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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210913T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210913T200000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20210617T224329Z
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UID:10000240-1631559600-1631563200@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Peer Support Group for Families of Justice-Involved Loved Ones
DESCRIPTION:The Southern Center for Human Rights will host an online peer support group for families of justice-involved loved ones from 7:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET on the first Monday of every month. These meetings are a supportive space for anyone with an incarcerated or recently released loved one seeking to connect with other families to learn how to best support loved ones returning home. \n\n\n\nThis support group is a part of SCHR’s Community Connections Reentry Series. Event dates and topics are below. \n\n\n\nMarch 1\, 2021 – “Picking Up the Pieces: Rebuilding\, Renewing & Restoring”April 5\, 2021 – “How to support my loved one with navigating community resources”May 3\, 2021 – “How to support a loved one with a mental illness”June 7\, 2021 – “How to support a loved one experiencing post-incarceration trauma?”July 5\, 2021 – “Practicing Self-Care: Taking time for ourselves”August 2\, 2021 – “Setting and redefining boundaries”September 13\, 2021 – “How to Support a loved one in recovery”October 4\, 2021 – “How to avoid unhealthy conflict”November 1\, 2021 – “Forgiveness & Giving Thanks”December 6\, 2021 – “Out with the old\, in with the new: Setting goals and moving forward”\n\n\n\nSeptember’s meeting will take place the following week. \n\n\n\nFor additional information or if you have any questions\, contact Waleisah Wilson at wwilson@archive.schr.org. \n\n\n\n\nRSVP
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/peer-support-group-for-families-of-justice-involved-loved-ones/
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Peer-Support-Group-Flyer.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210305T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210305T163000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20210225T023230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210225T023230Z
UID:10000236-1614956400-1614961800@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Education in Prison: A Discussion on the Community & Intergenerational Benefits
DESCRIPTION:Research shows that individuals who participate in any type of educational program while in prison are 43 percent less likely to return to prison. In addition to reducing recidivism\, education can improve outcomes from one generation to the next. \nJoin the Southern Center for Human Rights on March 5\, 2021\, at 3 pm EST as we welcome a panel of individuals who will discuss their successes and challenges with obtaining education while incarcerated as well as once released\, the benefits prison education has on the community\, Pell Grant updates\, and upcoming free educational opportunities for those who are justice-involved and formerly incarcerated. \nIf you have any questions about the event or questions about prison in education (or post-release) that you would like answered by the panel\, please email Waleisah Wilson at wwilson@archive.schr.org BEFORE the start of the event. \n  \nModerated By \nWaleisah Wilson\nClient Services Advocate\, Southern Center for Human Rights \n \nWaleisah Wilson is the Southern Center for Human Rights’ (SCHR) Client Services Advocate\, where she focuses on working with individuals whom SCHR has helped get released from prison or otherwise represented in SCHR’s impact or capital litigation. She ensures that SCHR’s clients have access to a robust support system that will help them flourish in their homecoming by connecting them with community resources and providing skill-building opportunities that will allow them to have a better quality of life and be successful and self-sufficient during their reentry. Her shared experience with the criminal justice system and the challenges to reentry\, allow her to have a unique and valuable perspective that allows her to better assist SCHR clients with contributing to their families and their communities\, reduce future interactions with the criminal legal system\, and increase opportunities for them to live full and joyous lives. \nBefore becoming SCHR’s Client Services Advocate\, Waleisah was a criminal justice reform activist and organizer in the Columbus\, GA area and the Founder and Executive Director of NewLife-Second Chance Outreach\, Inc.\, a nonprofit organization that has assisted hundreds of directly impacted individuals with securing employment\, locating housing\, receiving job readiness training and gaining other necessary resources needed in their reentry. \nWaleisah received a Master’s degree in Human Services from Capella University and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Walden University. She has received several awards and accolades for her work in reentry and has participated in several state and national leadership fellowships\, including the 2020 Soros Justice Fellowship. \n  \nPanelists \nPage Dukes\nCommunications Associate\, Southern Center for Human Rights \n \nPage Dukes joined the Southern Center for Human Rights as a communications intern in 2019 while finishing her dual BA in mass communications and philosophy and religion at Piedmont College. In May 2020\, Page joined the SCHR staff as the Communications Associate. Page is a native ATLien. \nDuring her time at Piedmont College\, Page served as a Social Justice Fellow and received the James M. Cox\, Jr. award for community journalism. She was released from prison in May 2017 after serving a mandatory ten-year sentence. She is a founding member of the Athens Reentry Collaborative\, a support group for released people\, Mourning Our Losses\, and Georgia Freedom Letters. Page interned at The Marshall Project in 2018\, where she wrote and edited stories for the “Life Inside” series. She is active in raising awareness about the effects of incarceration\, the need for restoration of rights and accurate media representation for incarcerated people\, and amplifying the voices of incarcerated women. \n  \nPatrick Rodriguez\nExecutive Director\, Georgia Coalition for Higher Education \n \nPatrick Rodriguez is the current Executive Director of The Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (GCHEP) and serves as the Director of Special Projects for Common Good Atlanta. As a formerly incarcerated leader\, Patrick has been working in the prison education space since his release from prison in 2019. He came out of prison with one focus and that was to serve. He wants to serve those who have been through the same experience as him. Whether that is through advocating for them on a legislative level or giving someone a ride to work\, Patrick does it all. When we asked Patrick if he had something he would like to share for this bio\, this is what he had to say\, “I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way. I could not have done it without a strong community of people around me.  I have one focus and that is to help those who have been through the prison system. If I can make it a little easier for my brothers and sisters to transition into society or get accepted into college\, all of this has been worth it. They say that if you judge a nation by its prison systems that will tell you where the work needs to be done\, as a nation\, we have a lot of work to do. Every day I roll my sleeves up and put my boots on and I hope you too can join me in this fight!” Patrick is currently studying at Kennesaw State University and is majoring in Organizational and Professional Communication and plans on attending law school in 2022. \n  \nKareemah Hanifa\nCommunity Organizer\, Inner-City Muslim Action Network \n \nKareemah Hanifa is a Muslim native of Charleston\, South Carolina though she has spent the majority of her life in the State of Georgia. Kareemah comes from a large blended family of 16 siblings. She recently received her Associates in Positive Human Development and Social Change and is currently working on her Bachelors in Psychology at Life University in Marietta\, Georgia. She is a licensed Master Cosmetologist and a youth advocate. \nKareemah is also a Criminal Justice Reform advocate\, Reentry Consultant\, and a Toast Masters Gavel Club member. In 2010\, she was invited to speak at the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice forums. She has since been invited to speak at her Candler School of Theology Certificate Graduation\, Faith and Character Graduations\, and the Ending Mass Incarceration 3-day workshop at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. She spoke in Augusta Georgia at the Georgia Department of Corrections Education Forum. Her most prestigious speaking engagement was at TedxDecatur at Emory University in 2019 where she spoke on the issues impacting at-risk female youth and girls and women in prison. \nKareemah is a Conflict Resolution leader and a Peace Studies Negotiator. She has completed and taught C.I.T. training (Compassion and Integrity Training) at Arrendale State Prison. She is a Life Skills Coach and taught her framework JOAT at Purpose Built Schools Atlanta during Spring Semester 2020. On September 7\, 2020\, she began co-hosting ‘Returning Citizens for Returning Citizens’\, a nation-wide podcast addressing issues involving re-entry in America. Kareemah is currently employed as Community Organizer for IMAN Atlanta\, The Inner-City Muslim Action Network\, where she is leading the campaign\, “No Taxation Without Representation”\, a campaign where directly impacted people are actively resolved to change the Georgia law that prohibits citizens who are on parole or probation from exercising their right to vote. \n  \nEthan Ybabes\nRe-Entry and Advocacy Leader\, Chillon Project \n \nEthan Ybabes is a student at Life University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology. He began this endeavor as part of the first cohort of the Chillon Project while incarcerated at Lee Arrendale State Prison. After he was released\, he continued working with the Chillon Project as a Re-entry and Advocacy Leader. He is passionate about issues surrounding mass incarceration\, restoration of rights for the formerly incarcerated\, access to higher education for the formerly incarcerated\, and re-entry support. Once he receives his Bachelor’s\, he plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Psychology. \n  \nGloria Parks\nStudent\, Georgia State University \n \nGloria Parks is a student at Georgia State University majoring in Computer Science. While incarcerated\, Gloria became attended college and became certified in Theological Studies. Since her release\, she has faced several challenges in achieving her academic goals as the norms of living everyday life are drastically different for a formerly incarcerated woman of color as opposed to others. Even while incarcerated\, Gloria has had a striking thirst for higher learning and education which she considers to be her supreme antidote for a sense of understanding her society\, her family & friends\, and the vicious cycle of recidivism\, lack of stable housing\, and educational opportunities for others with her shared experiences.
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/education-in-prison-a-discussion-on-the-community-intergenerational-benefits/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Education-in-Prison-Discussion-Flyer@1080x-100.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20201120T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20201120T143000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20201118T025305Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201118T025305Z
UID:10000228-1605877200-1605882600@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Protecting Yourself Against Housing & Employment Discrimination
DESCRIPTION:Have you been denied employment or housing based on your criminal background check?\nJoin us as our special guest attorney Craig E. Bertsch discusses how the Fair Credit Reporting Act protects individuals with criminal records when applying for employment and housing. \nGuest Speaker \n \nCraig E. Bertschi\nMcRae\, Bertschi & Cole LLC \nMr. Bertschi began his legal career in 1990 as an associate with the law firm of Kilpatrick & Cody in Atlanta. He was elected to the Partnership in January of 1998 and remained with that firm\, which is now known as Kilpatrick\, Townsend & Stockton\, LLP until March of 2015. \nFor the last 28 years\, Mr. Bertschi focused his practice on litigating complex business disputes and defending consumer class action lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection statutes. Mr. Bertschi has represented Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications\, financial services and aerospace industries and has served as lead counsel in lawsuits nationwide\, including cases in the Second\, Fourth\, Fifth\, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits. He also has extensive experience litigating in the state courts of Georgia\, before the American Arbitration Association and in private arbitrations. \nRead full bio.
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/protecting-yourself-against-housing-employment-discrimination/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Reentry-Series-Protecting-Yourself-Against-Housing-Employment-Discrimination.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200925T103000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200925T120000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20200918T001247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200918T001247Z
UID:10000226-1601029800-1601035200@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:From Prison to Prosperity
DESCRIPTION:Learn valuable tips on how to successfully start your own business. Hear from our experts\, including successful formerly incarcerated business owners. \nTopics covered will include financial wellness and money management\, debt management\, building business credit\, business credit scores\, securing funding\, banking products\, and more. \nModerated by \n \nWaleisah S. Wilson\nClient Services Advocate\, SCHR \n  \nPanelists \nTiffany Kirk\nCommunity Development Manager\, Regions Bank \nTiffany Kirk is the Community Development Manager for Regions Bank and is responsible for Georgia and South Carolina initiatives. Tiffany’s responsibilities include providing advice and guidance on community development needs and oversight of community development loans\, investments and community service provided to underserved communities. Tiffany is from St. Paul\, MN\, where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and earned her Elementary Teaching License at the University of St. Thomas. The first four years of her professional career were dedicated to being an elementary teacher for St. Paul Public Schools. Since 2006\, she has held various financial education and community affairs positions within the banking industry in both Minnesota and Atlanta. She is the Chair of the loan committee for Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership and a founding member of Project Re-Start\, a collaborative effort focused on reducing recidivism among returning citizens. She enjoys music\, home improvement projects\, spending time with her family and traveling. \n  \nTracey Syphax\nPresident and COO\, Phax Group\, LLC \nTracey D. Syphax is President and Chief Operating Officer of Phax Group\, LLC\, a real estate development company. He is the author of the award-winning Memoir\, “From the Block to the Boardroom.” In December of 2017 Mr. Syphax was pardoned by Former Governor Chris Christie-NJ for a 27-year old conviction for drug possession and possession with intent to distribute. Tracey has spent 25 years in business as a strong advocate for ending mass incarceration through the use of proper re-entry tools coupled with the goal of visualizing entrepreneurship as a viable employment option for returning citizens. In 2017\, for the second consecutive year\, he was named as one of the Twenty-Five Most Influential African Americans in New Jersey by the South Jersey Journal. He made history in 2011 as the first African American to be awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Princeton Chamber of Commerce. \nIn 2014\, out of a field of 900 nominees nationwide\, Tracey was recognized by President Obama as a White House “Champion of Change” Honoree for his diligent and tireless work in the re-entry field and for being a strong advocate on behalf of formerly incarcerated people. In 2016\, he taught the pilot program “Aspire to Entrepreneurship” in Washington\, DC where a class of 15 formerly incarcerated people enrolled in a 12-week entrepreneurial training course. Tracey is a former founding board member and former Chairman of the Board (2007-2017) of the Minding Our Business (MOB) program. This is a 20-year old national award-winning program that mentors and provides instruction on entrepreneurship to sixth and eighth grade students in the public-school system. Tracey appears in the documentary “Elementary Genocide: The School to Prison Pipeline” and is featured in the award-winning documentary “Incarcerating US.” \n  \nKevin Skidmore \nAt the age of 16 in 1995 Kevin Skidmore was convicted of an armed robbery charge. He was convicted under senate bill 440 and given the mandatory 10 year sentence. At the age of 17 he was moved from the juvenile section of the jail and transferred to the adult general population. Life was not easy while incarcerated but in his mind he said\, “I will not be institutionalized” he knew there was a better life. \nDuring his incarceration he purchased his first stock\, earned certificates in graphic arts & architectural drafting making blueprints for homes and served in various leadership roles.  After he maxed out in 2005 he was determined to work hard and secured a job at Trojan Battery in Lithonia\, GA. His career culminated as a manager supervising 26 operators for 13 years. During this time Kevin became a proud homeowner\, obtained his passport and has traveled to (5) countries. In 2014 he launched Four Fourty Trucking Company LLC to give individuals who were transitioning out of incarceration an opportunity to make a living wage. Kevin sent an email to the DeKalb DCS Community Coordinator Sharon Almon in the Fall of 2017 sharing his story and how he wanted to give back to those we serve. After vetting Kevin with the Chief he was invited in for a personal interview. His personal vision aligned with the goals of reentry services and he began to dedicate his time and resources and currently serves as one of the Co-Chairs on the DeKalb DCS Steering Committee. He always says\, “Thank You Mrs. Almon for responding to my email”. His goal has been to improve the quality of life of the newly released in order to sustain the individual and allow for a smooth transition back into the community. Kevin is the epitome of an individual who has done the work and his life has transformed hundreds of young men and empowered them not to just survive but to thrive! \n 
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/from-prison-to-prosperity/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/From-Prison-to-Prosperity-Flyer.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200823T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200823T153000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20200811T204629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200811T204629Z
UID:10000224-1598191200-1598196600@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:From the Pit to the Pulpit: Our Journeys from Incarceration to Redemption
DESCRIPTION:As we consider what it means to embody the values of love\, redemption\, forgiveness\, and mercy\, we must examine the ways in which the criminal legal system operates in antithesis to those values. The United States has more people currently incarcerated than any other country\, has the most people under supervision through probation and parole\, is only one of two countries that still uses a cash bail system that subjects hundreds of thousands of legally innocent people to languish in jails simply because they can’t afford bail\, and continues to punish people long after they have been released from prison. \nTo build and maintain healthy communities\, we must focus on restoration and redemption\, not punishment and revenge. \nPlease join the Southern Center for Human Rights for a dynamic conversation with pastors who are testaments to what is possible when faith\, redemption\, and restoration are at the root of reentry. “From the Pit to the Pulpit” will address what people of faith can and should do to ensure that those currently incarcerated and those returning home from jail and prison are able to reintegrate successfully\, how communities of faith can eliminate social stigmas associated with having a criminal record\, what the church’s role and response to crime\, punishment\, and social justice should be\, and how to exercise putting faith over fear. \nModerator \n \nWaleisah Wilson\nClient Services Advocate\nSouthern Center for Human Rights
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/from-the-pit-to-the-pulpit-our-journeys-from-incarceration-to-redemption/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200818T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200818T193000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20200811T204235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200811T204235Z
UID:10000222-1597773600-1597779000@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Shattering Stigmas: The New Faces of Reentry
DESCRIPTION:As we consider what it means to give second chances\, we must first understand the stigmas associated with having a criminal record and how these stigmas hinder full reintegration into society. One of the stigmas directly impacted individuals often deal with is the stigma of being treated as though they are the same person they were in the past. \nPlease join the Southern Center for Human Rights for a conversation with directly impacted individuals who have not only proven that they are not their past but are perfect examples of stigmas being shattered. They continue to shatter stigmas that say that directly impacted people cannot be successful\, productive\, and positive individuals in society. When given opportunities to be successful\, directly impacted individuals can be lawyers\, doctors\, teachers\, entrepreneurs\, organizers\, CEOs and so much more. Join us for a conversation with individuals who are the NEW faces of reentry\, faces that have and will continue to shatter stigmas. \nModerator \n \nWaleisah Wilson\nClient Services Advocate\nSouthern Center for Human Rights
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/shattering-stigmas-the-new-faces-of-reentry/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200730T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200730T161500
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20200720T221950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200720T222056Z
UID:10000218-1596121200-1596125700@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Social Media & Your Job Search: Think Before You Post
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a virtual presentation on how your social media presence may impact your job search. Presenters will provide guidance on how to make your social media pages “employer friendly”.
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/social-media-your-job-search-think-before-you-post/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Reentry-Series-2020-Social-Media-Your-Job-Search.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200720T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200720T143000
DTSTAMP:20260603T184139
CREATED:20200715T001842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200715T001842Z
UID:10000216-1595250000-1595255400@archive.schr.org
SUMMARY:Veterans Benefits Q&A
DESCRIPTION:A virtual presentation and Q&A for all Georgia and Alabama Veterans who have been impacted by a criminal conviction or are currently incarcerated. \nPresenter \nMarguerita High\, Ph.D\, MSW\, LCSW\nVeterans Justice Program\nCoordinator\, Health Care Veterans Reentry (HCRV)\nVeterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO)
URL:https://archive.schr.org/upcoming-event/veterans-benefits-qa/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Community Connections Reentry Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://archive.schr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Reentry-Series-2020-Veterans-Benefits-QA-resized.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Southern Center for Human Rights":MAILTO:info@archive.schr.org
END:VEVENT
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