John,

The latest intel from Washington D.C. is that Congressional leadership in both parties are ignoring the urgent needs of people impacted by the criminal justice system as they plan the next COVID-19 response bill. That's unacceptable, and we need to do all we can to change it. 

Family and friends of people who are currently incarcerated are in a state of constant fear. They're scared of contracting the virus and losing their livelihood. They're worried sick about loved ones confined in unsanitary and unsafe conditions in prisons and jails.

COVID-19 has revealed just how broken our nation's criminal justice system really is. Human beings — disproportionately from Black, Brown and low-income communities — who made one mistake now effectively face a death sentence from a virus. Those who have already served their time struggle to access reentry support. Even successful entrepreneurs are locked out of access to capital and the small business loans needed to keep themselves and their employees afloat through the pandemic.

Send a message to key congressional leaders: People currently and formerly incarcerated need urgent help.

Every member of Congress needs to hear from us. But these negotiations ultimately rest in the hands of a few key congressional leaders, so no matter what state you live in, your voice is urgently needed. The fact of the matter is that essential help is missing, and fighting to include it doesn't appear to be a leadership priority.

First of all, this next COVID-19 bill must include support for safe releases of at-risk people. Congress must make sure the countless elderly, immuno-compromised, and high-risk individuals in our nation's prisons are released safely from custody. Solutions exist, whether through federal funding to incentivize releases from prisons and jails as well as compassionate release, sentence reductions, community supervision, and home confinement for those in federal prisons. 

Second, we must make sure people with criminal histories are not barred from receiving income or capital. Currently, people with criminal histories face a series of barriers to accessing Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans and other emergency COVID-19 relief. We can't lock people out of a better future solely because of their past decisions — it hurts our economy and our communities.

Third, we need to dramatically expand testing and treatment for people who remain incarcerated during the pandemic as well as support for people coming home. The pandemic is smashing state budgets. That hurts their ability to take life-saving preventative measures. All that could change if Congress includes sufficient state aid in the next COVID-19 stimulus. We must also ensure robust reentry resources — from housing to employment services and a temporary moratorium on criminal justice-related fines and fees.

Together, we are mobilizing state and local partners, uniting influencer and media partners, and communicating directly with congressional leaders. Can you help by sending a letter now?

Send a message to key congressional leaders: People currently and formerly incarcerated need urgent help.

On top of the crisis in our criminal justice system, people everywhere are worried about how they'll get to work with transit cuts and fearful of getting sick if they do use the bus or train. Millions are struggling in a suddenly virtual-first economy without adequate access to devices or high-speed internet. Dream Corps was built for this moment — we tackle big, intertwined problems that imperil at-risk communities with common ground and real solutions. 

But it is what we do together that is most important. If America is going to emerge from this pandemic better than we were before, it will take all of us offering our voices and unique talents — and building something new.

Thank you for standing with us,
— the Dream Corps team