CTAC is proud to announce that one of our grantees, Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) of Rhode Island, has achieved a historic accomplishment. Governor Lincoln Chaffee signed the Ban the Box legislation into law, making Rhode Island the 10th state to ban criminal-history questions on job applications. This victory is the product of many hours, days and months of organizing by DARE members, staff and the community at large.  

DARE leaders explain, "This law will make it possible for thousands of job seekers, who have records, to get their foot in the door by removing the question "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" from job applications and postponing this question until later in the hiring process. But this new law doesn't just remove a question off of a piece of paper. What we did sends a new signal to our state and those with records who are trying to make an honest living: that we are more than a record, that we all have the right to feed our families, and that we have a great deal to offer our communities. And this could not have happened without your hard work!"

Learn more about DARE at www.daretowin.org. If you would like to learn more about our Community Development support and expertise and how CTAC can be a partner with your organization, please visit our website or contact CTAC at (617) 423-1444 or [email protected].