VOICES OF HOPE UPDATE

Find out where the Reentry Film Series was screened or on TV.

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Ojore Lutalo | Art of Struggle Exhibit and Lecture

Voices of Hope Productions sponsored an art exhibit and lecture with activist Bonnie Kerness and ex-political prisoner Ojore Lutalo. Both kept the audience in "shock and awe" with stories of Ojore's experiences while held in solitary confinement for over 22 years in New Jersey State Prison. Bonnie explained that when Ojore first contacted her she had no concept of the conditions of, or how many people were tortured in control (isolation) units. Bonnie went on to say that while people in the US and the rest of "the world were shocked by what happened in Abu Ghraib and Guantanomo Bay, 2.5 million prisoners, families, lawyers, and activists understood this was business as usual." 

  

Look for scenes of Ojore's Art Exhibit and Lecture in an upcoming segment on NJN's Due Process starting November 21, 2010.

Ojore said that he experienced some of the same tactics and torture that terrorists or prisoners of war experience due to his personal and ideological belief system. He was placed in prison to break his mind and spirit, and to neutralize his radical and anarchist ideas. For instance he believes that "people have the capacity to govern themselves through the process of consensus." A good-looking and mild mannered man, when asked if he felt any sense of freedom, Ojore simply remarked, "I've never experienced freedom in America, and I don't think anyone who is black has either." 


Ojore will be featured in an upcoming episode of New Jersey Network's Due Process that will air on November 21 at 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM, and again on November 23 at 11:30 PM. During that week, the episode will also stream on
their website at www.njn.net/dueprocess. Click here for channel listings for the various cable and satellite providers. http://njn.net/television/channels 


Resource
An incredible list of companies that hire people who were formerly incarcerated.



A word about Healing Justice: Transformed Lives
"Wow how awesome!!!!! There is hope. My brother-in-law was incarcerated for over 21 for a crime that he didn't commit. He has been home with us for nearly 4 years. He has friends that are now coming home and they have no family and no where to go. Some friends got together to purchase a building to house them in while the get on their feet. I believe that people can change if the are willing to do the hard work. Healing Justice: Transformed Lives really drove this home for me. Great job! I will pass this one."

VOICES OF HOPE Reentry Film Series Interview to Run on Public Access TV

On Tuesday, September 7th a 26 minute segment about the recently launched Reentry Films Series will run at 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. on Channel 21 on Comcast Cable and Channel 46 on Verizon FIOS in Monmouth County.

I was interviewed last month by Gilda Rogers of Frank Talk and had an opportunity to discuss the challenges and possibilities facing formerly incarcerated people. The segment includes excerpts from the film series, and we also spoke in detail about the historic reentry legislation that passed early this year, as well as public policy issues that still need to be addressed.

American Friends Service Committee and Voices of Hope Productions launched the Re-Entry Film Series last month in Newark at the Paul Robeson Center where over 90 people came together to see the films and discussed how to spark discussion in communities throughout New Jersey.

The Reentry Film Series is also available online and a comprehensive Film Series Guide and Advocacy Toolkit is near completion. The Toolkit will also include reentry links and resources which are already available online.

Nowhere to Go and Healing Justice: Transformed Lives are now on YOUTUBE.

Continue to check back for updated information on the Voices of Hope and American Friends Service Committee website.

To host a film screening in your community contact Voices of Hope Productions (voices@voicesofhope.tv) for a free DVD, screening guide and advocacy toolkit.

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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Our work is based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

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Voices of Hope Productions, LLC is a woman-owned multi-media production company dedicated to creative and community-based communications and documentary filmmaking as a means to educate, engage, empower and entertain while fostering leadership, citizenship and inspiration in adults and youth to make a difference in our society.

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Supporting Organizations

New Jersey Institute For Social Justice

Integrity House

Women Who Never Give Up

TWO NEW REENTRY FILMS NOW ONLINE

The July 26 reentry film screening brought over 90 people to the Paul Robeson Center at Rutgers Newark to see two new reentry films, Nowhere to Go and Healing Justice: Transformed Lives. It was great to see so many people come out to support the films. After the screening the audience discussed using the films as part of a communications strategy to engage others in understanding the issues of reentry, and through dialogue helping to solve the problems in communities throughout New Jersey.

Elizabeth Enloe, American Friends Service Committee Regional Director and I spoke with the group about the associated screening guide and advocacy toolkit and asked for feedback on ways that people could use the films in their communities.

Rafiq Saleem, who came to the screening after having been released from prison just that day said, "I appreciate programs such as this and really encourage the outside world to get more involved. I believe these films should be given to every house in the 'hood' so that the young gang members, the pregnant women—no fathers, no mother figures—they should see these films because this is a form of encouragement."

After viewing the films a survey was conducted and two thirds of the audience participated. 92% responded that the films "clearly explained the issues", and more than three quarters said the film educated them on the issues and provided them with ways to get involved.

Participants were encouraged to use the films in multiple ways. The screening guide and advocacy toolkit provide a road map for holding screenings and engaging varied audiences in grassroots solutions to reentry problems throughout the state.

The films can be used in suburban and rural areas to educate the public and help them understand how they are impacted by the costs and public safety issues associated with the revolving door of incarceration. Arthur Townes, Alumni Director from Community Education Centers (CEC) stood up after the screening and said, "I think these films create a message of hope. They can be used to inspire others and to expose a light on the issues around reentry in communities that don't necessarily see this as a problem."

Youth and adults in the prison system are a good audience for Healing Justice: Transformed Lives. Michael Jackson, Founder of Prison Nation Radio (www.jointfx.com) who was interviewed for the film stated, "Personally the thing that made me believe I could do it was when I saw someone else who had done it. Films like this about people who have been successful need to go to the people inside [prison] because once people see others saying that it can be done--that's when people can do it on their own—so that they can start their healing."

Additionally, one third of the people who participated in the survey said they were interested in hosting a screening in their community and a third said they would contact their elected officials.

A comprehensive screening guide and advocacy toolkit are in development and when complete the package will include:

• Screening Guide: Background and Discussion Questions

• Potential Audiences/Partners

• Invitation Poster/Flyer

• Sign-in Sheets

• Event Press Release Template and Video Clip Photos

• HANDOUT: Become Involved Action Sheet

• HANDOUT: Fact Sheet/Resources

• Letter to Editor Template

• Legislative Action Sheet

• Petition

• Youtube Video

• Audience Surveys

Please share the videos widely, embed them in your websites and blogs, and create a social media buzz. Updated information will be available on the Voices of Hope website and on AFSC's website as well. To host a screening in your community email voices@voicesofhope.tv for a free DVD, screening guide and advocacy toolkit.

Thank you for your attention to this very important issue!

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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Our work is based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

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Supporting Organizations

New Jersey Institute For Social Justice

Integrity House

Women Who Never Give Up

No Where to Go and Healing Justice: Transformed Lives were made with generous funding from the New Jersey Department of State/Office of Faith Based Initiatives.

VOICES OF HOPE PRODUCTIONS AND AFSC LAUNCHING 2 REENTRY FILMS

Voices of Hope Productions and American Friends Service Committee with Integrity House, New Jersey Institute For Social Justice and Women Who Never Give Up, Inc.

Invite you to a

SCREENING OF TWO REENTRY FILMS AND THE LAUNCH OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TOOLS

WHEN: Monday, July 26th, 2010, 4:00 to 6:00 PM

WHERE: Paul Robeson Campus Center, Rutgers University, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Newark, NJ-07102 Directions

This event will interest stakeholders committed to overcoming the challenges to reentry for formerly incarcerated persons.

Please RSVP by email: ZEaton@afsc.org or phone 212-598-0950.

ABOUT THE SHORT FILMS

No Where to Go highlights the need for and barriers to safe, stable housing. Through testimonies of impassioned advocates and previously incarcerated individuals, this video presents the options of housing including streets, shelters, transitional living facilities, family homes, and permanent supportive housing. As formally incarcerated people are often challenged by issues of addiction, mental health, and violence, the type of housing available to a person drastically impacts their ability to successfully re-enter society and realize their full potential. No Where To Go provides urgent and critical insight into how we can provide the best supportive structure possible to ensure their success.

Healing Justice: Transformed Lives gives voice to a remarkable group of formerly incarcerated men and women who have overcome extreme adversity and successfully turned their lives around upon release from prison. Many of the individuals interviewed wrestled with drug addiction, homelessness, and recidivism. Now they are advocates and role models, helping others make the difficult transition from prison to the outside world. Their stories provide a road map to others struggling to reintegrate, and as a guide to their friends, families, and allies wishing to provide critical assistance. As dire as life after prison can be, the women and men in Healing Justice: Transformed Lives offer hope and a glimpse of a better future for all those making this journey.

Copies of the videos will be distributed for individual and organizational use.

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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Our work is based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

Copies of the videos will be distributed for individual and organizational use.

“Bottom line--if you don’t do something to ease up all these barriers and restrictions on people who are trying to do the right thing, that keeps kicking them back down, then public safety is going to suffer and people are going to suffer.” Michael B. Jackson, Founder/President – Prison Nation Radio

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"We’re just advocating for those who want to make a change in their life, who want an opportunity." Harvey George, President/Founder – Friends of the Lifer’s Youth Corp, Inc.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Integrity House

New Jersey Institute For Social Justice

Women Who Never Give Up, Inc.