FREE Help with Felony Removal

#CHAMP47 Removes Barriers

Is a felony preventing you from moving forward in your life? Increasingly, a proportion of people in the United States, especially from lower income communities and people of color, has been increasingly marginalized in civic and political life. For most people with felony convictions, civil rights and privileges are unimaginably obtainable. Studies have shown that gaining employment and promotions continue to become more challenging. In addition, to limited resources, access to benefits, the right to vote and adequate housing are only a few socio-economical and disenfranchised consequences you may be faced with.  CHAMP 47 (Creating Healthy Alternatives Mobilizing Prop. 47), an initiative of Time For Change Foundation created to implement Proposition 47 gives hope to our community that you can live a sustaining and prosperous life after incarceration. The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, which was approved by voters in November 2014 and CHAMP 47 campaign will help to improve our communities’ quality of life and restore our families. U.S. Sen. and 2016 Presidential Candidate Rand Paul (R) praised "PROP 47 does have the potential to help tens of thousands of Californians gain their freedom and work towards rebuilding their lives. The sooner individuals with qualifying convictions take action to reduce their sentences, the greater the impact of this law will be." Reduce low-level crimes ($950 or less) shoplifting, simple drug possession, forgery/fraud, petty theft/grand theft, writing a bad check, receiving stolen property For more info:  Contact Porscha   (909) 886-2994  info@TimeForChangeFoundation.org  JOIN US! DATE: Saturday May 7, 2016 TIME: 10:00 am-2:00 pm LOCATION: Cal State Reentry In/Parole Bldg  14040 Park Ave. Victorville, CA 92392 Items to bring with you Rap Sheet, CA ID or Drivers License Court documents, Case Numbers, Live Scan result

California Funds New Prisons Despite Prop 47 Passage to Reduce Inmates

California officials voted on Thursday to divert US$500 million to open new jails, replacing jail beds with medical and mental health beds. Criminal justice and civil rights activists protested the decision, which counters the purpose of the popular Proposition 47, passed last year to re-classify low-level felonies to misdemeanors and redirect funds to reduce recidivism.

“Californians didn't vote for Prop 47 so that we could reduce prison populations just to begin building new jails,” said Kim Carter, executive director of Time for Change Foundation, in a press release from Californians United for a Responsible Budget. According to Carter, the Board of State and Community Corrections, responsible for the vote, “should take the money they want to spend on jails and build some affordable housing,” she said, adding that “Reducing recidivism and increasing public safety means people need access to housing and jobs, not jail beds."

Prop. 47 aims to reduce prison populations in a state with severe overcrowding, designating extra funds to programs like "school truancy and dropout prevention, victim services, mental health and drug abuse treatment." At the same meeting, the BSCC began forming a committee to decide the distribution of Prop. 47 funds. Activists against jail expansion submitted their 14 candidates, all formerly incarcerated experts on substance use treatments, reentry programming, housing and mental health treatment. Currently the BSCC is largely made up of opponents of Prop. 47.

Though the BSCC announced that it would fund the new jail projects with funds from another bill, its administrative powers were expanded last month by Governor Jerry Brown. Proponents of Prop. 47 worry that it would look to using their own funds, and community members of the cities in question, spread across 15 countries, fear less funds for local social services.

Other states that passed similar laws have seen crime rates decrease, but a year into passing Prop. 47, crime rates vary across the state, according to a report released by the American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday. While some law enforcement authorities proposed innovative diversion programs, others escalated arrests to account for a perceived rise in petty crime. The report accounted for the differences in the priorities of officers and their departments.

The effects of Prop. 47 are too early to measure, but it is estimated to lower prison costs by US$150 million this fiscal year. The BSCC measure would eliminate 310 jail beds, but it would add 196 new ones, which some worry would not fulfill their definition of mental health treatment. This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:

Via TeleSur http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/California-Funds-New-Prisons-Despite-Law-to-Reduce-Prison-Population-20151112-0039.html

Time for Change Foundation Celebrates the One Year Anniversary of Prop 47 Passage

November 4th marks one year since California voters passed Proposition 47, which gives thousands of people across the Inland Empire a chance to reduce low level felonies to misdemeanors. 

Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) has been working to ensure that this victory translates into real change for local families. This includes doing public education and outreach at two major events this week: the first at a Holiday Job Fair organized by Congressman Pete Aguilar's office on Friday, November 6th from 9am to 12pm and at the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches Health Fair on Saturday, November 7th from 10am to 2pm.

Earlier this year, Time for Change Foundation launched Creating Health Alternatives Mobilizing Prop 47 or CHAMP 47. People like Diane Sapp, resident of San Bernardino, have benefitted from a legal clinic that TFCF hosted in July and other informational events. "All of the felony convictions in my record held me back for several years," shares Diane. "It meant always submitting job applications and never hearing back." It wasn't until the July legal clinic when she was able to reduce 3 of her convictions, 2 drug related and 1 burglary related to misdemeanors. "I couldn't believe it finally happened. I was so happy because next I can file for a dismissal."

These record changes can help people in their job searches, securing apartments, receiving several professional licenses, student loans, and certain housing and government benefits so they can end generational cycles of incarceration.

In addition, Prop 47 ensures savings from lower incarceration at the state level and the county level will be spent on crime prevention and treatment for both drug addictions and the mentally ill. A study by Stanford Law's Justice Advocacy Project finds 4,454 state prisoners have been released since the law passed. The project also found that it will keep 3,300 offenders out of prison every year, saving the state $93.4 million a year. The savings for the additional number of county jail prisoner to be released translates to an estimated $203 million across the state.

The Prop 47 petition window for felony reductions ends in 2 years on November 4 2017. Those eligible should act now and visit www.Timeforchangefoundation.org for the petition toolkit.

Prop 47 Informational Booths at the Following Two Events

Holiday Job Fair

Friday, November 6th 9am - 12pm

Inghram Community Center

2050 N. Mt Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, CA

IECAAC Wellness and Resource Fair

Saturday, November 7th 10am - 2pm

New Hope Family Life Center

1505. W. Highland Ave., San Bernardino, CA



Time for Change Foundation provides essential resources through our programs and services to families who desire to change the course of their lives by making the transition from homelessness and recidivism to self-sufficiency. We accept all forms of donations; please call our office for more information at 909-886-2994 or visit us on the web at www.Timeforchangefoundation.org.

Via: http://www.highlandnews.net/news/political/article_742b6248-823d-11e5-9439-57b38ca59e1b.html 

Please VOTE for Kim Carter for 2015 CNN Hero of the Year!

Dear Friends,

I am overwhelmed by the gratefulness I am feeling right now. I am so blessed to be clean and sober and recognizing that my only purpose in life is to fight for others that have been through the same injustices as I have experienced.

On October 8th CNN selected me and my organization, Time for Change Foundation, for the work we do to help others. To be chosen as a 2015 Top 10 CNN Hero from 50,000 nominations across the world we sit here humbled and awestruck.

But it doesn’t stop here. To reach the grand prize of $100,000 that will help us to continue our mission we NEED YOUR HELP to get the most votes!

You can VOTE by clicking the link below and you can VOTE ONCE a day EVERY DAY until November 15th.

VOTE4KIM

I just want to thank God, for giving me a second chance at life and using me to help fight for others! For those of you who don't know my story, I'm a miracle! Devastated by crack addiction, incarceration and homelessness for years and to suddenly be reborn and purposeful is a blessing.

Thank you to everyone that has fought this fight with me in solidarity! I know I didn’t come this far without you.

Please cast your votes, share that you voted, and ask others to do the same!


Thank you!

Kim Carter

Executive Director

Time for Change Foundation

Time for Change Foundation Named CNN Hero

Congratulations to one of our own Take Action California agency members, Time for Change Foundation, who has been named a 2015 CNN Hero.

Time For Change is scheduled to be profiled on CNN Saturday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. The news network’s program honors everyday people for their selfless and creative ways to help others.

Founded in 2002, Time for Change helps homeless people recover from substance abuse, incarceration and mental health issues.

Their mission is to empower disenfranchised low income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities.

Watch CNN's video here: http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes

For information about the organization, call 909-886-2994 or visitwww.Timeforchangefoundation.org.

Time for Change Foundation Hosting Prop 47 Felony Reduction Clinic

On Saturday July 25, Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) will be hosting their Creating Healthy Alternatives Mobilizing Prop 47 (CHAMP 47) Felony Reduction Clinic under the guidelines of Proposition 47. Their campaign is seeking to reach the thousands of residents in San Bernardino County that have the qualifying felonies on their record; simple drug possession, petty theft under $950, shoplifting under $950, forging or writing a bad check under $950, and receipt of stolen property under $950.

What Prop 47 is seeking to accomplish is to change policies that contribute to discrimination, racial disparities in low-income communities and communities of color, and invest in our communities.

TFCF believes in the value of “treatment, not punishment is the solution.” While the United States has the greatest number of incarcerated people in the world (prisonpolicy.org), and California recently coming into compliance with the federal mandate to reduce its prison population, Prop 47 was a huge step forward in the journey towards ending mass incarceration.

While spreading community awareness about the event, Time for Change Foundation spoke to many individuals and families that needed the assistance provided through Prop 47. “We see the faces of those who need it and the numbers are staggering,” said Civic Engagement Specialist, Vanessa Perez. “We anticipate a huge turnout at this event and look forward to people getting closer to obtain employment, which is the number one struggle for people that have these felonies.”

Time for Change seeks to lower recidivism rates and provide families with the opportunity to move forward in life. Many people assume that having a record is something that only affects the individual, yet hardly ever is just one person affected. The effects of prop 47, when made available to those who need it, can change the lived experiences of entire families.

TFCF believes in the power of this initiative and have hope in the short term and long term effects that it can have in California and ultimately our nation.

The Free Felony reduction Clinic that is being held at the Way World Outreach Downtown Mission in San Bernardino, gives people the opportunity to meet with a lawyer and have their records changed for free. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. They encourage everyone that is eligible to attend and spread the word.


By Abry Elmassian, Intern

Please Endorse One of Our Own!

The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) plays a monumental role in all aspects of the criminal justice system. It works in partnership with local corrections systems and assists efforts to achieve continued improvement in reducing recidivism through evidence- based decision making in the State of California. 

This July 1st, committee positions will be up for appointment and we're asking for you to endorse Kim Carter's appointment to the BSCC!

Please sign and send the attached sample letter on your organization's letterhead ASAP to each of the following representatives:

Honorable Toni Atkins

Speaker of the Assembly 

State Capitol 

P.O. Box 942849 

Sacramento, CA 94249-0078 

Via Fax: (916) 319-2178

Honorable Chris Holden

Majority Floor Leader of the Assembly 

State Capitol 

P.O. Box 942849 

Sacramento, CA 94249-0041 

Via Fax: (916) 319-2141

Honorable Reggie Jones-Sawyer

Legislative Black Caucus Chair of the Assembly

State Capitol 

P.O. Box 942849 

Sacramento, CA 94249-0059 

Via Fax: (916) 319-2159

For more information about Kim Carter and Time for Change Foundation please visit 

www.timeforchangefoundation.org.

When given a chance to live a "normal," crime free life...

Learning about Prop 47 and being a part of Time for Change Foundation’s Get Out the Vote campaign, has made my understanding of my role in the community a whole lot clearer. Since being released from prison in September 2014, I have been engaged in many activities that have given me so much insight and knowledge that benefits me and others who are going through the same struggles that I am facing.

I came to Time for Change Foundation in October 2014 on parole, not knowing that in less than 6 months I would have gained so much knowledge, understanding, and accomplishments. I recently attended the Future of Elections 2015 Conference in Sacramento to learn a broader perspective of how we, the community, can make a difference and achieve greater outcomes on future elections.

I was able to get a better understanding on how and why it is so important to vote and be up to speed on campaigns, elected officials, bills and laws, and who the players are in our community. So even though I am not able to vote, being that I am on parole, I still feel that it is my responsibility to be sure that those around me are up to date with information and are voting in California Elections. Also reaching out to the public by phone banking, door to door flyers, to be sure that the community is registered to vote and helping them locate their voting polls so they can go vote.

As a repetitive felon it feels impossible to find a well paying job and even harder to keep one that will provide for me and my family. So Prop 47 gives me hope that I, and others who are going through the same situation,  can live “normal” crime free lives with attained employment. I am so grateful for and inspired from all the useful information that I am now aware of.

                                                                                                              
DeeLysa Harper 
February 24,2015

Election Day is 1 Week Away!

We're 1 week away from election day!

Don't forget that your vote matters

VOTE on November 4th!

DIRTY POLITICS EXPOSED IN BANKRUPT CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Wolfe

(909) 886-2994 Ofc (909-277-3825) cell

Date: October 13, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       

DIRTY POLITICS EXPOSED IN BANKRUPT CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

San Bernardino, California October 13, 2014 –Time for Change Foundation held a press conference on the steps of City Hall to expose the dirty politics, once again plaguing the bankrupt City of San Bernardino.  Concerned citizens, community activists, spiritual leaders and the homeless joined with Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) to demand that the City Council do at least what the community does for them, VOTE.  The community united in one voice for Honesty, Integrity and Transparency (HIT) within the city leadership holding signs declaring “Stop the Dirty Politics” and “Cheating is Bad for Business.” 

Kim Carter, Founder/Executive Director Time for Change Foundation, addresses
the crowd demanding an honest and transparent City Council.

TFCF, a local non-profit organization, and low income housing developer, dedicated to serving the disenfranchised, has been denied Federal Home Investment Partnership Funds designed to be administered through the City after winning a recent bid competition for their new low income housing development project.  “We won that competition fair and square. This is about the jobs that are going to be created in our community, it’s about the safe and decent housing that we are going to have in our community,” said Kim Carter, Executive Director and Founder of TFCF, “we’re not going to allow dirty politicians to rob us one more time.  We’re here today about the residents of San Bernardino who can’t afford to be cheated out of one more taxpayer dollar in our city.  We need investments in our community and that’s not going to happen if we keep allowing leadership to come in here and play dirty politics.  Is this city open for business or what?“San Bernardino is a city trying to rebuild itself.  No entity will be willing to come to San Bernardino to invest if the City does not hold to the competition process.

The community, along with the hardworking staff at TFCF want answers.  If the City Council went through the pretense of soliciting proposals, having the proposals analyzed by a Proposal Review Committee, publicly declaring a winner, and writing a Resolution to award the funds, the least the City Council can do is VOTE!  Today, the community called for the City Council to place the project item back on their agenda and to VOTE, publicly, yes or no.  The community is calling for the matter to be moved forward according to the democratic process which has been set in place for the orderly conducting of business.

Sergio Luna of Inland Congregations United For Change (ICUC) asserted “this is a fight that every single person in San Bernardino should take…we at ICUC we are standing with Time for Change in every way possible…we will continue to collaborate until we find justice in our community.”  Reverend Bronica Taylor was passionate, declaring “we are the people. It is our vote that can truly make the change. “

HERE ARE THE FACTS:

 üan open bid competition RFP was released by the City for the purpose of low income housing development

 üa Proposal Review Committee declared TFCF the agency scoring the highest in the  competition

 üthe Mayor and City Council issued a Resolution stating the funds had been identified and were available

 üthe Resolution authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate terms of the development project

 üthe Resolution was placed on the City Council agenda 9/15/14 and then removed

 üthe Resolution was placed on the City Council agenda 10/6/14 and then removed

Concerned community members gather on the front of City Hall steps in support
of Time for Change Foundation.

No one within the City government will publicly state why this development project is not moving forward in the normal course of business.  The community, attempting to pull out of bankruptcy, has been disappointed once again because of the lack of Honesty, Integrity and Transparency within the new leaders they voted into office.  How can you ask people to vote for you during reelection time when you are sitting in the seat and not living up to the promises of openness, transparency and accountability?  If the City was truly moving forward, the transparency and accountability would be obvious.  Kim Carter reiterated: “This is not about me, this is about the process which is honest, integrity filled and transparent … a healthy competition.  Is any business safe to come here and enter a competition only to be awarded but not rewarded? No one likes a “cheater!” 

The next City Council meeting will take place October 20, 2014 and the public was encouraged to attend and demand answers from public officials, from the dais, in that public forum.  TFCF put the matter publicly to the City Council to place the development project item back on the agenda and for every member to publicly vote to approve or disapprove.

###

Join Time for Change Foundation Monday to demand HONESTY, INTEGRITY, & TRANSPARENCY from San Bernardino city leaders!

Take Action California's Partners Accepted as Women’s Policy Institute Fellows

We want to congratulate three of Take Action California’s coalition partners; Vanessa Perez, Civic Engagement Specialist at Time for Change Foundation, Ana Muniz, Research Director for Youth Justice Coalition, and Diana Zuniga, Statewide Organizer for Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) on their acceptance in the Women’s Policy Institute! 

From left: Diana Zuniga, Vanessa Perez, Deborah Peterson Small, Ana Muniz
and Tanya Koshy

Each year the Women’s Foundation of California chooses 25 women throughout the state of California to participate in their , year-long policy training program and this year's Criminal Justice team includes our very own members.

As fellows of the Criminal Justice Team, Vanessa, Ana, and Diana are excited to learn the dynamics of state policy; including, meeting with legislative staffers, writing bill language, testifying at hearings, and conducting campaigns that will influence change in our systems and promote the economic stability for women and families of color.

Our ladies recently returned home from their second retreat at the capitol where they had a tour of the Building and met with legislative staffers to discuss their bill proposals. They had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the place that they will be spending much of their time in the upcoming year.

We also want to congratulate Deborah Peterson Small with Break the Chains and Tanya Koshy with the East Bay Law Center as members of this year’s Criminal Justice Team.

We are so excited for these ladies and the change that they will help bring to the criminal justice system and embark on this year-long journey!