Letters & Updates

NPEP Justice Fellows receive nonprofit grants

NPEP Justice Fellows Maria Garza and Javier Reyes recently received two state grants for their nonprofit, Challenge II Change.

A grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Housing for Justice-Involved Individuals (HJIIP) “gave us money to purchase and rehab property for housing individuals recently released from prison or county jail and or individuals who are having housing hardships due to past prison/county time,” Garza said.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Reimagine Public Safety Grant gives Challenge II Change the ability to find offices, hire staff, and continue providing supportive services to those who are at the highest risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of violence, especially gun violence.

“We can also support individuals who have been recently released or previously released who, by not having supportive services, are at risk of committing crimes,” Garza said.

Through these grants, Challenge II Change was able to hire Darryl Johnson, an NPEP student who was released earlier this year.

NPEP students released, plan to continue pursuing degrees

In 2023, NPEP students James Soto, Jacob Currey, Brandon Perkins, and Darryl Johnson were released, joining previously released students Broderick Hollins, Maria Garza, and James Lenoir. They plan on continuing with NPEP as they navigate life on the outside.

“It is with tremendous excitement that I can say I have been released!” Currey said. “I look forward to continuing the program and doing everything I can to advocate for my fellow classmates still incarcerated.”

NPEP student Joel Davis featured in play showcase

In November, Joel “Yoel” Davis, an NPEP student, premiered his play, “In Search of a Better Place,” at the Play On! Student Playwright Festival and Competition at Oakton College.

Students from community colleges in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were invited to submit a script of a one-act play or storytelling monologue in any genre or style. Four Oakton theater students and two Oakton theater alumni directed an ensemble of 17 performers for the festival.

“In Search of a Better Place” is a one-act play that explores systemic racism through a fictional debate between well-known Black activists and historians, weaving quotations from their writings as dialogue in the play. Historical characters include Bobby E. Wright, John Franklin, Alfred A. Moss, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, and William Cooper.

NPEP student Michael Broadway publishes debut novel

In between battling Stage 4 prostate cancer, completing his classwork for NPEP, and navigating life at Stateville, Michael Broadway still found the time to write and publish a book.

His debut, One Foot In, is a coming-of-age story about two best friends, Frank and Dupree, trying to navigate the gritty streets of Chicago.

Broadway is working on his second book, a sequel to his debut novel. One Foot In can be purchased on Amazon.

Stateville & Logan students host holiday parties

During the month of December, several holiday celebrations were held for NPEP students.

On December 4, NPEP staff, tutors, and faculty visited Logan students to ring in the holiday season. Students enjoyed a holiday spread, watched news coverage of the Stateville graduation, and talked about their upcoming courses, milestones, and eventual graduation.

And on December 11, a holiday party for Stateville students was held inside the facility’s theater.

Cohort 3 student Donnell Green was at the Stateville party:

More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the holiday season at Stateville. NPEP graduate Tony Triplett deejayed the event, which encouraged people to get out of their seats and dance. Cohort 4 student Jabari Nicks even did the Cha Cha Slide.

There was a DIY cookie station, where students created scenes of the holidays for a cookie-making contest. Ian Valencia, of Cohort 4, and Jason Gorham, of Cohort 3, battled for best display. There was much debate about who came in first.

Holidays are tough for individuals in custody, as their need for family connection grows. Separation is more evident. “Being here feels good,” said Cohort 2 student Todd Mandoline. “We’re usually in a cell all day, so having people to come in here who care about us, we need that.”

“It was highly important for me to get everyone here and party with you guys,” said NPEP Deputy Director Michelle Paulsen. “We’re a community and that’s what communities do — they’re there for each other in times of hardship and in celebration.”

Women’s Justice Institute holds event featuring NPEP students

On October 30, more than 50 domestic violence survivors from inside Logan Correctional Center shared their stories through performance and dance for Look at Me 2023: A Dark Butterfly’s Shattered Silence.

Several NPEP students participated.

Erika Ray, Stephanie Bonds, and Vanecha Cooper recited a poem together on the voices of the womenfolk. Additionally, Vanecha performed a singing duet, and Stephanie danced in a synchronized routine.

Margaret DeFrancisco recited a personal essay on surviving domestic abuse.

Joyce McGee performed a poem on the definition of justice. Joyce also performed as a dancer alongside Shawnette Green, who sang a song on freedom.

In the event’s art competition, Patty Ouska won third place for her piece, “Hurt People Hurt People.”

Based in Chicago, the Women’s Justice Institute works to end women's mass incarceration, to reduce harm to impacted women (and gender-expansive individuals), their children and families, and to improve health, well-being, and outcomes among them.

NPEP Justice Fellow holds program’s first community panel

On November 2, NPEP hosted a panel, “Community Response to Reentry and Recidivism,” on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

Oscar Parham, an NPEP Justice Fellow, was the moderator of the panel, which included a Northwestern professor, reentry organizers, and people who were previously incarcerated.