonies from former Washington Redskins Dexter Manley and University of Illinois football standout Trulon Henry. Both Manley and Henry served time in prison and both have become positive beacons of change within their respected communities. Manley talked about the obstacles he faced and how he overcame many obstacles in his life. As Manley spoke, many in the audience understood and could relate to his plight and the path he has taken to correct his past wrongs.
Trulon Henry, who served five years in prison, also made a powerful impact by reminding people never to defer your dreams. Henry stated that when he was in prison he would work out and do football drills in the prison yard and people would laugh at his dream of playing college football upon his release. He never let go of that dream and now Henry has the last laugh because he went on to become a standout college player and has a good chance of going to the National Football League.
Mayor Vincent Gray, (D) who also spoke at the event, highlighted the need for jobs for the returning citizens population. He raised the issue of many contractors receiving District funds, but not hiring District residents.
"I've heard people talk about the fact that some contractors in the city that don't seem to be pre-disposed to hire some of our people. One thing that I have done, frankly, is said that we're going to step up the enforcement of First Source," Gray said. "What you said to people was, 'You signed a document saying you were going to hire a certain percentage of the people living in the District of Columbia' and when I took office I sent a letter to 22 contractors saying that you are not in compliance, and you are required to come into compliance or you will lose your contract."
Gray went on to say "If you have a contract and you have no intention to fulfill it, or you don't have a contract and you have no intention to fulfill it, you are not going to get the District's money or contracts."