Impact Justice

Did you know that formerly incarcerated people are TEN TIMES more likely to become homeless? The Homecoming Project matches people like John-Michael who are returning from prison with hosts and homeowners in the community who have a spare room and an open heart. It may sound crazy, but to date, we've placed 140 formerly incarcerated people in welcoming host homes. Do you have a spare room in Alameda, Contra Costa, or Los Angeles County? Become a host with the Homecoming Project! You'll have the chance to earn additional income while helping someone get back on their feet when they need it most. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gZB4R6wp.

For Inside Philanthropy, a look at two of the big reasons that #criminaljusticereform funding took a dive. With huge thanks to the many experts who have spoken with me, both in May and more recently. From the piece: "the criminal justice system is a pillar of our democratic society. Right now, it’s a very damaged pillar. The recent, well-publicized trials of a former president and now-convicted felon have made it starkly obvious how much deference the judicial system gives the wealthy. Meanwhile, roughly 50% of Americans have a close relative who has been incarcerated. Many of these people have had the frequently humiliating experience of visiting their loved ones behind bars or have been collateral damage in the “endless trap” of parole. These kinds of experiences — and the vast disparity in outcomes between the rich and the less well off — make the criminal justice system just another institution that Americans have cause to distrust." The bottom line for #philanthropy: either step and fund this sector consistently and energetically, or watch as the progress that has been made so far gets rolled back. Just like with #abortion rights, the monied interests who stand against criminal justice reform aren't going away. Chloe Cockburn Alexander Busansky Funders for Justice Deanna Hoskins Gina Clayton-Johnson Candice Jones Lenore Anderson David Safavian Nick Turner Joshua Hoe Jason Franklin

Roughly half of all Americans have a close relative who has been incarcerated; but after a surge of support between 2018 to 2020, criminal justice reform funding has sharply declined, putting recent gains - and our communities - at risk. Hear from Impact Justice’s Alexander Busansky and other philanthropic and nonprofit leaders in a new piece from Dawn Wolfe for Inside Philanthropy on the causes and impacts of that drop off, and the need for funders and donors to firmly stay the course on change. Chloe Cockburn Just Impact Advisors Funders for Justice JustLeadershipUSA Gina Clayton-Johnson Essie Justice Group Candice Jones Public Welfare Foundation Lenore Anderson Alliance for Safety and Justice

“We say ‘home’ because it’s not prison — but for me, I didn’t have a home. I was just going someplace else.” In recent years, thousands of people have been released from California state prisons with nowhere to go. Our Homecoming Project is turning the tide by recruiting community members across the state to share their homes with people leaving prison as they get back on their feet. Do you have a spare room and an open heart? Consider hosting a Homecoming Participant for six months! You’ll receive a monthly stipend, and have the opportunity to fundamentally change the course of someone’s life — and maybe even your own! Learn more about what it takes to become a host at https://lnkd.in/gZB4R6wp.

An honor to sit in on today's meeting of the Select Committee on Restorative Justice with Tina McKinnor! 👏

As a former prosecutor, IJ's Founder and President Alex Busansky knows all too well the power District Attorneys have to change lives - for better or for worse. Today, we're sitting in with Assemblymember Tina McKinnor and the Select Committee on Restorative Justice in Inglewood, and reflecting on our gratitude to George Gascón for his exceptional efforts to transform our systems for the better, and create a safer and more equitable Los Angeles. We're proud to have partnered with DA Gascon on restorative justice work during his time in San Francisco, and inspired by the work of his office and this Select Committee.

Jobs in prison should prepare people for employment and success after release; but instead, a prison labor-to-poverty pipeline leaves formerly incarcerated people more likely to be unemployed, to lack steady, reliable work, and to have jobs without financial security or upward mobility. After making pennies on the dollar behind bars, formerly incarcerated people make, on average, less than 84 cents for every dollar of the US median wage once back in the community. If we're serious about public safety, people working behind bars must be given opportunities that prepare them to thrive professionally and financially after their release. That means compensating incarcerated workers fairly, keeping them safe on the job, and providing job training programs in high-paying, technical industries.

Welcome home! After 20 years in prison, Larry recently moved into his new room with longtime Homecoming Project host Surville. People leaving prison face major obstacles to success, including obtaining housing. Without the right support, formerly incarcerated people are 10x more likely to become homeless than the general population. By providing people like Larry with a welcoming place to live for the first six months after their release, hosts like Surville are rewriting that story. Learn more about what it takes to host with the Homecoming Project at https://lnkd.in/gZB4R6wp.

As the menopause movement gains traction, we can’t leave incarcerated women behind. A powerful new op ed from Impact Justice’s Aishatu R. Yusuf, MPA in Ms. Magazine today highlights the critical need for better menopause care behind bars, and outlines our work to equip everyone experiencing menopause in prison with the resources they need for the dignity they deserve.

Homelessness in California is on everyone’s minds, but it can be hard - or feel overwhelming - to figure out how you can make a difference. Last week, Long Beach residents came together to learn more about the Homecoming Project, and how their community can be part of a creative solution to the prison-to-homelessness pipeline by opening their hearts and homes to people leaving prison. As the Homecoming Project continues to expand in Los Angeles, here’s what Impact Justice’s Bernadette Butler had to say about the impact new hosts can have: “Many of [our participants] went in when they were 17, 18, 19…They’re like tourists here in a world they do not know, in a decade they do not know.” Angelenos who sign up to host Homecoming Project participants are providing a softer landing for people coming home from prison after decades behind bars; a game-changer for participants who are working hard to get back on their feet. Special thanks to our friends at Page Against the Machine for so warmly allowing us into their space for the evening!