Thank you so much for attending our Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Redemption Legislative Luncheon! It was an extremely successful event because of you and your participation. A special thanks to the women who shared their experiences with the justice system: Dana Davis, Malika Kidd, Jill Hillman, and Maria Ford. Additionally, thank you to Marshan Allen - VP of Advocacy and Partnerships, Represent Justice; and Kevin Werner - Legislative Director, Ohio Justice and Policy Center for sharing their expertise.
Please take a moment to fill out the survey about the event linked below. We want to know what you thought so that we can make the next one even better!
To learn more and track criminal justice reform legislation, consider signing up for the My Ohio Legislature tool. This tool provides email alerts when bills, committees, or topics you indicate as a preference are scheduled for a hearing. It is customizable, free, and a great way to stay in the know when bills are moving, being amended, etc. The Ohio Legislature webpage is full of resources and is a great landing page to navigate from. The link to sign up and "how-to" instructions for the tracking tool can be found in the bottom left corner.
Want to get more involved and learn more from citizens returning home from incarceration? Sign-up to attend the 2022 Restored Citizens Summit. This annual event is being held August 18th at Columbus State Community College's Workforce Development Building. Opening ceremonies begin at 9am with awards and a keynote speaker and are followed by two hours of workshops and resources. The day concludes with a luncheon and conversations that allow for connection, the building of empathy, and tools for supporting our justice-involved neighbors. The event is free to the public and is a staple in the smart justice fabric of Central Ohio. Registration link is here.
If you'd like to continue engaging with reentry topics and how current and future legislature impacts returning citizens, please consider signing up for our newsletter. We will let you know about upcoming reentry events, news, and ways to get involved. Also, you can see photos from the event on our Facebook page.
For an example of the stories we share, check out the newest episode of The Brown Couch with Vanita Nevis, featuring Wendy Adcock - entrepreneur, returning citizen, and peer specialist. Wendy is an exceptional chef who operates Fusion Bakery and Cafe, which blends North African Cuisine with the West Indies and adds just a touch of a Mediterranean flair to keep it interesting.
