Women’s Committee

The Hope and Connection event at CIW on July 13 was an incredible success! We had strong attendance from both incarcerated guests and TPW members. We are grateful to everyone who came to support. Big shoutout to Uncuffed for co-hosting, Bleu Inkk for incredible facilitation of the event, and Candace Nicholas-Lippman for the unforgettable performances!

One of the highlights of the event was our panel featuring both formerly incarcerated program providers (including TPW Advisory Board Member, Susan Bustamante!)  and currently incarcerated participants, who shared insights and experiences. Some of the key themes we heard were:

• A strong desire for more mentoring programs, particularly those that focus on board preparation and "big sister" type relationships.

• The need for workshops and skills training focused on building healthy relationships, both within the prison and in preparation for life outside.

• The need for programs that facilitate and support family reunification.

• The importance of financial literacy and practical reentry programs.

• The  impact of community-based organizations (CBOs) coming into the institution. Your organizations are seen as an extension of the community, offering hope and a sense of belonging. Participants felt that CBOs facilitated connections with like-minded individuals, fostering a positive environment where they could uplift one another and avoid getting lost in labels!

We left the event feeling inspired and committed to continuing this important work. Stay tuned for more in-prison symposiums in 2025—we look forward to building on the momentum!