1 00:00:10,333 --> 00:00:12,933 There are constants in the human experience. 2 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,166 People need enough to eat a safe place to live, 3 00:00:16,233 --> 00:00:19,300 and something productive and meaningful to do, 4 00:00:19,366 --> 00:00:22,033 to be able to take care of themselves and their 5 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:24,733 families with their heads held high. 6 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:28,133 When these needs are met, citizens are free to live 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,900 their lives, realize their potential and contribute to 8 00:00:31,966 --> 00:00:33,133 their communities. 9 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,433 One gateway to meeting these needs is the simple 10 00:00:36,500 --> 00:00:38,533 dignity of work. 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,900 But people coming home from prison often don't get a 12 00:00:41,966 --> 00:00:45,200 fair chance to get a decent job. 13 00:00:45,266 --> 00:00:48,100 That's starting to change. 14 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:03,566 Returning Citizens is made possible by 15 00:01:33,533 --> 00:01:38,233 the United Way, fostering the success of those who as 16 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:40,933 they return to our neighborhoods, remain a 17 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:45,700 largely untapped resource, the formerly incarcerated. 18 00:01:45,766 --> 00:01:49,766 Waterman II Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation at 19 00:01:49,833 --> 00:01:51,966 the recommendation of David Haas, 20 00:01:52,033 --> 00:01:54,600 the Independence Foundation. 21 00:01:59,933 --> 00:02:01,733 Uh, I was a prosecutor. 22 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,233 I represented the government in criminal court in the 23 00:02:05,300 --> 00:02:08,966 District of Columbia, and I used that power to put black 24 00:02:09,033 --> 00:02:10,266 men in prison. 25 00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:12,700 During the time that I did that work, 26 00:02:12,766 --> 00:02:16,166 I learned some things that changed the ways that I felt 27 00:02:16,233 --> 00:02:18,566 about my responsibilities as an American, 28 00:02:18,633 --> 00:02:22,166 as an African American, and as a person who wants to 29 00:02:22,233 --> 00:02:24,033 make a difference in this world. 30 00:02:24,100 --> 00:02:27,600 I first met Jeff Brown at Eastern State Penitentiary 31 00:02:27,666 --> 00:02:30,500 where we were a guest on a TV program about 32 00:02:30,566 --> 00:02:31,966 mass incarceration. 33 00:02:32,633 --> 00:02:34,966 A grocery store owner by trade, 34 00:02:35,033 --> 00:02:38,700 Jeff seemed like a CEO on a mission. 35 00:02:38,766 --> 00:02:42,133 So our journey, um, in the criminal justice reform 36 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,233 really started with a different objective, 37 00:02:44,300 --> 00:02:46,400 um, 15 years ago. 38 00:02:46,466 --> 00:02:48,966 I'm a fourth generation grocer, by the way, 39 00:02:49,033 --> 00:02:51,266 Meeting with Jeff on his home ground, 40 00:02:51,333 --> 00:02:54,933 I heard I was personal journey with Returning Citizens. 41 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:59,600 Started with opening stores in food deserts to help 42 00:02:59,666 --> 00:03:02,833 low-income communities gain access to fresh, 43 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:04,933 affordable food. 44 00:03:05,700 --> 00:03:07,833 So some people may not have heard the term 45 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:08,966 food desert before. 46 00:03:09,033 --> 00:03:10,600 Can you explain what that means? 47 00:03:10,666 --> 00:03:11,800 Yeah. 48 00:03:11,866 --> 00:03:14,133 Um, it seems like, uh, in in this country and around the 49 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:17,333 world, um, some of the most impoverished areas also have 50 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,533 an added burden of not having a full service grocery store. 51 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,266 So they don't have access to fresh and affordable food 52 00:03:23,333 --> 00:03:25,233 like most, most of us do. 53 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:27,533 And, uh, when you don't have fresh food, 54 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,900 affordable fresh food, it has an incredible impact 55 00:03:30,966 --> 00:03:31,966 on your health. 56 00:03:32,033 --> 00:03:35,133 Often, um, shortening someone's life expectancy, 57 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,233 10, 15 or 20 years. 58 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:41,133 It seemed to me, uh, like so horrible in this country 59 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:43,900 that someone would, a little baby would be born and 60 00:03:43,966 --> 00:03:46,833 they're gonna live 15, 20 years less 'cause they 61 00:03:46,900 --> 00:03:48,533 lacked a grocery store and it seems like someone should 62 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:49,766 care about that. 63 00:03:49,833 --> 00:03:52,533 Um, we started with town hall meetings where 64 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,066 we got a lot of feedback from customers. 65 00:03:54,133 --> 00:03:56,600 Wait, well, a town hall meeting for a grocery ... 66 00:03:56,666 --> 00:03:57,500 [crosstalk] Store. Yeah. 67 00:03:57,566 --> 00:03:58,633 Almost like, I'm running for office, 68 00:03:58,700 --> 00:04:00,666 but I'm not, I'm running to be your grocer. 69 00:04:00,733 --> 00:04:02,600 So there, there was that much excitement in the 70 00:04:02,666 --> 00:04:05,200 community about a grocery store that 1,000 people 71 00:04:05,266 --> 00:04:07,033 would show up to a town hall meeting. 72 00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:07,933 It's incredible. 73 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,600 But if you don't have a grocery store, 74 00:04:09,666 --> 00:04:11,433 that is an incredible burden on your life. 75 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:13,500 And the possibility of getting one and getting one 76 00:04:13,566 --> 00:04:14,800 that's gonna serve you is a huge. 77 00:04:14,866 --> 00:04:15,600 Wow. 78 00:04:15,666 --> 00:04:16,766 Huge difference in people's lives. 79 00:04:16,833 --> 00:04:18,033 Yeah. Wow. 80 00:04:18,100 --> 00:04:20,100 And so we first committed that we would keep the jobs local. 81 00:04:20,166 --> 00:04:21,233 Great. And we would train. 82 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:22,333 Great. 83 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,466 Um, of course, what we quickly learned is there was 84 00:04:24,533 --> 00:04:25,500 something different. 85 00:04:25,566 --> 00:04:27,166 Different in what sense? 86 00:04:27,233 --> 00:04:29,100 In a, in a low income community, 87 00:04:29,166 --> 00:04:30,900 and I think this is true almost everywhere in the 88 00:04:30,966 --> 00:04:33,300 country, there's a disproportionate amount of 89 00:04:33,366 --> 00:04:34,400 incarcerated people. 90 00:04:34,466 --> 00:04:35,866 They've been formally incarcerated. 91 00:04:35,933 --> 00:04:36,933 Yeah. 92 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,333 And they're returning, they're returning citizens. 93 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:40,466 And, you know, most employers, 94 00:04:40,533 --> 00:04:43,133 whether it's a conscious policy or an unconscious 95 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,633 policy or a biased, um, they don't wanna hire people that 96 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:47,700 have been to jail. 97 00:04:47,766 --> 00:04:49,766 And, uh, in one of the town hall meetings, 98 00:04:49,833 --> 00:04:53,266 we had a customer explained to me like she educated me. 99 00:04:53,333 --> 00:04:54,433 Yes. 100 00:04:54,500 --> 00:04:56,433 Like, she's not mad at me. She wants me to understand. 101 00:04:56,500 --> 00:04:57,633 She thinks I'm the kind of person that 102 00:04:57,700 --> 00:04:59,466 could understand that. 103 00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:02,366 Um, how will this ever be a long-term success if no one 104 00:05:02,433 --> 00:05:03,366 could work here? 105 00:05:03,433 --> 00:05:05,166 Like, how are they gonna buy your groceries? 106 00:05:05,233 --> 00:05:08,133 And, uh, And a lot of people weren't able to get jobs 107 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:09,933 because they have records. Right. 108 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,200 And so she said to me that the way you could make this 109 00:05:13,266 --> 00:05:16,933 work for us and for you show the world that people that 110 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:18,833 made a mistake can still do a good job. 111 00:05:18,900 --> 00:05:19,800 Wow. 112 00:05:19,866 --> 00:05:21,033 And what did you think when she said that? 113 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:24,233 I, I thought, uh, intellectually she's right on. 114 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:25,400 Right. 115 00:05:25,466 --> 00:05:27,233 Now, the question is, could I overcome and can my team 116 00:05:27,300 --> 00:05:28,833 overcome our fear? Yes. 117 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:30,166 That may be misplaced. 118 00:05:30,233 --> 00:05:32,000 And, uh, after she said that, 119 00:05:32,066 --> 00:05:34,466 in the opening of a, of a new store, 120 00:05:34,533 --> 00:05:37,100 we hired a half a dozen returning citizens. 121 00:05:37,166 --> 00:05:39,066 Wow. Mostly, uh, young people. 122 00:05:39,133 --> 00:05:42,833 And, uh, we were surprised at how good they were. 123 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:45,900 I'm sure there must have been concerns by some of the 124 00:05:45,966 --> 00:05:50,733 other employees or customers about what it would mean to 125 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,633 have people who've done time now working in their 126 00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:55,200 neighborhood grocery store. 127 00:05:55,266 --> 00:05:58,133 Uh, look, we all read the paper or listen to the news. 128 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:00,700 And, uh, initially my employees were, 129 00:06:00,766 --> 00:06:02,433 they, they were afraid. Were afraid. 130 00:06:02,500 --> 00:06:03,633 They were definitely afraid. 131 00:06:03,700 --> 00:06:06,733 Like they didn't, like, like people say it's a criminal, 132 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:07,966 they think they're gonna kill 'em, 133 00:06:08,033 --> 00:06:10,633 or they're, they, they're, they do these horrible things. 134 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:13,466 But of course, people go to jail for a lot of different reasons. 135 00:06:13,533 --> 00:06:16,733 Half the people in jail are, are drug related offenses. 136 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,300 They sold the wrong product, an illegal product instead 137 00:06:19,366 --> 00:06:20,200 of a legal one. 138 00:06:20,266 --> 00:06:22,366 Um, so there's more you need to know. 139 00:06:22,433 --> 00:06:23,300 Yes. 140 00:06:23,366 --> 00:06:25,666 Um, but there, there was an initial fear. 141 00:06:25,733 --> 00:06:28,300 And, um And how did you address that fear? 142 00:06:28,366 --> 00:06:30,133 Well, we're already a mission-driven company. 143 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,366 We have a purpose, uh, to bring joy to the lives of 144 00:06:32,433 --> 00:06:33,500 the people we serve. 145 00:06:33,566 --> 00:06:35,633 And, um, we, I explained to them, 146 00:06:35,700 --> 00:06:37,066 we will not get there. 147 00:06:37,133 --> 00:06:39,800 We will not accomplish our mission if we don't give 148 00:06:39,866 --> 00:06:41,166 people another chance. 149 00:06:41,233 --> 00:06:43,300 And we just won't happen because this is the 150 00:06:43,366 --> 00:06:45,800 neighborhood we're in and this is the problem they have. 151 00:06:45,866 --> 00:06:47,566 And we gotta be with them to help them 152 00:06:47,633 --> 00:06:49,100 overcome this challenge. 153 00:06:49,166 --> 00:06:51,233 And, uh, the first six people, 154 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:53,900 they were afraid until they were successful and they 155 00:06:53,966 --> 00:06:55,100 were less afraid. 156 00:06:55,166 --> 00:06:57,000 And so they learned there wasn't anything to be afraid. 157 00:06:57,066 --> 00:06:58,833 It wa, it wasn't this horrible thing. 158 00:06:58,900 --> 00:07:01,100 These are just people that grew up in, 159 00:07:01,166 --> 00:07:03,166 in a place where there weren't a lot of 160 00:07:03,233 --> 00:07:05,766 opportunities and ended up doing something they 161 00:07:05,833 --> 00:07:06,733 shouldn't have done. 162 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,166 And once they have a chance to do it right, 163 00:07:08,233 --> 00:07:09,100 they're like everyone else. 164 00:07:09,166 --> 00:07:10,533 I just wanna take care of their family. 165 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,633 I got the chance to meet and talk with some of Jeff's team. 166 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:18,133 These are folks who are formerly incarcerated and 167 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,533 now gainfully employed. 168 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,900 So Alexis, you're here making these beautiful 169 00:07:22,966 --> 00:07:24,500 cakes, doing your thing. 170 00:07:24,566 --> 00:07:26,766 Everybody's got a story. 171 00:07:26,833 --> 00:07:28,166 Uh, I did a little bit of time, 172 00:07:28,233 --> 00:07:31,166 maybe just under 12 months, um, in jail. 173 00:07:31,233 --> 00:07:34,133 Um, and being there, something, 174 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,933 some, something woke me up, something woke me up 175 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,533 and I vowed to never put myself in a position like that. 176 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,000 It was my first and my last time. 177 00:07:42,066 --> 00:07:43,633 But when you came home, it was hard. 178 00:07:43,700 --> 00:07:45,100 Yeah, it was very hard. It was very hard. 179 00:07:45,166 --> 00:07:47,333 So, and, and people don't understand. 180 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:48,966 They think, well, you're not in jail anymore, 181 00:07:49,033 --> 00:07:50,033 so it's all good. Yeah. 182 00:07:50,100 --> 00:07:51,133 Yeah. But that's not how it works. 183 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,200 No. 184 00:07:52,266 --> 00:07:54,366 I think the moment you, you leave prison or jail, 185 00:07:54,433 --> 00:07:56,100 that's where, that's where it begins. 186 00:07:56,166 --> 00:07:57,366 That's when the toughness begins. 187 00:07:57,433 --> 00:07:58,900 Why was it tough? Were you working? 188 00:07:58,966 --> 00:08:01,733 Um, it was tough because not a lot of people 189 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,533 want give someone who have a criminal history a chance. 190 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,100 That must have been very discouraging. 191 00:08:06,166 --> 00:08:07,233 It was, it was very discouraging. 192 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:08,333 Yeah. 193 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:09,433 And did you have any work at all during that time? 194 00:08:09,500 --> 00:08:11,600 Yeah, a little, little temporary jobs. 195 00:08:11,666 --> 00:08:13,533 Um, some of 'em didn't pay enough. 196 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,633 Some of 'em was just for a few months. 197 00:08:15,700 --> 00:08:16,866 You wanted something more than a job. 198 00:08:16,933 --> 00:08:18,000 Yeah. 199 00:08:18,066 --> 00:08:19,633 I wanted something that I can see myself at for the 200 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:20,666 rest of my life. 201 00:08:20,733 --> 00:08:23,433 I wanted somewhere where I felt appreciated. 202 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:25,133 I wanted somewhere where I can build. 203 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,833 I wanted somewhere where I can learn things for myself. 204 00:08:27,900 --> 00:08:31,766 I wanted somewhere where I can be an important asset to. 205 00:08:31,833 --> 00:08:33,800 And this was, this was perfect. 206 00:08:33,866 --> 00:08:36,266 I'm the night crew chief Night crew chief. 207 00:08:36,333 --> 00:08:37,133 What's that mean? Yeah. 208 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,166 - So we come in at 11 o'clock. - Okay. 209 00:08:39,233 --> 00:08:40,633 No, customers are inside. 210 00:08:40,700 --> 00:08:42,566 So anything that you see on the shelves that's not 211 00:08:42,633 --> 00:08:44,866 including anything that's cold or frozen, 212 00:08:44,933 --> 00:08:46,900 we fill it up, make it look nice. 213 00:08:46,966 --> 00:08:48,166 So when the customers come in, 214 00:08:48,233 --> 00:08:49,633 everything is ready for them. 215 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:51,066 What do you like best about your job? 216 00:08:51,133 --> 00:08:53,233 The potential to grow. 217 00:08:53,300 --> 00:08:55,066 There's always potential to grow. 218 00:08:55,133 --> 00:08:58,133 When you put your best foot forward and show up, 219 00:08:58,200 --> 00:08:59,600 that's half the battle. 220 00:08:59,666 --> 00:09:01,000 I know you come a long way. 221 00:09:01,066 --> 00:09:03,733 I was going to school for computer technology. 222 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,700 The money wasn't coming in fast enough. 223 00:09:05,766 --> 00:09:08,700 So I had a great idea to hustle some narcotics. 224 00:09:08,766 --> 00:09:09,866 And that's exactly what happened. 225 00:09:09,933 --> 00:09:12,233 The money was coming in, but then my lifestyle changed. 226 00:09:12,300 --> 00:09:15,466 And how long were you in? 227 00:09:15,533 --> 00:09:17,466 I was gone for approximately seven years. 228 00:09:17,533 --> 00:09:18,733 Yes. Wow. 229 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:19,700 Seven years. 230 00:09:19,766 --> 00:09:23,100 So I can't imagine what it's like coming home. 231 00:09:23,166 --> 00:09:23,833 Mm-Hmm. 232 00:09:23,900 --> 00:09:25,700 You're a convicted drug dealer. 233 00:09:25,766 --> 00:09:27,333 You've done seven years. 234 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,433 That day you leave, what do you do? 235 00:09:31,966 --> 00:09:33,366 Oh, what I did, I had a plan. 236 00:09:33,433 --> 00:09:34,566 I wrote everything down. 237 00:09:34,633 --> 00:09:36,166 Wanted to give myself a chance. 238 00:09:36,233 --> 00:09:37,500 And that's exactly what I did. 239 00:09:37,566 --> 00:09:38,600 I followed my plan. 240 00:09:38,666 --> 00:09:39,800 I said, I'm gonna get two jobs. 241 00:09:39,866 --> 00:09:40,866 I'm gonna work the two jobs. 242 00:09:40,933 --> 00:09:42,833 You're gonna get two jobs. Yes, yes, yes. 243 00:09:42,900 --> 00:09:44,533 'cause I, I have things I need to do, 244 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:46,533 you know, I wanted to get a home and take care of myself. 245 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:49,266 'cause I was behind 'em in my forties and I did it. 246 00:09:49,333 --> 00:09:50,466 And I had a slip up. 247 00:09:50,533 --> 00:09:53,200 I had a, a parole officer that sat me down. 248 00:09:53,266 --> 00:09:56,266 So he sat me down in a halfway house for 60 days. 249 00:09:56,333 --> 00:09:58,966 So when I came back home, he knew I didn't have a job. 250 00:09:59,033 --> 00:10:02,166 So he had a piece of paper for uplift solutions and 251 00:10:02,233 --> 00:10:03,066 brown shot. Right. 252 00:10:03,133 --> 00:10:04,000 And he gave it to me. 253 00:10:04,066 --> 00:10:05,200 And that's how I ended up here. 254 00:10:05,266 --> 00:10:07,166 So it actually worked good in my behalf. 255 00:10:07,233 --> 00:10:07,966 Wow. 256 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:09,300 Something negative became positive. 257 00:10:09,366 --> 00:10:10,000 Yeah. 258 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:12,466 Lashawna, I heard you're the boss. 259 00:10:12,533 --> 00:10:14,700 Oh, What do you do? 260 00:10:15,166 --> 00:10:16,866 Anybody that comes through this, 261 00:10:16,933 --> 00:10:18,800 these doors, I want to give 'em a great 262 00:10:18,866 --> 00:10:20,666 experience being here. 263 00:10:20,733 --> 00:10:22,266 Tell, tell us about your journey. 264 00:10:22,333 --> 00:10:25,100 I had did four years for selling drugs, 265 00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:27,366 but I sold drugs for 25 years. 266 00:10:27,433 --> 00:10:29,400 You sold drugs for 25 years? 267 00:10:29,466 --> 00:10:30,866 Yes, I did. 268 00:10:30,933 --> 00:10:34,866 And my objective when I came here was to get rid 269 00:10:34,933 --> 00:10:35,666 of that life. 270 00:10:35,733 --> 00:10:37,766 What happened to make, you know, 271 00:10:37,833 --> 00:10:39,666 you needed to turn your life around? 272 00:10:39,733 --> 00:10:45,400 Well, one, my daughter was in school to be a nurse and 273 00:10:45,466 --> 00:10:47,933 she had a meltdown from me being away. 274 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,533 And my family is getting older, 275 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,300 and I was raised by two good people that gave me good 276 00:10:54,366 --> 00:10:57,400 morals and ethics and I'm educated. 277 00:10:57,466 --> 00:11:01,233 So, you know, the, the beauty of working for these 278 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:03,333 people, and when I mean these people, 279 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:07,333 I mean the Browns, oh, you sold drugs for 25 years. 280 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:09,366 So you've been in the customer service business 281 00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:10,433 for 25 years. 282 00:11:10,500 --> 00:11:13,800 They wanted to develop me to run their store. 283 00:11:13,866 --> 00:11:16,900 So it sounds strange, but there were actually skills 284 00:11:16,966 --> 00:11:21,566 that you learned when you were committing crimes that 285 00:11:21,633 --> 00:11:24,866 have actually helped you in this area. 286 00:11:24,933 --> 00:11:26,033 For sure. 287 00:11:26,100 --> 00:11:29,100 I just redirected them to something legal and positive 288 00:11:29,166 --> 00:11:30,200 this time around. 289 00:11:30,266 --> 00:11:31,200 Yeah. 290 00:11:31,266 --> 00:11:32,600 And what does your daughter think of you now? 291 00:11:32,666 --> 00:11:36,200 Oh, she sleeps good at night and she's proud of me 292 00:11:36,666 --> 00:11:39,766 At nearby Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. 293 00:11:39,833 --> 00:11:43,900 Just hiring of a handful of returning citizens has 294 00:11:43,966 --> 00:11:47,466 evolved into a job and training non-profit 295 00:11:47,533 --> 00:11:52,066 organization called Uplift Workforce Solutions. 296 00:11:52,133 --> 00:11:55,166 So, so workforce solutions, we really wanna look at the 297 00:11:55,233 --> 00:11:58,800 root cause of incarceration and recidivism. 298 00:11:58,866 --> 00:12:00,833 First driver is lack of access to money. 299 00:12:00,900 --> 00:12:02,800 So when I come home, I don't have any money, 300 00:12:02,866 --> 00:12:03,633 but guess what? 301 00:12:03,700 --> 00:12:04,766 I have a skillset. 302 00:12:04,833 --> 00:12:06,733 They're probably landed me in prison the first time, 303 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,833 and so I'm gonna use my skillset to get money. 304 00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:09,933 So we take that off the table, 305 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,600 we provide them a weekly stipend so that way they 306 00:12:12,666 --> 00:12:14,900 have money in their pocket while they go through the program. 307 00:12:14,966 --> 00:12:17,266 When you say skillset that landed them in prison, 308 00:12:17,333 --> 00:12:18,233 say more about that. 309 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:19,700 Yeah, so I mean, you, you think about it, 310 00:12:19,766 --> 00:12:20,966 you think about the communities where 311 00:12:21,033 --> 00:12:23,433 individuals come from and, and one of my pet peeves is 312 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,433 actually the term second chance, 313 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:27,366 because unfortunately, I think, 314 00:12:27,433 --> 00:12:30,766 um, a number of individuals that are incarcerated didn't 315 00:12:30,833 --> 00:12:31,733 have a first chance. 316 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:33,333 So for, a lot of the people you serve, 317 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:35,433 this is the first break they've ever gotten. 318 00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:36,733 That's absolutely right. 319 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:38,533 And even if they've been out and they've been back 320 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:39,833 and they've come out and you and, 321 00:12:39,900 --> 00:12:41,200 um, went into programs before. 322 00:12:41,266 --> 00:12:43,833 Again, this program is unlike any other program 323 00:12:43,900 --> 00:12:45,700 where we do offer a weekly stipend. 324 00:12:45,766 --> 00:12:47,166 We offer a trans pass. 325 00:12:47,233 --> 00:12:49,000 We also offer lunch every day. 326 00:12:49,066 --> 00:12:50,766 And lunch, it sounds good, right? 327 00:12:50,833 --> 00:12:52,700 It's food and people have something to eat. 328 00:12:52,766 --> 00:12:54,066 But it goes beyond that. 329 00:12:54,133 --> 00:12:56,566 We actually use that because one of the other major 330 00:12:56,633 --> 00:12:59,166 drivers of recidivism is, uh, 331 00:12:59,233 --> 00:13:01,766 social socialization and isolation, 332 00:13:01,833 --> 00:13:02,566 isolation, right? 333 00:13:02,633 --> 00:13:04,033 So I don't have a support system. 334 00:13:04,100 --> 00:13:05,833 I don't know how to engage. 335 00:13:05,900 --> 00:13:07,200 So that leads to trouble. 336 00:13:07,266 --> 00:13:08,133 I don't have anyone to support me. 337 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:09,433 I don't know how to engage with someone. 338 00:13:09,500 --> 00:13:12,466 And so we actually teach them by using lunch on how 339 00:13:12,533 --> 00:13:14,166 to relate to one another. 340 00:13:14,233 --> 00:13:15,033 And how do you do that? 341 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:16,133 How do you teach those skills? 342 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,766 So the participants are actually required to serve 343 00:13:18,833 --> 00:13:19,633 one another. 344 00:13:19,700 --> 00:13:21,200 So they take turns actually serving. 345 00:13:21,266 --> 00:13:23,733 Also, there's social graces and, 346 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,100 and social norms that are built into it. 347 00:13:26,166 --> 00:13:29,266 Um, they build a contract where women go first. 348 00:13:29,333 --> 00:13:30,400 And so women go first. 349 00:13:30,466 --> 00:13:33,266 Uh, they all sit together in groups and it's men and 350 00:13:33,333 --> 00:13:36,966 women and they converse at the table while they're eating. 351 00:13:37,033 --> 00:13:38,800 So now we're actually able to, 352 00:13:38,866 --> 00:13:41,566 with our instructors, work with them on how do I relate 353 00:13:41,633 --> 00:13:42,700 in these environments? 354 00:13:42,766 --> 00:13:44,666 Our program is actually steeped in cognitive 355 00:13:44,733 --> 00:13:45,800 behavioral therapy. 356 00:13:45,866 --> 00:13:48,900 Um, we work to eliminate social deficits such as 357 00:13:48,966 --> 00:13:52,400 housing, childcare, um, health insurance. 358 00:13:52,466 --> 00:13:53,800 We've worked to remove all of that. 359 00:13:53,866 --> 00:13:55,966 So when, when the employee actually gets to an employer, 360 00:13:56,033 --> 00:13:57,500 the employer doesn't have to worry 361 00:13:57,566 --> 00:13:58,766 about those issues anymore. 362 00:13:58,833 --> 00:14:02,066 Whitney M. Young said that it's better to be prepared for 363 00:14:02,133 --> 00:14:04,466 opportunity and not have it than have opportunity and 364 00:14:04,533 --> 00:14:05,433 not be prepared for it. 365 00:14:05,500 --> 00:14:06,833 And that's what we look to do here. 366 00:14:06,900 --> 00:14:09,366 We, we look to prepare individuals for opportunity 367 00:14:09,433 --> 00:14:11,433 at the same time working to create it. 368 00:14:11,500 --> 00:14:14,933 So if some of you wouldn't mind sharing some of what 369 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,000 you've been through. 370 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:21,200 A lot of us grew up rough, attitudes, 371 00:14:21,266 --> 00:14:25,200 anger, I mean frustration, and we always took it out of 372 00:14:25,266 --> 00:14:26,733 violence and stuff like that. 373 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:28,900 I myself still with anger too, 374 00:14:28,966 --> 00:14:35,166 and I just feel as though it's not worth it no more. 375 00:14:35,233 --> 00:14:37,066 - I want [crosstalk] - The anger's not worth it. 376 00:14:37,133 --> 00:14:39,133 I wanna live a better life. 377 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:40,833 I like, I like to feel happy. 378 00:14:40,900 --> 00:14:42,266 I like to help people. 379 00:14:42,333 --> 00:14:44,533 I like to do things that's gonna inspire others. 380 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:46,333 You know? Uh, at first I was only here, 381 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:48,766 just, you know, come in, finish it out, 382 00:14:48,833 --> 00:14:50,000 just do what I have to do. 383 00:14:50,066 --> 00:14:52,366 But, you know, uh, even [crosstalk] So you're just 384 00:14:52,433 --> 00:14:54,066 in it to, to do the time to get the job. 385 00:14:54,133 --> 00:14:55,133 Just to get the job. 386 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:55,966 Yeah. You know? 387 00:14:56,033 --> 00:14:57,466 And now even being in the program, 388 00:14:57,533 --> 00:14:59,366 it, it has opened my eyes a little more, 389 00:14:59,433 --> 00:15:01,633 you know, it's even brought some of the guys that are in 390 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:04,466 the same facility with me closer as a family. 391 00:15:04,533 --> 00:15:05,966 How are your families? 392 00:15:06,033 --> 00:15:09,033 Well, with you being here, My mom would always tell me, 393 00:15:09,100 --> 00:15:10,000 well, since she came outta jail, 394 00:15:10,066 --> 00:15:11,400 you're always gonna be going back. 395 00:15:11,466 --> 00:15:14,333 Because I don't know what made her think like that, 396 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:18,166 but I have been making a lot of changes throughout my life. 397 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:20,200 Yes, sir. 398 00:15:20,266 --> 00:15:22,500 A lot of people will tell you for be to be here, 399 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,633 it gotta be something, you know what what I'm saying? 400 00:15:25,700 --> 00:15:27,233 Because every other program that they have, 401 00:15:27,300 --> 00:15:28,666 they teach you the job skills, 402 00:15:28,733 --> 00:15:29,900 but then they don't give you the job. 403 00:15:29,966 --> 00:15:32,100 You go out here for the job and it's still your 404 00:15:32,166 --> 00:15:33,766 background still coming in front of you. 405 00:15:33,833 --> 00:15:34,966 They, you know, they set you up. 406 00:15:35,033 --> 00:15:36,366 And once your background come back, 407 00:15:36,433 --> 00:15:39,100 it's just like you, you feel like there's no hope. 408 00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,533 At the end of the day, it's not about, 409 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,800 it's not about the past, it's about your future. 410 00:15:46,866 --> 00:15:50,633 That's all about showing instead of telling you get 411 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:51,433 what I'm saying? 412 00:15:51,500 --> 00:15:52,400 So you want to show them. 413 00:15:52,466 --> 00:15:53,566 Yeah. 414 00:15:53,633 --> 00:15:55,966 And right now, like I'm in a position where I don't get 415 00:15:56,033 --> 00:15:59,266 to see my two children, but at the same time I'm trying 416 00:15:59,333 --> 00:16:00,833 to pave the way for them. Yeah. 417 00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:03,233 So when you see your two children, 418 00:16:03,300 --> 00:16:05,800 what, what do you want them to see in you? 419 00:16:06,766 --> 00:16:08,433 Upstanding. 420 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:09,766 Upstanding man. 421 00:16:09,833 --> 00:16:11,566 Everybody on the outside, 422 00:16:11,633 --> 00:16:15,066 um, looks at us a little bit differently, 423 00:16:15,133 --> 00:16:18,633 but when, when we're talking to guests among ourselves 424 00:16:18,700 --> 00:16:20,600 and stuff like that, it's easier for me to relate to 425 00:16:20,666 --> 00:16:22,533 somebody that's been through the situations. 426 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,033 Everybody has a different talent. 427 00:16:24,100 --> 00:16:25,966 Everybody has a different skillset. 428 00:16:26,033 --> 00:16:30,400 Not everybody is the same, but your skillset makes you, you. 429 00:16:30,466 --> 00:16:34,566 Misconceptions could be that all of us are, 430 00:16:34,633 --> 00:16:40,166 uh, dangerous individuals and that's not always the case. 431 00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:50,233 For me, I had, I have 25 years in recovery and I've 432 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:56,333 For me, I had, I have 25 years in recovery and I've 433 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,533 always walked around and I'm telling you I've worked my 434 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,366 way into management positions, 435 00:17:00,433 --> 00:17:03,666 but I've always had that thing on me that if they 436 00:17:03,733 --> 00:17:08,133 really knew who I was or if they found out about where 437 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,433 I come from and my background, you know, 438 00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:15,266 um, just let me just simply say something about me 439 00:17:15,333 --> 00:17:17,733 simply just cries out for failure. 440 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,300 But what I listen to you, I hear strength. 441 00:17:20,366 --> 00:17:22,300 Where, where does that strength come from? 442 00:17:22,366 --> 00:17:26,333 It comes from me knowing that, 443 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,133 that like, I deserve better and I am better. 444 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:32,766 And, and if I did it before, I can do it again. 445 00:17:32,833 --> 00:17:36,500 My 25th year anniversary from drugs and alcohol, 446 00:17:36,566 --> 00:17:43,200 I spent at Alderson Federal Prison Camp feeling like, 447 00:17:43,266 --> 00:17:45,366 oh my God, how did I end up here? 448 00:17:45,433 --> 00:17:49,500 So the strength comes from knowing that if I can 449 00:17:49,566 --> 00:17:54,100 survive, that I can survive this too. 450 00:17:54,166 --> 00:17:57,966 And even me just sharing that about my 25 years is a 451 00:17:58,033 --> 00:18:01,633 step of for openness and full disclosure for me. 452 00:18:01,700 --> 00:18:05,900 How about I'm tired, I am who I am and I'm tired and 453 00:18:05,966 --> 00:18:09,166 I don't wanna have to go back fearing that if they found 454 00:18:09,233 --> 00:18:12,533 out who I really am, this is who I really am. 455 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,766 I am a whole bunch of other things other than being a felon. 456 00:18:16,833 --> 00:18:26,133 [indistinct] 457 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,933 I guess the last thing is, so what, what's next? 458 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,500 Work, work, work, work, work, work. 459 00:18:34,566 --> 00:18:38,533 After class we went to the nearby sanctuary of the 460 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:41,866 church where I spoke about hope and change to folks 461 00:18:41,933 --> 00:18:46,000 across the coalition and the church's pastor. 462 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:48,800 How did the church get involved? 463 00:18:48,866 --> 00:18:54,100 We believe that people can change and if we really 464 00:18:54,166 --> 00:18:55,900 believe in that, people can change. 465 00:18:55,966 --> 00:18:58,100 If you really believe in restorative justice, 466 00:18:58,166 --> 00:19:01,633 then you've gotta put your money and your resources 467 00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:02,866 where your mouth is. 468 00:19:02,933 --> 00:19:05,633 How did you end up in that criminal lifestyle? 469 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:08,866 Uh, so in 2013, I was in a car accident and I was 470 00:19:08,933 --> 00:19:11,200 paralyzed and spent 18 months in a rehabilitation 471 00:19:11,266 --> 00:19:14,200 hospital and got addicted to opiate painkillers. 472 00:19:14,266 --> 00:19:16,466 And then I started selling drugs just to, 473 00:19:16,533 --> 00:19:19,633 um, make money because I wasn't able to work. 474 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:22,333 And I ended up going to prison for, 475 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,800 uh, drug trafficking and did two years. 476 00:19:24,866 --> 00:19:27,466 And that is hopefully my first and last time. 477 00:19:27,533 --> 00:19:31,033 You're a small business person and you also are 478 00:19:31,100 --> 00:19:34,300 involved in hiring people who are coming home. 479 00:19:34,366 --> 00:19:35,533 Absolutely. 480 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:39,200 Does it feel risky in some sense to hire returning citizens? 481 00:19:39,266 --> 00:19:41,533 Everyone has potential. 482 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:44,666 Everyone has something to offer to the world and 483 00:19:44,733 --> 00:19:47,000 pushing those citizens to be better, 484 00:19:47,066 --> 00:19:49,266 you, you don't know what you'll get out of it. 485 00:19:49,333 --> 00:19:52,600 You might get that rose that will open up into full bloom. 486 00:19:52,666 --> 00:19:55,633 So what are you the commissioner of? 487 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:58,000 I am the commissioner of the Philadelphia Department 488 00:19:58,066 --> 00:19:59,166 of Prisons. 489 00:19:59,233 --> 00:20:02,966 So you run the prison and jail system in Philadelphia? 490 00:20:03,033 --> 00:20:04,366 Yeah, that's correct. 491 00:20:04,433 --> 00:20:07,000 You hear that when they say corrections, 492 00:20:07,066 --> 00:20:09,133 that's not what happens. 493 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:14,233 Um, corrections is for a purpose and regardless of if 494 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:17,600 the person is convicted or accused, 495 00:20:17,666 --> 00:20:19,766 it's really meeting the person where they are, 496 00:20:19,833 --> 00:20:22,000 looking at them as a human being, 497 00:20:22,066 --> 00:20:25,700 not as a number and looking at the totality of how they 498 00:20:25,766 --> 00:20:27,866 arrived in a correctional environment. 499 00:20:27,933 --> 00:20:30,866 And once you are incarcerated, 500 00:20:30,933 --> 00:20:32,766 many people lose their families. 501 00:20:32,833 --> 00:20:34,066 They lose their house. 502 00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:35,233 You lose your job. 503 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:37,033 You lose, lose your self worth, 504 00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:41,166 your dignity, your pride, and you need to be able to 505 00:20:41,233 --> 00:20:42,300 build that back up. 506 00:20:42,366 --> 00:20:45,033 And a lot of times doors will shut on you. 507 00:20:45,100 --> 00:20:48,366 And the day you left prison, what was that day like? 508 00:20:48,433 --> 00:20:49,500 Were you happy? Were you scared? 509 00:20:49,566 --> 00:20:51,500 Uh, it was very overwhelming. 510 00:20:51,566 --> 00:20:53,600 Um, it's like a breath of fresh air, 511 00:20:53,666 --> 00:20:56,333 but you've got like, uh, we're in a perfect place to 512 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:57,566 talk about this, this is church, 513 00:20:57,633 --> 00:21:00,800 you know, so you have God and the devil like right in 514 00:21:00,866 --> 00:21:02,800 your face and it's like one saying, go with me. 515 00:21:02,866 --> 00:21:03,933 The other saying, go with me. 516 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:07,533 And it's very overwhelming When folks transition from 517 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:09,033 being incarcerated. 518 00:21:09,100 --> 00:21:12,033 They deserve to live their lives and move forward. 519 00:21:12,100 --> 00:21:14,333 People might think, okay, well, 520 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:18,200 you know, you learn how to operate a a a a cashier station. 521 00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:19,266 Mm-Hmm. 522 00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:21,133 But you say they helped you get to know yourself. 523 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:23,733 'Cause when you changing, so you changing from 524 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,400 one person to another. 525 00:21:25,466 --> 00:21:28,266 And sometimes for a lot of people, 526 00:21:28,333 --> 00:21:30,000 um, change is not good. 527 00:21:30,066 --> 00:21:32,500 And then you don't, you can't adjust the feelings 528 00:21:32,566 --> 00:21:35,700 and different things and they teach you how to cope with that. 529 00:21:35,766 --> 00:21:41,333 And, um, and you learn how to deal with yourself step by step. 530 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:46,433 Most people don't want to be criminals. 531 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:52,133 Most people don't want to live reckless lives. 532 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,200 People do want to get better. 533 00:21:54,266 --> 00:21:55,933 When you know better, you do better. 534 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,000 It gave me an opportunity to relearn myself, 535 00:21:59,066 --> 00:22:03,133 um, how to be Veronica again. 536 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:06,833 Uh, you're focused on Returning Citizens. 537 00:22:06,900 --> 00:22:09,333 Why that group specifically? 538 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,466 Because they're probably the group that's left behind. 539 00:22:12,533 --> 00:22:15,366 I, I am an ex-offender. 540 00:22:15,433 --> 00:22:18,666 I am a criminal, I am, you know, a felon. 541 00:22:18,733 --> 00:22:22,166 I, I am all of those things, but I'm also somebody who is 542 00:22:22,233 --> 00:22:24,933 reliable, dependable, honest, hardworking. 543 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:29,100 And I believe in myself and I believe that other people 544 00:22:29,166 --> 00:22:32,666 believe in me and I don't have to be labeled as that. 545 00:22:32,733 --> 00:22:36,300 People can if given the opportunity can change. 546 00:22:36,366 --> 00:22:39,000 And then now I work for a universal company, 547 00:22:39,066 --> 00:22:40,933 charter schools. I'm a PCA there. 548 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,100 Um, what's a PCA? 549 00:22:42,166 --> 00:22:45,166 PCA is uh, is a climate one-on-one. 550 00:22:45,233 --> 00:22:47,800 I work one-on-one with challenge behavior children. 551 00:22:47,866 --> 00:22:48,900 And I I love it. 552 00:22:48,966 --> 00:22:51,300 What, what's your work now? What do you do now? 553 00:22:51,366 --> 00:22:53,666 Um, I'm a case manager at Prevention Point 554 00:22:53,733 --> 00:22:55,433 working with the opiate crisis. 555 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:58,833 It's a program to prevent people from going to jail. 556 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:00,433 So you're giving back? Yes. 557 00:23:00,500 --> 00:23:03,300 If you, if you have an ability and if you have a 558 00:23:03,366 --> 00:23:07,000 vision of what you can do or be, that's hope. 559 00:23:07,066 --> 00:23:11,533 The number one thing I believe about all of us is 560 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:17,833 people returning help us to acknowledge that we too 561 00:23:17,900 --> 00:23:19,133 are not perfect. 562 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:21,633 We are all human beings. 563 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:26,466 We are all better than the worst things we have done. 564 00:23:26,533 --> 00:23:32,033 And we all are not as perfect as the way we can appear. 565 00:23:32,100 --> 00:23:35,666 So there's good in the worst of us and there's bad in the 566 00:23:35,733 --> 00:23:36,833 best of us. 567 00:23:36,900 --> 00:23:39,600 And it's our common humanity that really, 568 00:23:39,666 --> 00:23:42,900 uh, binds us as one human family. 569 00:23:42,966 --> 00:23:48,900 And I think the more we can get close up to those people 570 00:23:48,966 --> 00:23:52,866 who have been incarcerated, the more we can learn that 571 00:23:52,933 --> 00:23:56,900 they have so many gifts and so much to share with us. 572 00:23:56,966 --> 00:23:59,500 It's not just what we can do for them, 573 00:23:59,566 --> 00:24:03,966 it's what they are also ready and able to do for us. 574 00:24:04,033 --> 00:24:06,600 Sometimes when you hear the statistics, 575 00:24:06,666 --> 00:24:07,733 you get depressed. 576 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,066 They're sad and familiar. 577 00:24:10,133 --> 00:24:15,433 The US has 5% of the world's population and 25% of the 578 00:24:15,500 --> 00:24:16,200 world's prisoners. 579 00:24:16,266 --> 00:24:19,266 It's easy to feel hopeless. 580 00:24:19,333 --> 00:24:23,633 Today, we have heard the stories of women and men who 581 00:24:23,700 --> 00:24:27,933 have up close and personal knowledge of the system and 582 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:29,933 they haven't thrown up their hands. 583 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,400 They've rode up their sleeves. 584 00:24:32,466 --> 00:24:36,533 The people who I have been most inspired by are the 585 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:41,966 brave women and men who have been through some stuff 586 00:24:42,033 --> 00:24:46,900 and are determined to turn their lives around. 587 00:24:46,966 --> 00:24:51,766 Nobody should ever be judged by the worst thing they did. 588 00:24:51,833 --> 00:24:55,566 Not where you start, it's where you end up. 589 00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:40,033 Returning citizens is made possible by 590 00:26:10,033 --> 00:26:14,800 the United Way, fostering the success of those who, 591 00:26:14,866 --> 00:26:17,300 as they return to our neighborhoods, 592 00:26:17,366 --> 00:26:19,933 remain a largely untapped resource, 593 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:22,400 the formerly incarcerated. 594 00:26:22,466 --> 00:26:26,766 Waterman II Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation at 595 00:26:26,833 --> 00:26:28,900 the recommendation of David Haas, 596 00:26:28,966 --> 00:26:31,733 the Independence Foundation.