Our advocacy mission centers the experiences and leadership of directly impacted communities to transform narratives and cultures of violence and retribution, expand access to mental health and healing, and support policies and movements for decarceration and abolition.

HOW WE APPROACH ADVOCACY

MENTAL HEALTH & HEALING

We recognize that access to effective mental health and wellness support can disrupt intergenerational cycles of violence and trauma. We advocate for directly impacted individuals and families to have uncomplicated access to culturally competent and trauma-informed mental health care from trained practitioners, to include peer support specialists. We advocate for local, state and national mental health networks to recognize and provide for the distinct needs and care of these intentionally neglected populations.

We also provide training for mental health practitioners to better understand the unique needs of those who have been impacted by state violence, especially the death penalty and incarceration. We aim to work with community-based organizations and mental health providers in Texas and across the US to provide affordable, quality mental health care.

DISRUPTING STATE VIOLENCE

We listen to our communities to learn what our role should be and what actions we need to take in broader transformative justice efforts. We understand that state violence takes many forms and work to disrupt that violence through coalition- and community-building.

We reveal the impacts of state violence that may not be widely recognized or known by the public. We aim to contribute to the closure of jails, detention centers, and prisons and work to stop the construction of any new sites of confinement. For us, coalition- and community-building looks like organizing, supporting, and working together to share narratives to challenge people in power and inspire policy change. We also believe building power with directly impacted communities means advocating for and connecting people to resources for basic needs such as food, housing, education, health care and employment. We recognize the essential role of personal narrative in advocacy and take direct action as our community guides us. We invite the public to explore their own connections, expectations, beliefs and assumptions about state violence and retributive ideas of justice.