Congratulations to the Eight Young People Who Graduated from the Victim Offender Education Group at Camp Sweeney!
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"I am starting to see there is more out there then just revenge, resentment and anger." Camp Sweeney graduate
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Please join us in congratulating the eight young people who graduated from the Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG) at Camp Sweeney in July!
The VOEG program assists participants in unearthing and exploring root causes of harm they have committed and understanding the impact of that harm on victims and the community. VOEG is based on the principles of restorative justice and trauma healing; it takes the form of a curriculum that includes a set of exercises that comes alive during a group process. VOEG was created by Rochelle Edwards and a group of dedicated San Quentin prisoners in 2004. Since that time, IPP has replicated the VOEG program in 12 other prisons and three county jails in California.
Thanks to the work of Jaimee Karroll, the most recent VOEG program is now being offered in Alameda County, San Francisco and Contra Costa county jails.
This January eight young people incarcerated in Camp Sweeney participated in a 22-week VOEG program which was facilitated by IPP Staff member, Sonya Shah and IPP volunteer facilitator, Aouie Rubio. All of the youth successfully completed the program. Upon release, the youth are then being offered an opportunity to participate in a COSA (a Circle of Support and Accountability) organized by staff members of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth. A COSA involves a small group of mentors who meet regularly with a young person upon release and offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to facilitate his/her transition back into school, community and family.
One of the highlights of the program included visits from three survivors of crime who told their stories to the youth, and were met with thoughtful questions and comments. Expressions of empathy and introspection into their own lives textured the dialog. The second highlight was a trip to see the film "Unlikely Friends": a documentary about victims of crime who through their own life journey, and forgiveness, become friends with the people who committed harm against them. After the film, one participant stated, "I am starting to see there is more out there then just revenge, resentment and anger."
In July, IPP hosted a graduation celebration in which the Camp Sweeney youth expressed their gratitude and talked about the lessons they had learned to the facilitators and members of the community. One youth said, "I really learned something here. I had a light bulb moment when the survivors came in. And you guys really care. VOEG is not just another program." IPP plans to offer a second round of VOEG programming at Camp Sweeney this Fall.
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Second "Unlikely Friends" Screening on September, 19, 2013 in San Francisco
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 Total strangers. Brutal crimes.
A documentary about forgiveness. By Chance Films and the award winning director of 'Juvies', Leslie Neale "Unlikely Friends" documents victims of brutal crimes who, through forgiveness, unexpectedly befriend their perpetrators, and explores new possibilities for transforming our current prison system. "Unlikely Friends" includes a rare and unique look into Insight Prison Projects Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG) surrogate dialogue panel held inside San Quentin State Prison. When: September 19, 2013 Where: The Victoria, 2961 16th Street, San Francisco, CA Cost: $25 per ticketClick here for more information and to purchase tickets. |
Attend IPP's 4th Annual Fall Fundraising Dinner
"Beyond the Bars"
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Thursday, November 14th 2013
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Cocktails, dinner and presentations
The Golden Gate Club, Presidio of San Francisco
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 | | Keynote speaker Susan Burton |
For over fifteen years, IPP has provided programs that foster insight and lasting behavioral change for prisoners in the California correctional system. IPP's programs are conducted by community volunteers and crime survivors. They create a rare and effective response to our statewide prison crisis and to the needs of prisoners, parolees, crime survivors and community members. This fall we are hosting our 4th Annual Fall Fundraiser, "Beyond the Bars," to celebrate our efforts and to bring together a diverse group of allies and donors who understand that, with personal commitment, understanding, collaboration and the right tools, prisoners can leave our broken system without being broken themselves
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Ways You Can Be A Part of "Beyond the Bars"
- Event Sponsorship: Support IPP's programs by sponsoring the dinner.
- Host a Table: Every year, table captains agree to write or raise $2,500 to support IPP's programs by inviting their family, friends, and coworkers to become supporters of our work.
- RSVP to Attend: We have a limited number of individual tickets for $250 to attend the dinner. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP soon.
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Donate to the Raffle: What can you do? Donate services, handmade jewelry, a weekend away in wine country, a day of sailing on the bay, personal training lessons, a case of wine, private cooking lessons......we welcome your creativity!
For information about these opportunities, please contact:
Jennifer Thompson Pellettieri
IPP Operations Manager / Assistant Fundraising Director
[email protected]
(415) 459-9800
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Support IPP Today!
Help IPP transform the lives of those impacted by incarceration today.
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 or send a check to: Insight Prison Project PO Box 151642 San Rafael, CA 94915
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On behalf of the men, women and youth we serve, and the communities that are positively effected as a result, we thank you.
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