ReEvolution

Found inspiration in each other and our shared mission at our staff retreat earlier this month - the perfect opportunity to connect, reflect, and share ✨

Friday night was the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual Justice Conference, Beyond the Bars, at Columbia University. Our very own Parker Chamberlin was a presenter in a panel discussion about creating People First Reentry Homes that are communities of trust, vulnerability, accountability, support, and autonomy, challenging the current carceral reentry housing system and thinking.

ReEvolution updated their business hours.

ReEvolution updated their address.

We began facilitating at CIW - our first (and hopefully not last) women’s institution. We’re providing a stellar two programs there, our Junior Mentor program and our Restorative Mentor Training program. Shout out to our rockstar team of facilitators - AK, Barbara, Cirese, Claudell, and Howard - for their effort, compassion, and commitment.

“Going into CIW is true soul work. The ability to heal with, for, and among women has a power all its own. The ladies at CIW are ready to expand into a journey in which self-empowerment lends the most benefit. Some have been in over 30 years and others are new to creating and finding their true selves. At every stage of life, our ReEvolution can begin. This is just the beginning of a great journey.” - Co-lead facilitator, Cirese

“Humbled to share a healing circle with 45 incarcerated women and non-binary folks. In the heartbreak of this world and the viscid violence we share as humans - which moves faster than I can process alone - I feel honored to sit in restorative practice with such a powerful group of beings. I am reminded of the wisdom of those locked up and silenced inside prison. Wisdom that nurtures and restores me. Wisdom like Mycelium, once free from concrete restraints, has the power to unify and liberate. Blessed to begin this yearlong journey together.” - Co-lead facilitator, AK

Say “hello” to our Junior Mentor facilitators at Ironwood State Prison, Lance and Manny! These two young men bring years of lived experience, wisdom, and most importantly, passion, to the table – exactly what is needed in this work.

“Visiting my brothers was a cathartic experience, knowing just a few years prior I sat in similar programs working toward release. It was a beautiful experience to be of service providing curriculum that can provide insight, empowerment, and skillsets for these individuals that can be utilized to extricate them from incarceration. It was an honor to provide them with the hope that we can thrive as free citizens.” - Manny

“There were a lot of emotions as the participants reflected on the time they had served and shared intentions for the time they had left. We spoke about the opportunity these young men have to take that time and make the best of it, learning new skills and seeking the self-discovery necessary to experience true freedom one day.” - Lance

To learn more about what we do and how you can support this transformative work, check out the link in our bio.

Last week we graduated the first cohort of participants of our technical training, addressing the essentials of technical literacy so vital in an increasingly digital world. Combined, our participants were incarcerated over 100 years. Their willingness to dive headfirst into a realm so unfamiliar is truly admirable.

“Most of the men I’m sitting with right now, and have gone on this journey with, served extremely long sentences and had little to no exposure to technology prior to their release. Over the weeks, it has warmed my heart to witness firsthand increased comfort and ease in using technology – the doors to a new universe of knowledge opened. Claudell picked up a shortcut sure to be handy in his ongoing studies, using ctrl + f to locate key terms and concepts. Ahmad, as one of his very first emails, thanked me for my efforts as co-instructor. Donte, the youngest of our participants, submitted an internship application over the web and became a co-instructor in his own right. Last but not least, Randy drafted a resume on Google Docs! Hats off to my co-instructor Rafa, for developing a curriculum that was intentional, meeting our participants where they’re at, and for providing individualized attention that I know made all the difference.” - T. Jimenez

ReEvolution is upping its prevention game! We’ve kicked off a program geared toward system-impacted youth at McKinley Institute of Technology in San Mateo County. Quarterly restorative workshops will focus on bullying, human trafficking, conflict resolution, gang prevention, life skills, and substance use.