Advocacy

The desire to catalyze positive change in the world around us is at the heart of philanthropy. It has often been said that the role of philanthropy is ‘to be the venture capital of social change’. Advocacy involves making a case for a cause or a movement and bringing it to those who have the power to make the change.

Why fund advocacy? Many philanthropic organizations shy away from funding advocacy, given its perceived political nature and links with lobbying for profit. This type of funding requires courage but the reasons in favor of it are hard to ignore. It’s a potent strategy that can mobilize action and effect significant change.

For more than one year, the Commission has studied the City’s criminal justice system, and Rikers Island in particular. In addition to gathering formal testimony and interviewing a wide range of experts—city officials, corrections staff, formerly incarcerated New Yorkers and their families, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clergy, service providers, advocates, and others—the Commission undertook a far-reaching community engagement process, including meetings with the faith community, design workshops, public roundtables throughout the City, and a website to solicit public input. The Commission also performed in-depth data analysis and evaluated model programs and practices from across the country and around the world.

The prison system both in the United States and Connecticut is a constant revolving door through which thousands pass each and every year. Unfortunately, many of those entering our prisons are formerly-incarcerated individuals returning after failing to make it on the outside. In Connecticut, over half of released prisoners return within three years of their release, thereby costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

This survey seeks to 1) identify the current practices and prevailing attitudes of large and small employers in Connecticut regarding the hiring of formerly-incarcerated job applicants; 2) examine what incentives or other factors might enhance the prospects of ex-offenders landing jobs; and 3) consider possible reforms or initiatives that might drive better outcomes in terms of reducing recidivism and turning Connecticut’s formerly-incarcerated population into productive, taxpaying members of their communities, thereby relieving some of the strains on Connecticut’s criminal justice and correction budgets.

Partnership For Strong Communities, in partnership with the Consultation Center at the Yale University School of Medicine, presents a report on the causal factors and shared experiences of Connecticut homeless youth. The report was compiled using testimonials from homeless youth between the ages of 14-24, and the service providers and advocates who serve this vulnerable population.

Published by Partnership For Strong Communities, as part of the Connecticut Runaway and Homeless Youth Project

The full report discusses in detail the conclusions stated in the Executive Summary and includes infographics, a summary of accomplishments and a timeline of change. The full report also describes the transformation of the justice system over two decades and the keys to success that allowed for this advancement.

Published by Justice Policy Institute, as part of CT Juvenile Justice Reform Documentation Project