Sam Lewis’ Post

Blame redlining, racist housing covenants, and predatory lending. While we’re at it, we should blame The New Deal because it excluded black people as well. And after all these years of historical exclusion, and still not righting the wrongs of the past, in 2023 the Supreme Court found that affirmative action was a problem? #systemicracism #inequity #black #affirmativeaction #equity

#SecondChanceMonth may have passed, but CCJ Task Force on Long Sentences member Sam Lewis shares his own story and the powerful impact of second chances for justice-involved individuals. Read his opinion piece in Newsweek at: https://lnkd.in/ghnWVnit

#JusticeAndMobility Fund investee Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, reentry services, and more. We're proud to support them as they expand their Apprenticeship Readiness Program. https://lnkd.in/dTiiEji #SecondChanceMonth

Congratulations to our most recent Ventura Training Center graduates, our first-ever class with 100% completion. Thirty-seven in and thirty-seven out! VTC is an 18-month residential program that consists of firefighting training, rehabilitative programming, life skills, career readiness and much more. The courage and tenacity of these graduates are a testament to the value of real second chance opportunities, as well as the leadership of our facilitators and staff. Thank you to CDCR DAPO, California Conservation Corps and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for sharing this vision and helping make it a reality for so many who need it!

ARC is proud to celebrate the launch of the Los Angeles County Training Center (LACTC) Fire Camp in Calabasas. This transition from Camp Gonzales, a former juvenile detention facility, into LACTC, an inclusive and entirely voluntary workforce readiness program, symbolizes our commitment to building a future that values hope and opportunity over punishment. LACTC is an entirely voluntary program open to veterans and all system-impacted individuals. Participants will receive hands-on fire service training, along with room and board, life-skills training and much more. We could not be more thankful to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Judge Songhai Armstead (Ret.), Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Amity Foundation, and The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, who shared this vision and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Congratulations to the 21 participants in our first cohort, and to the many more to come!