Graham Windham

The Vera Institute of Justice is an organization dedicated to ending mass incarceration and advocating for human dignity, with a focus on addressing the criminalization of marginalized communities, including people of color and immigrants. Through evidence-based research, the institute collaborates with researchers, organizers, and government leaders to create and scale innovative solutions that build thriving communities. By emphasizing the importance of investing in communities and minimizing the harms associated with the criminal justice and immigration systems, the Vera Institute works to drastically reduce the use of jails and detention centers. Their strategic initiatives include advancing universal representation, redefining public safety, and supporting comprehensive strategies to ensure accountability and well-being within communities. Generated from the website

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, an independent nonprofit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million children from New York City s toughest neighborhoods. Each year, close to 6,000 children stay with volunteer host families 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program. In addition, the fund owns five camps in upstate New York where 3,000 children attend summer camp each year. The Fresh Air camps are located on 2,300 acres at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, N.Y., and feature lakes, ponds, streams and hiking trails. When The Fresh Air Fund began, New York City was overflowing with poor children living in crowded tenements. Many of these youngsters were hit by a tuberculosis epidemic, and fresh air was considered a cure for respiratory ailments.

Newark Opportunity Youth Network is a collaborative organization in Newark, NJ, dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by over 100,000 opportunity youth in the state. By disrupting the status quo and implementing proven strategies, they aim to bridge the equity gap and provide better opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in school or working. With a mission-driven approach and a focus on clear outcomes, Newark Opportunity Youth Network is committed to creating positive change and breaking the cycle of system failures that affect this shadow population. Their efforts are guided by collaborative thought-leaders and partners, aiming to reshape the conversation and improve the lives of opportunity youth in New Jersey.Generated from the website