Reflections on the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program Learning Community

Cleo on a site visit with JREP Learning Community participant Love is Stronger GV.

Written by Cleo Tung, Program Officer

As a new mom, it’s not uncommon for someone to find me in the office or at a community event with my daughter in tow, snuggled up in a carrier or happily perched on my hip. It’s also not uncommon for folks to hear me call the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP) “my other baby” as I’ve been working with our team to implement the new program. JREP is an important opportunity to resource the communities most harmed by violence and mass incarceration, and it’s a joy and privilege to help move this work forward.  

Over the past few months, NWHF has been convening a cohort of culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive direct service providers to help shape our plans for JREP. Also known as the Learning Community, this cohort has offered meaningful insight into the challenges and opportunities providers face as they work to promote safety and healing in their communities. 

Cleo on a site visit with JREP Learning Community participant Red is the Road to Wellness.

From Astoria to Warm Springs to Chiloquin, representatives from across Oregon have met in person with our team and gathered virtually to engage in shared learning and offer their input on JREP.

Here are just some of the highlights from our site visits and convenings:

• Grounding JREP in the movement to end mass incarceration – JREP is more than just a grants program. For the Transforming Justice Coalition, which was the driving force behind JREP, the program is also part of a broader movement to end mass incarceration and build more effective alternatives. We got to hear from Transforming Justice Coalition members during our first virtual convening about their hopes for JREP and how it fits into their new vision for community safety. It was especially exciting to hear our speakers connect JREP to the Breathe Act, which is a federal bill offering a “radical reimagining of public safety, community care, and how we spend money as a society.”

• Healing and success look different for different communities – During our most recent virtual gathering, Learning Community members were asked to break out into groups to talk about what healing looks like for their communities and how they measure success. As participants were sharing back with the full group, it was clear that healing and success carry different meanings for different communities. I heard some groups talk about reducing recidivism, improving graduation rates, and economic empowerment as indicators of success. For others, it was about people experiencing a greater sense of hope and safety and feeling more connected with their families and support networks. Amidst the differences, a common thread was the call to center impacted communities in defining what healing and success mean to them.

• Capacity Building – In addition to grant funding, our intention for JREP is to provide coaching and technical assistance to organizations that are interested in building their internal capacity. NWHF is partnering with the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership to provide this type of support, and over the past few months we’ve met with Learning Community members in person to gain a clearer sense of what might be most helpful to future JREP grantees. Some members expressed the need for more support around fundraising and data collection while others talked about board development, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of self-care to avoid burnout. I’m grateful for the time Learning Community members spent with our team sharing their hopes, struggles, and aspirations for capacity building and am eager to incorporate their feedback into our plans.

It's an honor to be learning alongside our Learning Community members!