As we approach the end of the year, the Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM) looks back on an extraordinary year of growth, unity, and impact. Our journey through 2023 has demonstrated the power of collective action and the unwavering determination of those dedicated to justice and empowerment. As we reflect on our achievements and look ahead to a brighter future, we want to highlight and express our immense gratitude to the incredible network that drives our movement and the significant victories we have celebrated. FICPFM extends heartfelt thanks to our network’s leaders, advocates, champions, and world-changers. In this spirit of gratitude and shared vision, we invite you to support our continued journey with a donation. Your contribution at this crucial time will help fuel our campaigns into the new year, support the world’s largest network of directly impacted leaders, and ensure our collective voice remains united. Let’s keep building a future of justice and empowerment for all.
Empowering & Uplifting Our Voices
The #FreeTheVote campaign and the Quest for Democracy initiative are twin pillars of our enduring commitment to empower and uplift directly impacted individuals. Through these programs, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of informed and engaged communities and the ripple effect of empowering leaders to advocate for their rights and those of others.
With the launch of our fourth Quest for Democracy (Q4D) Grant cycle, we continue to champion and expand the largest network of directly impacted leaders, awarding general operating funds to an unprecedented 42 organizations nationwide. Through Quest for Democracy, FICPFM supports and celebrates the burgeoning potential of leaders and organizations dedicated to engaging and empowering communities. Our commitment to “Power the Movement” is more than a goal; it’s a testament to our unwavering belief that we all win when the movement is powered.
This initiative has fostered an environment of growth and support, enabling participants in the Q4D cohort to engage in various trainings throughout the year. In Kentucky, one such training found leaders like Life Coach Each One Teach One Reentry Fellowship’s Savvy Shabazz and Marcus Jackson from ABLE-KY utilizing their skills to launch impactful efforts under the #FreeTheVote campaign.
The #FreeTheVote initiative aims to educate and engage directly impacted voters nationwide, ensuring active participation in shaping their communities. The campaign has ignited a movement by successfully highlighting engagement needs in multiple states, including a notable victory in Kentucky and rallying support in places like Tallahassee against civic injustices. Employing a myriad of strategies from direct mailing to convenings and supported by key partnerships with leaders like Executive Director Saleem Holbrook of Abolitionist Law Center (ALC), voter education activists like Equal Ground, and partner organizations like Friends and Family of the Wrongfully Convicted, #FreeTheVote has connected with thousands of directly impacted individuals across the country.
While exact statistics on voting participation are still unfolding, the stories of individuals stepping into their power to vote and participate fully in their communities are profound markers of success.
Housing4All
As we look back on 2023, FICPFM’s #Housing4All initiative, spearheaded by FICPFM Co-National Organizer Kimberly Dunne, has been a pivotal part of our journey towards justice and empowerment. This year has been particularly significant as we near the completion of our first phase, laying a robust foundation for understanding and tackling the housing needs of directly impacted individuals.
Throughout this first phase, we’ve achieved a crucial milestone by connecting with and signing on 22 partner organizations across 14 states. The growth of this initiative indicates our communities’ urgent need for #Housing4All. These partnerships are at the heart of our strategy, strengthening our collective voice and ability to advocate for change.
Through #Housing4All, FICPFM has offered comprehensive training on communications, C3/C4, policy, and litigation that has been vital to empowering our partners and community leaders. These sessions have provided the tools and knowledge necessary to champion housing justice effectively and prepared us for this phase’s final stage: the organizing training. Our final training, Organizing, is critical to mobilizing our network for direct action and setting the stage for impactful advocacy as we expand our reach.
As we move into the new year and the next phase of Housing4All, we’re encouraged by the progress made and the partnerships formed. Our momentum is a testament to the power of collective action and advocacy, and we remain committed to ensuring that equitable housing becomes a reality for all in the communities we serve.
Inside FICPFM
In a year marked by significant milestones, FICPFM is honored to announce our reception of the prestigious 2023 American Society of Criminology (ASC) President’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Justice. This esteemed recognition, personally selected by the ASC President, reflects our unwavering dedication and impactful efforts toward justice and empowerment. It’s a testament to the collective work of our dynamic team and the broad network we serve and are proud to represent.
As we celebrate this monumental achievement, FICPFM welcomes Brittany White as our Director of Special Projects. Brittany’s vast experience, from her influential role as Decarceration Director at Live Free to Statewide Campaign Manager for Faith in Texas, equips her with the unique insight and innovative approach necessary to empower justice-impacted organizers nationwide. Her leadership promises to propel our campaigns forward, infusing new energy and perspective into our mission.
The year 2023 has also been an incredible period for Omar Onque, whose achievements have significantly advanced our mission. Omar’s journey from Forward Justice Organizer to a recognized leader in Kentucky’s Free the Vote effort is a story of unwavering commitment and resilience. His strategic use of digital outreach has connected with over 60,000 Kentuckians, ensuring their active participation and representation in the democratic process.
Earlier this year, Onque was invited to The Movement Cooperative’s (TMC) inaugural annual conference, where he deepened his knowledge of technology and digital Organizing. This experience, alongside his acknowledgment by the Real Times Media’s Who’s Who in Black Charlotte, highlights his indispensable contribution to FICPFM and underscores his influential presence within the broader movement.
As we look forward to the new perspectives and strategies Brittany will bring and celebrate the milestones Omar has achieved this year, we are reminded of the dynamic and passionate team driving our mission forward. Together, their combined expertise, innovative strategies, and unwavering commitment are not just contributing to our campaigns but are actively shaping a future where every directly impacted individual is recognized, empowered, and counted. With leaders like Brittany and Omar at the helm, FICPFM is poised to continue making significant strides toward a more inclusive and just society. Their stories and leadership inspire us to strive for greater heights in our collective pursuit of justice and equality.
Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond
As the festive season envelops us and 2024 stands on the threshold, FICPFM is gearing up for a year of remarkable growth and more profound impact. Our national convening is set to bring together diverse voices, rekindling our shared mission with fresh enthusiasm. As we embrace this time of reflection and anticipation, we invite each of you to be part of this transformative journey. Your voice, actions, and support are the cornerstones of the brighter, more inclusive future we strive to build together.
In the spirit of the season, we take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed—a year marked by both challenges and triumphs. The stories and successes of our community continue to shine, guiding our path forward. With hearts full of gratitude and determination, we enter the new year, ready to continue our unwavering march toward justice, empowerment, and hope. Together, we affirm our commitment to ensuring that every directly impacted individual and their families are integral to a promising future.
We invite you to deepen your involvement in our cause. As you consider your year-end giving, we ask you to support our mission with a donation. Your generosity will fuel our campaigns, support our directly impacted leaders, and ensure our voice remains a call for change and progress. Together, let’s pledge to make every voice heard, every story acknowledged, and every dream of a better future a tangible reality.
As you gather with loved ones and share in the season’s joy, FICPFM sends heartfelt wishes for a holiday filled with peace, warmth, and the comfort of the community. May your celebrations be merry, your hearts be light, and your new year be bright with the promise of positive change. Together, let’s look forward to 2024, where “Count us in” is not just a phrase but a manifestation of our collective strength and unity in crafting a world where justice and opportunity are within everyone’s reach.