Dear FAMMily,

Happy Fourth of July! Whenever this holiday rolls around, we can’t help but reflect on how lucky we are here at FAMM to have a front-row seat to what freedom, because of second chances, looks like for families. This holiday, newly reunited families are firing up the grill, watching fireworks, and digging into potato salad.

Brian Rowe is one of these people, granted clemency last winter after serving 11 years of a 30-year sentence. In those 11 years, he pushed himself to think beyond the bars to what his life could be, even as limited as it was. “I sent out over 6,500 letters when I was in there, asking for books and workbooks to help me rehabilitate,” Brian says. “When I left, I donated my books to the library for the other guys because I saw they didn't have the support that I had.”

Now Brian works for Global Digital Needs Advocacy, an Amazon partner. His life is full: in work that he loves, expressing himself as a gifted artist and poet, and with his family. This holiday, he’ll be relaxing with his wife and 8-year-old daughter.

Part of his freedom, Brian insists, is helping the people he left behind. He is driven to push for reform for the system that he knows firsthand badly needs it. “I love to use my art to help other people heal and share their own personal experiences,” he says. “It’s a great way to show how much change is needed.”

This holiday, join FAMM in celebrating Brian’s freedom and the others who received second chances – and help us keep fighting for reform.

Happy Fourth of July!

The FAMM Staff