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John,
Our clients are some of the most resilient and inspiring people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Not only have they faced many uphill battles while navigating the criminal legal system, but the challenges don’t stop once they are freed or exonerated. Adjusting to society after decades of being behind bars for a crime you didn’t commit isn’t easy — people face financial stress, PTSD, difficulty finding housing and employment, and social stigma.
That’s why a key part of the work we do at the Innocence Project is supporting exonerees the moment they are released from incarceration. And the team I’m a part of, the social work team, plays a crucial role in helping clients rebuild their lives once they’re freed.
I think it’s important for everyone in this community to know that when they support the Innocence Project, they aren’t only helping to free innocent people, they’re also ensuring that newly released people have access to health care, housing, and safety — and none of that is possible without you.
I’m reaching out to you today to ask you to continue your support by making a donation right now. Your donation will help exonerees get the care and support they need after spending years wrongfully incarcerated.
Every day, the social work team not only provides concrete resources for our clients, but emotional support too.
Recently, one of our clients was found to have a mass in his lungs which his doctors eventually diagnosed as cancer. Our client felt incredibly overwhelmed both by the deeply distressing diagnosis and by the logistics of all the doctor's appointments, and our social work team quickly stepped in to support him as he made vital decisions about his health and well being.
We checked in with him everyday. We talked through his emotions, and we identified how best to meet his needs and those of his family. We helped ensure he always had safe and efficient transportation for the many appointments scheduled by his doctors. We were able to offer some stability during a tumultuous time that helped him focus on getting better.
His story is unique and yet he is not alone. Every day, we work with clients to support them through difficult moments and ensure they have what they need to thrive.
Your donation will not only go toward efforts to free innocent people, but also help those people get the support they need after years of being wrongfully incarcerated. So please, consider making a donation today.
Thank you so much for your support,
Ummer Ali
Social Worker
Innocence Project |
