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A few years ago I began volunteering with Defy Ventures. An entrepreneurship based prison reform program geared toward helping those that are currently or formerly incarcerated.
Recent changes with Defy have moved their national program to local levels. Nebraska is blessed with an amazing local leader and staff. (If you currently are affiliated with Defy Nebraska - continue to do so! Double down! It's worth it!) However, one of my favorite prisons I have visited was not brought under local leadership. Pelican Bay, located in Northern California near the Oregon border. I have visited there twice in the last year and seen the infamous Solitary Confinement living headquarters we've all heard so much about. Pelican Bay currently has 164 EITs enrolled in it's program and because of the changes, they are not able to graduate unless it gets privately funded.
My heart sank when I heard this news. Getting a program of this magnitude to take off in a place as notoriously dangerous as Pelican Bay is no easy task. This program focuses heavily on character development. I have watched with my own two eyes, more grown men break down walls and move mountains in areas of their lives regarding shame, regret, and vulnerability within those prison walls because of this program than I have ever seen outside of it. And let me tell you, if you've never experienced it, it is not easy to build a level of trust with someone who has been constantly let down their entire lives. It takes courage to participate in this program - and it's downright scary to put yourself out there as 'wanting to be better' when you're locked up. Our EITs were more scared to meet us the first time than we ever were to meet them! That being said, there is nothing more heartbreaking to me than feeling as if, by not allowing them to finish this program, we have given 'hope' to a group of people who may have felt hopeless, and then, at no fault of their own, taken that hope away from them.
And I refuse to let that happen. 10 rouge Pelican Bay volunteers have formed a group that is committed to helping the 164 EITs finish their program by leading, organizing, and funding the two events that are needed to complete it. To do so is costly. We guestimate that if 30 die-hard volunteers choose to go in on this with us, we can cover the cost of the event for a measly $1100 a piece. (For full transparency, we have a complete detailed budget that I'd be willing to show/be held accountable to- to anyone that wants to donate. Update: Two events are needed to finish the program. I have increased my goal for my commitment to the two events as together we reached the initial goal in only 3 days!)
I'm here asking this: I'd like to be one of those 30 die-hard volunteers that participates. This $1100 donation is due by June 19th. So I have 9 days. I can figure out my own transportation & hotel stay (as I'll just chalk it up to taking my annual vacation in prison again if I have to) but am asking for anyone else who feels compelled to make sure this program sees its way through, to donate. *Again, if you are a current supporter of a local Defy chapter, please DO NOT take from them to give here. However, you more than anyone understand the value of this program and how important it is to allow these 164 men the opportunity to finish what they have started.
Again, this is a completely volunteer led group effort. My contributions will roll up into the larger group and any leftover funds will be put toward their second event - their graduation. We are NOT a non profit - so contributions are not tax deductable. Sorry. Give out of the goodness of your heart. This gofundme account will eventually roll over into the one large gofundme account that will pay for the event.
These men need us now more than ever. And a small contribution by several people will go a long way. Are you willing to skip one meal out with your family to provide a second chance to someone who, for many, are using this as their first real chance to start a new life?
I leave you with this, What if you were known for the worst thing you've ever done? How would that change you? What if you were given the opportunity, the time, and the resources to change? Many of our men have been given this - and they have received it with open arms. They have worked hard and we want to support them in helping them finish what they have started. Thank you for your consideration.
PS: I am also taking offline donations. Unused VISA giftcards, airline points, a check/paypal so I don't pay the gofundme fee, I'm flexible. Any donation will receive a book talking about this organization as well as a huge bearhug and all of the gratitude in the world. <3
Recent changes with Defy have moved their national program to local levels. Nebraska is blessed with an amazing local leader and staff. (If you currently are affiliated with Defy Nebraska - continue to do so! Double down! It's worth it!) However, one of my favorite prisons I have visited was not brought under local leadership. Pelican Bay, located in Northern California near the Oregon border. I have visited there twice in the last year and seen the infamous Solitary Confinement living headquarters we've all heard so much about. Pelican Bay currently has 164 EITs enrolled in it's program and because of the changes, they are not able to graduate unless it gets privately funded.
My heart sank when I heard this news. Getting a program of this magnitude to take off in a place as notoriously dangerous as Pelican Bay is no easy task. This program focuses heavily on character development. I have watched with my own two eyes, more grown men break down walls and move mountains in areas of their lives regarding shame, regret, and vulnerability within those prison walls because of this program than I have ever seen outside of it. And let me tell you, if you've never experienced it, it is not easy to build a level of trust with someone who has been constantly let down their entire lives. It takes courage to participate in this program - and it's downright scary to put yourself out there as 'wanting to be better' when you're locked up. Our EITs were more scared to meet us the first time than we ever were to meet them! That being said, there is nothing more heartbreaking to me than feeling as if, by not allowing them to finish this program, we have given 'hope' to a group of people who may have felt hopeless, and then, at no fault of their own, taken that hope away from them.
And I refuse to let that happen. 10 rouge Pelican Bay volunteers have formed a group that is committed to helping the 164 EITs finish their program by leading, organizing, and funding the two events that are needed to complete it. To do so is costly. We guestimate that if 30 die-hard volunteers choose to go in on this with us, we can cover the cost of the event for a measly $1100 a piece. (For full transparency, we have a complete detailed budget that I'd be willing to show/be held accountable to- to anyone that wants to donate. Update: Two events are needed to finish the program. I have increased my goal for my commitment to the two events as together we reached the initial goal in only 3 days!)
I'm here asking this: I'd like to be one of those 30 die-hard volunteers that participates. This $1100 donation is due by June 19th. So I have 9 days. I can figure out my own transportation & hotel stay (as I'll just chalk it up to taking my annual vacation in prison again if I have to) but am asking for anyone else who feels compelled to make sure this program sees its way through, to donate. *Again, if you are a current supporter of a local Defy chapter, please DO NOT take from them to give here. However, you more than anyone understand the value of this program and how important it is to allow these 164 men the opportunity to finish what they have started.
Again, this is a completely volunteer led group effort. My contributions will roll up into the larger group and any leftover funds will be put toward their second event - their graduation. We are NOT a non profit - so contributions are not tax deductable. Sorry. Give out of the goodness of your heart. This gofundme account will eventually roll over into the one large gofundme account that will pay for the event.
These men need us now more than ever. And a small contribution by several people will go a long way. Are you willing to skip one meal out with your family to provide a second chance to someone who, for many, are using this as their first real chance to start a new life?
I leave you with this, What if you were known for the worst thing you've ever done? How would that change you? What if you were given the opportunity, the time, and the resources to change? Many of our men have been given this - and they have received it with open arms. They have worked hard and we want to support them in helping them finish what they have started. Thank you for your consideration.
PS: I am also taking offline donations. Unused VISA giftcards, airline points, a check/paypal so I don't pay the gofundme fee, I'm flexible. Any donation will receive a book talking about this organization as well as a huge bearhug and all of the gratitude in the world. <3