Kevin Sibley to lead new Office of Returning Citizens

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Kevin Sibley as Director of the Office of Returning Citizens, a newly formed office that will support the 3,000 individuals who return to Boston after being released from state, federal and county facilities each year, as well as others who were previously incarcerated. As Director, Sibley will work within the Office of Public Safety Initiatives.

Sibley brings over 18 years of experience in human resources, program development and grant funded initiatives specific to the well-being of underserved individuals to his new role.

"The Office of Returning Citizens has the important role of giving individuals a second chance, and building them up with the support they need to reach their full potential," said Mayor Walsh. "Kevin has worked for his entire career as a change agent in his community, working to provide upward pathways for people looking to improve their lives. He is a tremendous asset to our office, and I look forward to our work together to create stronger and safer neighborhoods."

The Office aims to help individuals who have taken healthy steps and prepared themselves to move past the consequences of their past actions, and coordinate the work done by our social service and law enforce partners. This office will incorporate best practices from local, state and federal partners and include a review of similar offices in Washington DC and Philadelphia.

According to The Boston Reentry Study from Harvard University, individuals reentering society need assistance accessing resources to help them find permanent housing and employment. The new Office of Returning Citizens aims to empower men and women reintegrating into their communities to reach full potential as individuals, family members and residents of Boston.

"It is an honor for me to serve as the new Director of the Office of Returning Citizens, bringing my years of experience in helping those reentering society to a citywide level," said Sibley. "I know the power a second chance can have on a person's life, and I look forward to supporting every individual in need of that chance under the leadership of Mayor Walsh."

Mayor Walsh created the Office of Public Safety in 2014 with the mandate of establishing cross-agency and cabinet coordination to tackle the challenging and complex problems in our neighborhoods that lead to and perpetuate violence. Part of the work of the office has included looking at services and opportunities available for individuals that are returning home. The new office will help fill gaps that exist within local, state, federal and county efforts.

Prior to joining the Walsh Administration, Sibley worked as a program coordinator for Street Safe Boston, a public safety initiative by The Boston Foundation, where he worked to reduce youth violence in a subset of Boston affected by high rates of violent crime. He also previously served as the founding Dean of Students for the Home for Little Wanderers, the oldest not-for-profit organization in the country, where he implemented accountability measures and monitored programs and services for behaviorally and emotionally challenged students.

Sibley serves his community as a mentor, and entrepreneur. He is currently the Boston area director for the Kappa League, a national youth development program that teaches young men grades 8-12, career readiness techniques and life skills with a collegiate focus. Sibley served in the United States Army Ordnance Division from 1990 to 1997. He holds a Masters in Business Management from Cambridge College and is an Alumnus of the University of Massachusetts. He currently resides in Dorchester.

For more information on the Office of Public Safety Initiatives, please visit their website.