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Reimagining Family Justice

July 1, 2020January 30, 2022 Rebecca Katz

On June 17th, Louisville Family Justice Advocates, ACLU-KY and The Bail Project-Louisville created a Virtual Forum centering on author and journalist, Sylvia A. Harvey’s important new book. The Shadow System: Mass Incarceration and the American Family. The Forum, integrated a keynote from Harvey, first-hand stories from Christina Walker and LeTonya McNeal, two courageous mothers featured in the book, State Representative Attica Scott, and Amanda Hall, ACLU-KY Policy Strategist. This powerful combination inspired participants to reimagine family justice and consider what it means in our community.

Putting Community Health First

May 13, 2020January 30, 2022 Rebecca Katz

COVID-19 brutally demonstrates that local incarceration is not only about criminal justice; it is also about community health. Even before the pandemic, national health experts and the American Bar Association connected incarceration and public health with calls for holistic actions to address the root causes of both.

Kentucky’s History of Confining African American Women Matters Now

March 12, 2020January 30, 2022 Rebecca Katz

Historian Charlene J. Fletcher is a scholar focusing on black women’s history in Kentucky, a survivor of domestic abuse, and an advocate for social change. Her powerful presentation, combining experience, activism, and research, demonstrated the importance of lived experiences in transforming our criminal justice systems.

Justice, Health and Hope in Two Kentucky Communities: Berea and Louisville

February 18, 2020January 30, 2022 Rebecca Katz

Louisville Family Justice Advocates and Partners for Education, Berea College gathered for our third of four collaborative learning exchanges. Participants included teams from Louisville and Berea who work in health, criminal justice and the arts. Some have direct experience with the impact of incarceration. All are committed to connecting our home communities across the rural/urban divide in our state.

An Equity Framework Links Children’s Health to Systems of Power

February 11, 2020March 22, 2020 Rebecca Katz

The health of children and families with incarcerated loved ones in Louisville Metro is at the heart of our organization. We use a health equity framework to guide our analysis of the power systems that shape criminal justice in Louisville.

LFJA Stories: Layfierre Mitchell, Photographer

October 14, 2019January 30, 2022 jjenn1947

Alleyway After Rain, Photograph by Layfierre Mitchell He didn’t really have a childhood. When he was a young boy, Layfierre remembers his Dad being around some. He popped in and out of his life for a while. His father had multiple run-ins with the law and was in and out of the justice system. Layfierre… Continue reading LFJA Stories: Layfierre Mitchell, Photographer

Artmaking for Family Justice: A New Resource

May 13, 2019January 30, 2022 jjenn1947

Sewing Card Created for Visitors Lobby of Louisville Metro JailMichelle Amos, Artist By Judi Jennings, Special Project Director The Special Project Team is happy to provide this FREE resource for strengthening protective factors and resilience for children and youth with incarcerated loved ones! The artmaking leaders use these 12 activities, along with Sesame Street resources,… Continue reading Artmaking for Family Justice: A New Resource

How Having an Incarcerated Parent Harms Children’s Health and What You Can Do About It

May 1, 2019January 30, 2022 jjenn1947

Kentucky has the second highest rate (15%) in the nation of children who have had an incarcerated parent. This rate is nearly double the national rate of 8%. Having an incarcerated parent is an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), a form of trauma. This trauma can lead to toxic stress, which can harm health. For example,… Continue reading How Having an Incarcerated Parent Harms Children’s Health and What You Can Do About It

Doing Family Justice in Louisville, KY

April 2, 2019January 30, 2022 jjenn1947

A Special Project Art Leader demonstrates how to make a Wish Doll during a community meeting. By Judi Jennings, Director of The Special Project Louisville Family Justice Advocates is a “new” coalition, yet it is more than two years in the making. And 10 years before that, The Special Project, a lead partner in the… Continue reading Doing Family Justice in Louisville, KY

What is Family Justice? Why Advocate?

February 25, 2019January 30, 2022 jjenn1947

Nikkia’s story Nikkia’s father was in and out of jail and prison from the time she was a baby. Yet she definitely had a relationship with him. She still recalls how her mother read letters to her from her Dad when she was growing up. Growing up—and even now in her 20s—Nikkia feels like she… Continue reading What is Family Justice? Why Advocate?