The mission of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) is to change lives and create safe, healthy communities by providing a support and advocacy network for and by formerly incarcerated men and women. To accomplish this mission, ARC advocates for fair policies in the juvenile and criminal justice systems and provides a supportive network and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals. ARC was founded in 2013 as a peer support network for formerly incarcerated people, serving less than 25 members. While the organization continues to prioritize peer support, ARC is now able to offer comprehensive services, including case management, trauma counseling, housing, education and employment assistance, mentorship, and opportunities for civic engagement. To date, we have over 1,400 active formerly incarcerated members across California and serve over 6,000 men and women still inside prisons and facilities. Over 41,000 people have been impacted by our policy advocacy work. The majority of ARC members live in Los Angeles County, where the organization was founded. In September 2016, ARC opened a second office in Sacramento County, where it serves more than 200 people. Over the past three years, ARC has expanded its network to also include members in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area.
