Support for DC's Previously Incarcerated Youth

As 2022 draws to a close, we are so grateful for how this year has been one for building connections and growing together. After over 2 years of virtual programming, we have been able to finally bring back a hybrid option for in-person programming for our formerly incarcerated members. Members have been able to meet each other and staff in-person, many for the first time since coming home. This is on top of record-breaking participation in our programming, and a continued commitment from members to uplift each other and the community. Thank you for making our work possible!

Members Build Skills And Meaningful Connections

In December, Free Minds hosted our Job Readiness and Personal Skill Building Apprenticeship. 16 members (the majority having spent over 25 years incarcerated since they were young adults) arrived at our office eager to increase their knowledge on a variety of subjects, including career exploration, financial literacy, and digital skills, and find out how they can contribute even more to the community of support that is Free Minds. The Apprentices participated in mock interviews, created a budget, read essays from our third anthology, When You Hear Me (You Hear Us), and wrote and shared poetry aloud. Throughout the week, members heard from special guest speakers about career fields, money management, and most importantly from their fellow Free Minds brothers about their personal experiences since coming home. Their personal experiences reinforce that while the reentry journey is full of challenges, they are not alone when facing them. Free Minds’ Peer Support Specialist Craig shared with members about his own journey of overcoming obstacles to reach forgiveness and healing. Exchanging stories creates strong bonds of trust that are vital for reentry success.

Reentry Book Club Has Record Attendance

Our weekly Reentry Book Club, “The Build Up,” is a unique space where members virtually gather together to uplift each other through reading, group discussions, and community resource sharing. We recently experienced a record attendance, with over 100 members logging on to join us! Members in the book club have been reading and discussing The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler’s Guide to Building Your Empire by Rick Ross. Despite having to overcome obstacles and challenges growing up, Ross never gave up on achieving his goals. In his book, he shares the secrets to his own success and offers a road map for how readers can build their own business empires. Members have found his book profoundly relatable and inspiring in the lived wisdom Ross shares throughout the book. As FM member Michael shared, “This book reminded me there is always another way if you are denied what you are hoping for, and sometimes it works out even better.” When Michael was denied his dream job due to his record, he decided to start his own business, and is much happier. Congratulations to Michael and all the other members who keep pushing through, no matter the obstacles that come their way!

 A Community of Support

The Build Up is just one of the many avenues of peer support for our members. 12 members recently completed our Peer Support Training Program. This program equips members with the knowledge and social emotional skills to provide support to fellow members coming home. Graduates of the program, called “Peer Supporters,” host weekly check-ins with their partners.r 58 members have now been partnered with a Peer Supporter. The program continues to receive positive feedback from members. Peer Supporter James shared: "It's an honor to be able to share my experiences and listen to my brothers as they adjust to being home. We all understand the shared struggle…I normalize it for them and remind myself of what I need and to ask for it myself. We help each other. I really listen to what they are feeling, and it brings a lot of peace to both of us.”

Connecting at the Cookout

In October, Free Minds members and their families enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day filled with good food, laughs, reunion hugs, a 360 photo booth, and, of course tables filled with books to take home. Members who have moved to different cities came with their families to reconnect and be in person. Marvin, his wife, and son came from Baltimore. Decario, and his 3 children, drove 9 hours one way from North Carolina just to be with his Free Minds family. He drove back that same night! It was a chance for members just home after spending decades behind bars, to see friends, catch up, and enjoy togetherness. Member Dirik, who has only been home for a short while, shared, "To be able to see some of the people you were incarcerated with, and meet all the Free Minds community, it was just great. Coming together after doing extensive time was really great." After a year of losses and the ongoing communal trauma that incarceration causes, this day served as a sweet reminder that joy and hope are always there when we are together.

New Congressman John Lewis Fellow James

We would like to extend a warm welcome to James, our new Congressman John Lewis Fellow! The fellowship is a 7-month position where members carry on the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis through peacebuilding at our racial equity events with classrooms and community groups around the country. The Fellow also gains professional, advocacy, and leadership skills. James is a recipient of the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act, and was released after serving 24 years. As the Fellow, James serves as Vice Chair with Thrive Under 25, where he advocates for the rights and needs of youth impacted by the criminal legal system. 

Thank you for journeying alongside us as we continue to grow. Your support is the pillar needed for us to begin a successful new year!

Links:

• Read about Free Minds in Black News & Views
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This summer our formerly incarcerated members in our Reentry Book Club have not taken a break from their year-round learning journeys! From graduations, to employment, to being recognized by the NFL Foundation for their passion and determination to build each other up, we have so many reasons to celebrate our members. Thank you for your support of our community, which gives us even more reason to celebrate. As the accomplishments of our members show, we are better when we all work together.

New Chapters: Graduations

We want to extend hearty congratulations to all of our members who have graduated from a variety of programs over the past few months. Anthony, Andre and DeAngelo recently completed the intensive Building Futures Construction Pre-Apprenticeship program, where they earned certifications and are now ready to begin careers with growth opportunities! Joe and Donald graduated from Georgetown University’s Pivot Program, a one-year program for formerly incarcerated individuals that blends academic work and supported employment to provide leadership and professional development. We are so proud of Anthony, Andre, DeAngelo, Joe, and Donald, and are excited to watch as they continue to pursue their professional goals!

Camaraderie and Inspiration at the Job Readiness Apprenticeship

Our July Job Readiness and Personal Skill Building Apprenticeship was both an exchange of support among members and workshops on practical skills such as interviewing, public speaking, understanding workplace norms, and conflict resolution. Member Joe gave a presentation to the apprentices on starting his own nonprofit improving health outcomes of Black communities. Hearing directly from fellow members on their reentry journeys always provides an invaluable source of motivation and hope. Marquell, one of our apprentices, reflected on how hearing Joe’s accomplishments helps him, “Know it can be done, and it’s not impossible.”

Working from the Kitchen to the Road

An important component of Free Minds is exposing our members to a broad array of career options. At our apprenticeship in July, members heard from DC Central Kitchen, a DC nonprofit that provides culinary training, thus sparking Kelvin’s interest in the field. He recently gained employment as an assistant manager for a chef, where he will receive training to advance his career within the culinary world. Meanwhile, Irving recently started a job at a local hospital in the linen department. A long-held dream became reality for Brandon, who recently obtained license tags for his own tractor trailer and has started his own trucking business. 

“True Team Members” NFL Player on Peer Support Program

This June, 11 members graduated from our Peer Support Training Program! This 12-week cohort trains participants on trauma-informed care, healthy boundaries, social and emotional support, and crisis response. Graduates of the program, called “Peer Supporters,” are matched with “Peer Support Partners,” who are fellow members recently home from prison; the Peer Supporters provide one-on-one encouragement and social emotional support to their partners. This graduation was extra special, as we were gifted with a personal video from Arizona Cardinals Offensive Tackle, Kelvin Beachum. Kelvin is a member of the NFL Players Coalition Task Force, who selected Free Minds as a recipient of NFL Foundation's Inspire Change grant for our Peer Support Training Program. Kelvin stated, “Y’all have demonstrated great commitment and dedication to your fellow members, helping them as they transition home from incarceration. We applaud you for that. You are true team members. Thank you for all that you do, and keep up the great work.”

The evening was filled with jubilant reflections and shared gratitude for the program which, in addition to skilled knowledge, also builds compassionate friendships, support, and personal healing. Graduate James shared, “This program is very powerful. The ripple effects from the positive energy continue to spill over into the community.”

You are part of that community James is talking about. As we continue to feel positive energy and support from you, we hope that feeling is reciprocated to you. Thank you for being a part of our community!

Links:

• Kelvin Beachum's message from the Players Coalition
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