a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
“We couldn’t do our job without outstanding volunteers. I go back to one in particular: Tom Franke. He’s been one of those people that, if I needed a volunteer, I would call him up. He could be asleep, but he'd wake up and come on over to meet me at the prison. Tom just brings a whole new dimension to volunteering. It’s not an obligation for him, it’s a passion.” -John Givens, Circles of Support Coordinator
CHANGEMAKERS TOGETHER BY LINDA KETCHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It was 23 years ago that I attended the first “Returning Prisoner Simulation.” It was my introduction to JustDane, then known as Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM). The event was huge. Over 150 people attended, they were short of volunteers to staff tables, and so I was invited to fill the role of a “parole officer.” Over the next year, I would become a regular volunteer for another new initiative called Family Connections. We took children to visit their moms at Taycheedah prison, and I got to know Sister Esther Heffernan, a strong advocate for justice who used her charm and cunning to persuade the warden to allow us into the prison. Esther served for many years as a Family and Reading Connections volunteer and as a member of our Board.
JUST THE FACTS Volunteer Applications in 2021: 104 Total Number of Volunteers: 345 Total Service Hours in 2021: 4409 Youngest Volunteer: 19 years old Oldest Volunteer: 93 years young Initiative with Most Volunteers: Circles of Support Join us as a JustDane volunteer today! Contact Lara Miller at lara@justdane.org. Winter 2022
JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
It has been my great privilege to work side by side with incredible volunteers who make our work possible. I think of Stan and Yolanda Woodard. They helped launch our simulations and our first Circle of Support. Year after year as “Mr. and Mrs. Soul Santa” they visited our annual holiday party for families impacted by incarceration. I remember Mary Bean, a long-time volunteer with JustDane, with her church, and with numerous organizations. At simulations, we often shared a table. I remember the seemingly endless energy of Fred Reames. He volunteered on our Board, participated in simulations, and mentored a child in Mentoring Connections. Volunteers have sustained JustDane’s community presence for nearly 50 years.
"Proximity changes policy, proximity changes us." -Bryan Stevenson
We are proud of the role we’ve played to help train and educate new generations of people working for systemic reforms. We bring people together to inform and strengthen advocacy for community justice. Over the years, JustDane has served as an internship placement site for students from Madison College, Edgewood, and the University of Wisconsin. We often are the only organization that will accept interns who are justice involved, a need we willingly address.
Since 1973 volunteers have helped make our work possible by engaging in our community initiatives and providing quite literally hundreds of thousands of hours of their time. Civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson wrote, “There is no wholeness outside of our reciprocal humanity.” The individuals, currently 200 of you, who volunteer with JustDane understand reciprocity – that through being in proximity, in relationship with one another, we are made more whole. The individuals who participate in our initiatives understand this. It is why they share their stories, and why they become volunteers, whether at JustDane or with other organizations.
Sister Esther Heffernan* and Mary Bean*
Mr. and Mrs. Soul Santa with Linda
Fred Reames* with his mentee
Wholeness comes through building authentic relationships. Relationships transcend the boundaries of volunteer work, becoming long-term friendships. As Bryan Stevenson says, “proximity changes policy, proximity changes us.” Thank you to all our volunteers and interns. Over the years you have been in proximity and worked for policy change. Thank you for your willingness to be changed through your experiences as volunteers. Thank you for supporting individuals seeking change in their lives. Thank you for changing JustDane and our community. *Gone but not forgotten
JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community
We are so thankful for all of our dedicated volunteers who help support JustDane's mission. On the occasion of his volunteer retirement after 12 years of dedicated service, we'd like to especially celebrate Tom Franke. As JustDane’s staff member John Givens sits next to Tom Franke, he recalls the importance of volunteers like him. Twenty-five years ago, Franke picked up his life in Illinois and moved to Wisconsin to build a new family home and enjoy retirement. He had never been involved with volunteer work before, but upon seeing an ad in the paper for the organization Meals on Wheels, Franke’s life changed completely. Fifteen years later, he was still working with that organization until physical difficulties made it too challenging for him to continue. That’s when he was introduced to JustDane. Not knowing much about the prison system, Franke attended a meeting to learn more. Immediately, he was invested. After the meeting ended, he became engrossed in conversation with facilitator Barbara McKinney. She asked him if he would like to join their team, and he simply responded with, “Sure, I’ll give it a shot.” Since then, twelve years have passed, during which Franke kept right on working alongside JustDane staff and fellow volunteers. If he could do anything in his lifetime, Franke says it would be to create a change in the prison system. His message to the public is a note of encouragement to join the JustDane team in any way possible. Franke credits Givens with allowing him to see that we need more people to become incensed with the inner workings of the justice system because the transition between incarceration and normalcy is far too difficult for many former prisoners to navigate. While Franke gushes on about the work his friend John Givens does, it’s clear that Givens, in turn, is equally grateful for Franke. “Tom brings a whole new dimension to volunteering,” Givens says, “It’s not something he feels obligated to do, it’s his passion.” Franke has become a part of the JustDane family. The work he has contributed during these past twelve years has made an enormous impact. We are saddened to see him leave, but JustDane is honored to have had the opportunity to know and work with him. Thank you, Tom Franke, for all that you have done. JustDane can continue making a difference because of people like you.
And I met John...and he's probably the most influential person I've ever met. He's a wonderful man. He's probably saved more men than anyone else I ever knew by his dedication to his job. These are wonderful years working with John. I have learned a lot. I can't tell you how much I love him. -Tom Franke www.justdane.org
JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
JustDane Intern Spotlight Sofia Drotts, Storytelling School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Senior Major: BA in Psychology Fun Facts: Grew up in the city of Chicago, First language is Spanish Internship Goal: I want to help uplift the voices of those impacted by the system in hopes that sharing their stories can inspire much needed reform in our current criminal justice system. Future Plans: Applying to PhD programs for Clinical Forensic Psychology
Madelyn Hermus, Just Bakery Employment & Outreach School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, First Year Grad Student Major: Master of Social Work Fun Facts: Grew up in Appleton area, Loves working with children Internship Lesson: It is extremely difficult to be a productive member of the community due to many factors. Each person's situation is unique, so it is important to take the time to get to know them in order to support them. Future Plans: Working with juveniles as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Keilyn Howard, Circles of Support School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Senior Major: BA in Psychology, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice Fun Facts: From the suburbs of Chicago, Loves hiking and road trips Internship Goal: I wanted to gain a better sense of cultural competency, community engagement, and providing support for a diverse group of people. I am so lucky I met John Givens in my freshman year! Future Plans: Taking a gap year of travel before heading to grad school
Lucia Bailey, Reentry Simulation School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Senior Major: BS in Neurobiology and Psychology Fun Facts: From Minnesota, Has over 30 cousins, Learning to play the guitar Internship Lesson: The picture of the system painted through media and statistics never tells the full story. Hearing the real stories of people with lived experiences has been very eye opening. Future Plans: Seeking a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community
We love our interns! Elizabeth Aswegan, Just Bakery Resource Specialist School: Madison College, Final Year Major: Associates Degree in Human Services Fun Facts: Has 3 cats, Loves reading, horror movies, and nature Internship Lesson: I have struggled with addiction and mental health and my time in jail greatly informed my desire to work in Human Services. Regardless of your past, everyone is treated equally at Just Bakery. Future Plans: Getting certified as a Peer Support Specialist as well as considering a Master's degree
Jordan Shapiro, Storytelling School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Senior Major: BA in Legal Studies and Creative Writing Fun Facts: From the city of Chicago, Interned for Urban Triage last year Internship Goal: I have been looking for a way to intersect my plans of working to fight back against an unjust criminal justice system with my passions for writing. JustDane is allowing me to do just that. Future Plans: Taking a gap year in Chicago while prepping for law school
Samantha Andes, Just Bakery Employment & Outreach School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Senior Major: BS in Psychology Fun Facts: A true empath, Loves time with family and getting to know people on more than just a superficial level Internship Goal: I hope to learn more about myself, my passion for this line of work, and what my specific strengths and weaknesses are. Future Plans: Working while determining the right path for grad school
Stay tuned for more information about our 2022 JustConversations schedule! Upcoming Topics: *Fair Hiring and Just Workplaces *Critical Youth-Centered Mentoring *Education Options in Prison *Mental Health Effects of Trauma
Started in 2021, JustConversations is a monthly, virtual conversation series envisioned to engage our community in discussion around important, timely issues that affect us all. It is only together that we can invoke real change and further JustDane's vision of a community where everyone has a chance to succeed. Let's talk. www.justdane.org
JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
JustDane Welcomes Author of Halfway Home On November 9th, JustDane had the pleasure of bringing Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to speak on his book Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration. During an on-stage conversation with Angela Russell, Chief Diversity Officer of CUNA Mutual Group and JustDane Board Member, Dr. Miller explained the obstacles that formerly incarcerated individuals face when reentering society. He took the audience along as he described their reentry journeys, highlighting the simple truth that life after incarceration has become a form of prison in and of itself. Halfway Home gives voice to the realities that many JustDane participants face.
Dr. Miller’s talk helped us to deeply understand the various reentry barriers that are in place to further punish and keep an unjust system intact. Through his method of living in proximity with the people whose stories he shares, Dr. Miller lets us see the world through the eyes of those experiencing incarceration and its impact after their release from prison. He calls attention to the need for us to hear from those with lived experience. His central message is that incarceration doesn’t just affect those who are convicted, but it also involves families and loved ones, and it negatively impacts whole communities when former prisoners are barred from full participation in society. Again and again, through personal reentry stories, we see how existing systems fail when it comes to reentry. As Dr. Miller puts it, our society will be judged on how we treat the most vulnerable people, and our criminal justice system represents that we are failing them. His talk explained how the restrictions that are in place continuously exclude and punish the formally incarcerated, while simultaneously creating an image that these individuals deserve this type of social exclusion. Halfway Home calls on us to do better, to care more about those who are pushed to the outside of society, and to fight for what is right.
JustDane is looking forward to bringing more events like this to the community in 2022. What topics would you like us to cover? Contact Lara Miller at lara@justdane.org to share your thoughts. JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community
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Tribute Gifts to JustDane in 2021 In Honor of: Amy Everson & Kurt Johnson Andrea Cooper August Witte Carmella Glenn Dawn Anderson & Bambi Tischer Elyssa Seltzer First Unitarian Society, Madison Healing House Helen Madsen Janie Ocejo Jennifer Thompson Jillian & John Hayes Wedding Jillyhop Joshua Champion Julie Luecke Just Bakery Kristin Rolling Linda Newman Margaret Irwin Martha Mulligan Mike Gifford Nicole Sandler Quartz Health Solutions Ryan Westergaard, MD
In Memory of: Gordon & Margie Krause Ken Mulligan
Thank you to our generous supporters! You help us transform individual lives and social systems to create a just and equitable community.
Supporters Covenant Presbyterian Church Gundlach Family Fund The Jack and Arlene Schumann Foundation Otto Bremer Trust Public Health Madison and Dane County Saint Dunstan's Episcopal Church SPL Legacy Foundation Steve Stricker American Family Foundation Wisconsin Council of Churches
Thank you to our Reentry Simulation Hosts! You help us bring awareness and advocate for our neighbors reentering society after incarceration.
2021 Simulation Hosts Edgewood College Bethel and Messiah Lutheran Churches UW School of Psychology
www.justdane.org
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2115 South Park Street Madison, Wisconsin 53713
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(608) 256-0906 justdane.org
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Reentry Simulations are back in action!
Conducted in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Vermont, Tennessee, and Washington, DC Conducted for faith community groups, students, professional groups, nonprofits, and corporations Over 100 of these community experiential learning events provided by JustDane since 1999 New and improved for 2022 with revamped content, updated accuracy and a fresh new design
Contact Lara Miller at lara@justdane.org to inquire about bringing this experience to your group in 2022. JustDialogue is a reflective journal of social action printed by JustDane staff. The positions expressed here are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the board of directors or funding sources of JustDane. Faith communities and all individual members receive a copy. Individual membership in JustDane is encouraged. Please mail contributions to our address or visit JustDane’s website at justdane.org.