Photo: Vince Dalton
The new Safer Foundation mural honoring U.S. Representative Danny Davis and his work on reentry for citizens with arrest and conviction records has been designed and sealed.
The 3,500 square-foot mural, located on the Safer Foundation’s Community Office building at 808 S. Kedzie Ave., East Garfield Park, has been painted by lead artist Janel Young and her team. The mural received a sealant coating on June 21.
In addition, the Safer Foundation building will undergo light renovations to its façade and lobby area and will be renamed as The Safer Foundation-Danny K. Davis – Second Chance Center. This building, situated in the 7th district, offers a comprehensive range of reentry services including education, training, employment, housing, and behavioral health support. Rep. Davis has represented this district since 1997.
“Rep. Davis has been a strong advocate for the West Side of Chicago and residents of neglected communities throughout his career,” said Victor Dickson, president and CEO of the Safer Foundation. “Even before his political career began, he provided community services out of this very same building that we’re installing the mural on. As Congressman, Rep. Davis has fought especially hard to bring very necessary resources to people with records, remove barriers to successful reentry and ensure pathways to careers.”
Rep. Davis sponsored the national Second Chance Act of 2007, enabling federal grants for essential programs and system reforms to enhance the reentry process. Signed into law on April 9, 2008, the Second Chance Act was reauthorized in 2019. Over $1 billion in grants have been distributed to grantees, including Safer Foundation, in 49 states since 2009. As a result, over 100,000 returning citizens have accessed crucial services such as training, employment, treatment, and other support to aid their successful reintegration into society.
“Rep. Davis worked on securing bipartisan support for the Second Chance Act several years before it passed in 2008,” Dickson said. “At a time when no one was advocating to assist returning residents, Rep.
Davis was successful in bringing this issue to the forefront of the national agenda.”
In addition to the Second Chance Act, Rep. Davis is acknowledged by the Safer Foundation for sponsoring legislation that established federally qualified health centers to serve underserved communities. Consequently, the Safer Foundation provides the Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative, offering comprehensive wraparound services, including healthcare connections for returning citizens.
The mural designer, Janel Young, originally from Pittsburgh and now residing in Chicago, has gained widespread recognition and accolades for her vibrant artwork that has adorned the city. She designed a Black History logo for Yahoo! in 2021 and had her artwork featured in the 2020 U.S. Open Tennis Championship. Young expressed her honor in designing the mural featuring Rep. Davis.
“It’s a great honor honestly. It’s something where you can feel how tangible the impact is. The things that he has accomplished in his life and being able to see the fruition of his work I think is really incredible,” said Young, a Bridging Fellow and Penn State University alumna who advocates for social change, racial and environmental justice and for artists.
“I’m just really honored to be able to play a small part in helping others see what he’s done and hopefully making people curious about who he is.”
About Post Author
