Dear John, 

When we founded ARC in 2013, there were only a few organizations led by formerly incarcerated people and who were majority staffed by formerly incarcerated people. We are gratified that the number has grown and that more people recognize what we know to be true: those closest to the issues, are the ones closest to the solutions. This is ARC’s theory of change, and we are proud that, with you in our corner, we have proved it to be true.

DONATE TODAY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED LEADERS

Thank you for championing our work, for believing in second chances, and for your deep commitment to supporting formerly incarcerated people. We hope you will continue to support our work this year and in the years to come. Below are the ten accomplishments I am most proud of—one for every year we have been in existence. Thank you for allowing us to have this impact. 

1. 2013: Collaborated to pass SB 260, granting eligibility for a youth offender parole board hearing to individuals tried as adults for offenses committed under age 18.
    
2. 2014: Pioneered a groundbreaking TEDx talk held at Ironwood State Prison, the first of its kind.
    
3. 2015: Contributed to passing SB 261, broadening age eligibility for youth offender parole board hearings under SB 260 to those under 23 years old.
    
4. 2016: Launched the inaugural cohort of our Second Chance Pre-Apprenticeship Bootcamp, creating pathways to union jobs for the formerly incarcerated. 
    
5. 2017: Created the Hope & Redemption Team (HART), which started with 7 ARC Life Coaches who served life sentences going back inside to provide parole board preparation, rehabilitative programming, and reentry support to those still in confinement. and as of 2022, we have successfully expanded HART to 28 Life Coaches who travel throughout all California correctional facilities.

6. 2018: Unveiled the Ventura Training Center, offering the groundbreaking opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals to train as firefighters.
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7. 2019: Inaugurated ARC’s Women Department, addressing the unique needs of currently and formerly incarcerated women, an often-overlooked demographic.
    
8. 2020: Contributed to the passage of ACA 6/Prop 17, a revolutionary legislative triumph restoring the voting rights for people on parole, amplifying the voices of people of color across California.
    
9. 2021: Introduced Women’s Housing at our Lorena transitional housing site, uplifting women to rebuild, reintegrate into society, and forge community bonds at ARC’s housing site.
    

10. 2022: Implemented our Credible Messenger Mentor program, which started with two full-time staff and has now, in 2023, expanded to 10 full-time staff being hired to go into Los Angeles Juvenile facilities.

With your invaluable partnership, we've transformed countless lives and reshaped the landscape of justice. I’m eager to keep partnering with you to build a future where second chances flourish and mass incarceration becomes a thing of the past. Your contribution to ARC this year-end will propel us closer to our shared vision of a fairer, more just world. Together, let's continue this incredible journey of hope, empowerment, and transformation. Thank you for standing tall with ARC and considering a gift as 2023 comes to a close – your dedication to our community is our driving force. 

Sincerely,

Sam Lewis

Executive Director
Anti-Recidivism Coalition