Don't miss the Riverside Strong Communities Forum!

Los Angeles Record Change & Resource Fair

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Exposition Park

Los Angeles, CA 90037

Strong Communities Forum Inland Empire

Strong Communities Forum

Saturday, September 26, 2015

9: 00 am - 5:00 pm

The Hyatt Place 

3500 Market Street

Riverside, CA 92501

SAVE THE DATE: Riverside Strong Communities Forum September 26th!

Save the Date!

The Riverside Strong Communities Forum is taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Hyatt Place in Downtown Riverside, California.

We are inviting organizations to share and receive the “best of the best” that community organizations, non-profits, colleges, and universities have to offer in the areas of re-entry, Prop 47 assistance, social services, employment opportunities, post conviction relief, civic engagement, social enterprises, alternatives to jails, and housing options for those who have been incarcerated and are now being released into the community.

We are featuring solutions that include 9 key areas of re-entry and more!

• HOUSING
• PUBLIC BENEFITS
• PAROLE & PROBATION
• EDUCATION
• UNDERSTANDING & CLEANING UP YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD
• BUILDING BLOCKS OF REENTRY: ID & VOTING
• FAMILY & CHILDREN
• COURT-ORDERED DEBT
• EMPLOYMENT

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Marie Smith

Community Organizer, Riverside All of Us or None

NOT JUST IN FERGUSON

A recent Department of Justice report found that courts and law enforcement in Ferguson, Missouri, are systematically and purposefully taking money from the pockets of poor people—disproportionately from black people—to put into court coffers. The context may be different in California, but many of the practices are chillingly similar. As a result, over four million Californians do not have valid driver’s licenses because they cannot afford to pay traffic fines and fees. These suspensions make it harder for people to get and keep jobs, further impeding their ability to pay their debt. They harm credit ratings. They raise public safety concerns. Ultimately they keep people in long cycles of poverty that are difficult, if not impossible to overcome. This report highlights the growing trend of license suspensions, how the problem happens, the impact on families and communities, and what can and should be done about it. Click here to read the full report.

Via: http://www.anewwayoflife.org/category/blog/

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

I am ready to spread the word!

Attending the panel discussion on barriers to employment for people with felonies, at the University of Redlands, was one of my first experiences since getting out of prison where I truly felt a part of something. The fact that it involved my personal experiences and the ones I left behind made it easy for me to engage in discussions that I have knowledge and passion about. I was able to identify with the questions and give honest feedback that I feel will contribute to change in policies that create barriers to people with past felony convictions. This experience not only  gave me visuals of all the things that are at my fingertips that can benefit me and my struggles, but it was one of the most exciting moments I have had since getting out of prison. It was empowering to know that the community I live in actually wanted to receive the information I had to give without judgment; their understanding made me feel appreciated.

There are lot of programs and resources in prison, but due to our limited contact with the free world, we are unaware of paths that are being paved for our benefit on the outside, so it was really refreshing to discuss AB 218, also known as Ban the Box, and Proposition  47. I felt honored that I was invited to this event. It showed me that my wants and needs are being recognized and understood. To meet new people, hear what they have to say about such a passionate issue of mine, was so touching to my heart. I was able to show my feelings of appreciation with those around me by giving some insight of the employment struggle that I am going through and how Prop 47 will affect my everyday living with those around me.

Overall, I felt very involved being a part of a group of people that are trying to help people like me who want to make a change for themselves. Knowing my position as a citizen in the community and what I can do for myself and for my community has empowered me to spread the word using the information that was given to me in my present situation and the future. I am ready!

                                                                                                                                        LeSaundra Jenkins 

San Bernardino Community Engagement Plan Roadshow

Attend an Upcoming Roadshow Near You!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015 

at 6 p.m.

Shandin Hills Middle School

4301 Little Mountain Drive

Room 4301

Thursday, February 12, 2015

at 6 p.m.

Arroyo Valley High School

1881 Base Line Street

Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

at 6 p.m.

Golden Valley Middle School

3800 N. Waterman Avenue

Room 3800

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

at 6 p.m.

Indian Springs High School

650 N. Del Rosa Drive

MU Room

Thursday, February 26, 2015

at 6 p.m.

Arrowview Middle School

2299 North G Street

Auditorium

Proposition 47 Community Forum

Proposition 47 Community Forum 

YOU’RE INVITED!

Prop 47 Community Forum: Progressives’ Role in Implementation

WHY: “Prop 47: We Support It, But It’s Complicated.”

WHEN: Sunday JANUARY 25, 2015 

1:00 – 5:30 pm 

WHERE: Golden Gate University School of Law

536 Mission Street in San Francisco, Room 2201 

(BART to Montgomery Street Station)

** 2.5 Hours MCLE credit for attorneys **

Panel discussions and breakout sessions, featuring: formerly incarcerated people, public defenders, legal service providers, advocates for prison abolition & civil rights 

• What’s the most comprehensive implementation model for Proposition 47 outreach? 
• Where do we go from here for large-scale criminal justice change? 
• How do we work with or around people who oppose change in our post-47 world? 
• How do we build the most inclusive movement we can for future success? 

1pm-2pm “Outreach & Implementation Models.” SF Public Defender Jeff Adachi, Alameda Public Defender Brendon Woods, Meredith Desautels of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Eliza Hersh of East Bay Community Law Center, Milena Blake from Californians for Safety & Justice. Moderator Alex Berliner of All Of Us Or None.

2:15-3:30 ”Building An Inclusive Movement.” Lenore Anderson of Californians for Safety & Justice, Prof. Cynthia Chandler of Golden Gate University, Manuel La Fontaine of All Of Us Or None, Laura Magnani of American Friends Service Committee, Natasha Minsker of American Civil Liberties Union, Lynne Lyman of Drug Policy Alliance. Moderator Dorsey Nunn of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.

3:45-4:45 BREAKOUT SESSION “Cultivating A Network Of Unlikely Allies,” with facilitator Gopal Dayaneni of Progressive Communicators Network.

3:45-4:45 BREAKOUT SESSION “Next Steps Towards Change,” with facilitator Harriette Davis of All Of Us Or None.

4:45-5:30 Wrap-up & light refreshments

SB 391 Advances Further Than Any Other CA Housing Trust Fund Bill

From Campaign Co-Chairs Shamus Roller and Ray Pearl

On behalf of SB 391's co-sponsors -- Housing California and the California Housing Consortium -- we would like to congratulate all of you on an amazing job advocating for homes and jobs for Californians. To date, the California Homes and Jobs Act (SB 391) has advanced further than any bill to fund the state housing trust fund since the trust fund was permanently established in 1988.  Given the recent suspension of three Senators who voted yes on SB 391 (and whose votes would be needed again to approve amendments made in the Assembly), SB 391 is unlikely to advance this year in its current form.  While this news is disappointing, we remain strongly positioned to build upon our successes from this year and come back to win an ongoing source of state investment in homes and jobs. Even if we are successful with some of the exciting proposals currently in the Legislature (see below), California needs a statewide, flexible source of funding like SB 391 would provide.       Video Message to SB 391 Supporters from Senator Mark DeSaulnier The author of SB 391, Senator Mark DeSaulnier, recorded this special message for all of you who dedicated time and energy to this important campaign, reinforcing that you've done a fantastic job and our work is not over. Click here to watch Senator DeSaulnier's video.

Inland Empire Community Legislative Briefing

Join us this Friday, January 24, 2014

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

SEIU ULTCW Union Office

195 N. Arrowhead Avenue

San Bernardino, CA

For more information contact Maribel Nunez

(562) 569-4051 or by email mnunez@communitychange.org

All of Us Or None at LA's 2nd Annual Power Festival

Saturday, October 28, 2013, All of Us or None / A New Way of Life Reentry Project shared a table at the South LA's 2nd Annual Power Festival, which was spearheaded by Community Coalition.

Hundreds of people came out to gather more information concerning health care reform, which we all know as Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act (the medical coverage original name) has made it possible for low cost health care insurance to reach folks that normally would have to suffer having no insurance at all.

Much controversy against the bill has created politicians to refuse the ACA, but through it all, President Obama has been adamant to continue to improve the nations health care system, no matter what. 

As the community continues to be informed about the benefits of Obamacare, it seems to bring a particular measure of hope to many that held no hope at all.

LA's Mayor Eric Garcetti came out and shared his support of Obamacare, and the day flowed with the people gathering all the information they could to understand the language of the health coverage that has stirred up a political gang banging fight that truly has another meaning altogether.

Community Legislative Briefing

Community Legislative Briefing

Developing Champions to Restore the Golden State!

Friday, August 23, 2013

10:00 - 12pm

ACLU - SC

1313 W. 8th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Community Legislative Briefing

Community Legislative Briefing

Developing Champions to Restore the Golden State

Friday, August 23, 2013

10:00 - 12pm

ACLU - SC

1313 W. 8th St.

Los Angeles, CA 90017

No More Jails!

July 16, 2013

9 am

CREATIVE ACTION

PRESS CONFERENCE

RALLY

SPEAKOUT

AOUON Community Engagement & Forum

Thursday, June 27, 2013

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside

3657 Lemon Street

Riverside, CA 92501

Corner of Mission Inn & Lemon Street