Director for the District of Columbia Recovery Community Alliance (DCRCA), DC Jobs With Justice (DCJWJ) the Mayor’s Commission on Re-entry and Returning Citizens Affairs, and The Re-entry Task Force.

Mr. Stewart grew up in the drug-infested streets of the District of Columbia and struggled with two alcoholic parents in the household. He became a product of the juvenile justice system at the tender age of 9 years old and placed in foster care at 13 years old. Ultimately, this led to his introduction to the revolving door of incarceration until his parole from Lorton Reformatory in 1985. Since returning to the community:

Mr. Stewart has met every single challenge he has faced including drug use. He is an active member of AA, NA and has been drug and alcohol-free for 23 years and sponsors various support groups throughout the Metropolitan area, such as The Reentry Networks Community Focus Group and a weekly peer to peer mentoring group. Mr. Stewart understands that DC is home to about 60,000 people who have had some involvement with the criminal justice system, many of them previously incarcerated for non-violent and minor offenses. Yet, these individuals face many barriers when returning to the community.

Mr. Stewart cares about the quality of life for returning citizens who have paid their debt to society and who should have all their right’s as a US Citizen restored. This includes rights for equal employment, housing, mental health services, public assistance, heads of households and substance use treatment. Mr. Stewart has been fighting and advocating for social justice in DC for the past 20 years and he continues to establish relationships, organize and serve the re-entry community.