BY LINDA KETCHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“To show compassion for an individual without showing concern for the structures of society that make them an object of compassion is to be sentimental rather than loving.” Rev.
William Sloane Coffin
Dear Friends:
JustDane held the first Reentry Simulation ™ in January, 1999 The activity allows the participants a glimpse into the challenges and barriers faced by individuals who are returning home after incarceration Our goal for the Simulation was and remains straightforward: to help the participants understand the challenges, barriers and frustrations faced by people returning home and to move participants to use that understanding to further engage and help address and alleviate those barriers and challenges.
As William Sloane Coffin says, true compassion is not only feeling another person ’ s pain, it is allowing ourselves to be moved to help relieve their pain and prevent future pain to others
It is a recognition that true compassion and justice are inextricably linked At JustDane, we work to address the individual pain experienced by the people who walk through our doors, and we work to address the societal and systemic conditions that are causing the pain
For many individuals who attend a Reentry Simulation, they do so out of curiosity Maybe they attend because they have heard the call to visit the imprisoned; maybe it’s a class requirement When they entered the room for the Simulation, the opened themselves to the possibility of expanding the boundaries of their compassion It’s a common talking point in volunteer recruitment training that “like attracts like.” We are most comfortable with people who look like us, think like us, worship like us, and have made the same mistakes as us In the nearly 25 years since we started conducting Simulations (I attended the first one in 1999),
I have yet to meet someone who was not moved, who hadn’t had the boundaries of their compassion expanded just a little bit.
Many of our volunteers at JustDane started volunteering after attending a Simulation, they were moved to do more to alleviate someone ’ s suffering, by serving on a Circle of Support, mentoring a child who has an incarcerated parent, or helping conduct Simulations. Still others began engaging in advocacy for reform. As Bryan Stevenson said, we can’t change the world if we aren’t willing to get close to people who are suffering We need to be in proximity with one another When we are, that proximity will change us and when we are changed, we can change the world.
Our State Legislature is currently working to make it more difficult for people who are struggling to access benefits like medical insurance, food assistance,
Continued on page 2
Spring 2023
a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
Linda Ketcham: Continued from page 1
unemployment assistance, and housing assistance- all while working to limit access to voting rights It is critical to our wellbeing as a community, as a people, to act on our compassion either through volunteering to support individuals who have been historically and intentionally marginalized directly and/or through advocacy It is important to research issues – to understand, for example, that the lack of truly affordable housing is leading to increased homelessness
Homelessness impacts the ability to retain employment If you are a parent and trying to find a job, if your children are not yet school age, you may well be unable to work because affordable childcare is incredibly difficult to find Our legislature seems to want to punish people who are struggling- but there is a different response, a response that goes beyond free clinics, food pantries and shelters
It’s a response that says, again in he words of William Sloane Coffin “Charity yes, always, but never as a
CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF ADVOCACY WITH US!
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of events celebrating our 50th Anniversary in our next newsletter! We are so excited to celebrate with our community!
substitute for justice ” Let our understanding of these systemic injustices move us to continue to expand the boundaries of our compassion Let our understanding of these systemic issues move us beyond sentimentality, to love, to action
Sponsors
Many employers generously match employees' donations to charitable organizations. Ask your employer if they are willing to match, so your dollars to JustDane can be multiplied. Contact Kathy Eckenrod, JustDane Development Director for more details at kathy@justdane.org or 608-513-4364 PAsFiscalAgentforAllied artnersSpecialProjects, cJustDaneissued$48,732.94in hecksbetween2010&2022to Wsupportcommunityserviceslikethe ellnessCenter&communitymeals, youthprograms, summerlunch programs, &scholarships foryouthintheAlliedDrive neighborhood. JustDaneFunFact: JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane Thank you to our generous supporters! You help us transform individual lives and social systems to create a just and equitable community. Supporters Advent Lutheran Church American Family Insurance Dreams Found, Covenant Presbyterian Church FareStart First Unitarian Society JE Fehsenfeld Family Found The Kroger Foundation
will highlight a
schedule
Madison Community Found Madison Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Madison South Rotary Found Messiah Lutheran Church Willy Street Co-op Wisconsin Council of Churches
Inclusion Forgiveness - Courage
Webster's Dictionary Definition:
com·pas·sion kəm-ˈpa-shən
Noun: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it
From Latin "compati", meaning "to suffer together"
JustDane's definition:
Compassion is the action following empathizing with someone ' s suffering; it is what we do with our empathy that makes a difference in others' lives.
An Example of Compassion: Jackie Austin
Having the opportunity to be a colleague of Jackie Austin has been a true honor and pleasure She brings a depth to each conversation, ever challenging our perspectives and calling us to cultivate an atmosphere of true respect and appreciation for each individual. She is a wordsmith, always impressing on those around her the importance of language and its power to reflect our values of inclusion, compassion, forgiveness and courage
Jackie has filled many roles over the last few decades at MUM and then JustDane-officially in a variety of administrative roles and unofficially as a mentor in the arena of social justice She has pursued opportunities to involve herself in positive endeavors and learning opportunities throughout the community, advocating for those who have been marginalized. One of her biggest contributions has been around the development and honing of our Reentry Simulations This is one of JustDane’s most impactful ways to educate others about the barriers faced by the justice involved individuals we serve
Having been at JustDane for 22 years, Jackie has a rich history and her perspective on our work is invaluable She has personal relationship with many of our longstanding supporters that makes those partnerships even more special We all look up to her and appreciate the example she has set for us and the foundations she has helped lay at JustDane, as well as in the broader community through her volunteer work in our community We know that she will always be a part of our JustDane family Instead of settling into much deserved retirement, she is off to another exciting endeavor I imagine that will continue to be her legacy always doing what she can to change the world around her We send her on her way with lots of love and respect
Thank you for all your years of service with JustDane, Jackie!
justdane.org
Compassion
"Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive"- Dalai Lama
JustDane is ecstatic to share that we will partner with Forward Theater for their production of Clyde's!
Just outside of Reading, PA, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption, as they find purpose and inspiration in their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff members are given purpose and permission to dream. This flavor-bomb of a comedy from Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage makes its Wisconsin premiere after its Tony-nominated run on Broadway.
Individual show tickets to Clyde's will be available in August or subscribe today to Forward's 15th Season and get great perks, including huge savings and guaranteed seating.
JustDane's initiatives: Creating a just and equitable community
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