April Newsletter
Throughout the month of April, “Second Chance Month” has been recognized and celebrated across the country. Reentry providers, government agencies, reentry-friendly employers, justice-impacted individuals, and various other stakeholders have joined together to highlight the challenges and barriers facing over 600,000 returning citizens each year as they navigate our criminal legal system and reentry landscape. From job fairs to movie screenings, communities have come together and been educated on the realities of reentry such as the fact that at least 66% of those returning home from incarceration will find themselves back behind the walls of our prisons and jails within 3-5 years of their release.
In my own personal journey through the criminal legal system, I have come to really appreciate the importance of the words that we use and the impact that our words have on the systems we are working to change. And I’ve found myself questioning if “Second Chances Month” is really the appropriate way to encapsulate what we are trying to do. What happens if an individual has already used their “second chance?” What if they have made more than two choices in their life that brought them to the carceral system? What if they need more chances?
More than most, I appreciate the month of April and hope that we can all be mindful that as the month comes to a close, the challenges facing those in our correctional facilities and for millions of others that have been justice impacted will remain. It will take all of us to fix our broken criminal legal system and break the barriers that fuel the high recidivism rates we see in our country. I challenge you to make every month “Reentry Month” and make every day an opportunity to welcome people home with resources, support services, career opportunities, or even something as simple as a smile and a show of our shared humanity.
Best,
Jeffrey Abramowitz, CEO of the Petey Greene Program
Our 2023 Annual Report is Now LIVE!
Our 2023 Annual Report showcasing our impact and milestones achieved throughout the last calendar year is now LIVE! We hope that you will explore the report and learn more about the events we celebrated together, how our programs have grown, and meet some of the students and tutors we have worked with.
Recapping Our 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education Justice!
Earlier this month, we held our 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education Justice which was a HUGE success! Thank you to all of our runners, walkers, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and campus leaders that made it happen - we couldn't have done it without you! We are already looking forward to seeing you all in April 2025 for the next one. And we have one final ask! We are so close to our $20,000 fundraising goal - can you donate today to get us across that finish line?
Join Us for a Webinar Hosted in Partnership with the Incarceration Nation Network
In partnership with Incarceration Nation Network, we are thrilled to be kicking off the Petey Greene Program - Global Freedom Fellowship Series! Join us on May 14th at 12:30PM EST for the first installment with a look into the intersection of women and mass incarceration, featuring insights from panelists from across the globe.
Run the Philadelphia 8K, Half Marathon or Marathon for the PGP!
We are so excited to be an official charity affiliate of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon Weekend! If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider joining our running team! All runners will be expected to raise $500 for the Petey Greene Program and be guaranteed entry into the race of their choice. Please reach out to Sarah Hirshorn at shirshorn@peteygreene.org with any questions.
We Are Hiring! PHENND Fellow, Prison Education Coordinator
The Petey Greene Program is looking for a PHENND Fellow, Prison Education Coordinator in Philadelphia! The PHENND Fellow will support volunteer tutors across PGP programs in Philadelphia, including programs in prison and reentry settings. If you think you are a good fit or have someone who might be a good candidate, please apply or share the job listing by May 31!
Meet Sondra Fiorella, our Division Manager in Washington D.C.! Sondra Fiorella transitioned into the role of Division Manager in April of 2024 after joining the Petey Greene Program in July of 2023 as the Volunteer Coordinator. In her role as Division Manager, Sondra supports volunteer tutors in the DC region and coordinates with carceral facilities to ensure the success of programming. Sondra was also instrumental in championing the PGP’s first student-organized meetup for the 5K Run/Walk for Education Justice at the National
Mall. As a former PGP volunteer, Sondra is passionate about serving our incarcerated population and working towards eliminating the structural barriers they face. Originally from Philadelphia, Sondra moved to D.C. to study at George Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Social Justice and Criminal Justice. Prior to joining The PGP, Sondra served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member where she designed and executed educational programs in DCPS schools with the goal to provide students with fair and equitable education. During her free time, Sondra loves to explore new restaurants, try out new recipes and cookbooks, and crafts of all varieties.
Photo of the Month!
Our Regional Manager for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Lynne Sullivan, participated in a panel about the power of Boston University’s Prison Education Program, administered by Metropolitan College. She shared about her own experiences and the impact of similar opportunities: “If you don’t give someone different options, they have no choices, which means they’re going to go down the same pathway. But when you open up somebody’s mind with education, they start to find out who they are. And then they start to learn about what they can become.”