Beyond Us & Them

An expungement event?is taking place tomorrow at?Nickerson Gardens in Watts?and you are invited to participate: Live Scan Event (Free Fingerprinting) – Saturday, March 8, 2025 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Nickerson Gardens Individuals interested in expungement services must first complete a?free Live Scan. The second part of the process will take place on?March 29th, where legal professionals will assist with the record expungement process. Please register!

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Beyond Us & Them is hosting a public in-person council training workshop March 22-23 in Highland Park. If you're looking to brush up on the four intentions, or facilitate your own council circles, please join us! Lunch, coffee and snacks are included. This experiential weekend workshop is shaping up to include fresh and vibrant educators, healers and students... but we still have a few seats left. Go to https://lnkd.in/gui3SXAZ for more ??

Excited to have had the opportunity to spotlight "Reentry Rooted in Dignity" for our friends at the Oakwood School at their annual IDEAS SUMMIT!! Our presentation featured our Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative through video clips and testimonials from staff members James DeBacco, MSW, Gonzalo Alvarado, Sydney Scanlon and Jared Seide. James spoke of first encountering our work as a Lifer incarcerated at Ironwood State Prison. He described the first workshops he attended with Jared 12 years ago and his growing understanding that "council is all about developing skill sets to express kindness and humility to other people, as well as develop self-esteem and regain self-dignity." After spending 30 years in prison, James received parole and was hired by Beyond Us & Them to run our council-focused reentry program. While on the job, he has completed a Masters Degree in Social Work at University of Southern California! Gonzalo, Jared and Sydney joined James on the panel for this powerful presentation to a school community with a deep, longstanding commitment to social justice. It was a full circle moment to be introduced by the high school principal, William Perkins Tift, who had played an important role in the early days of Beyond Us & Them. It's a great joy to bring our inspiring work to the next generation of Angelenos and to share stories of the powerful impact it's having on our neighbors throughout the city.

Join us in supporting this transformative community, full of individuals committed to growth, overcoming adversity, and becoming the best version of themselves. It's never too late! #growth #community #inspiration #incarceration #reentry #losangeles

From the streets of South Central LA to CA’s first Latina Surgeon General. Hear the story of Dr. Diana Ramos and why she says she's not so different from the folks in our reentry community. Office of the California Surgeon General | California Department of Public Health

On this day of love, join us in celebrating council's four intentions: -speak from the heart -listen non-judgmentally -be lean in speech -be spontaneous by not overthinking We'd love for you to join us in this compassion-building and heart-centered work during a council training workshop ?? our next one takes place March 22-23. Go to https://lnkd.in/gui3SXAZ for more. #valentinesday #valentine #love #mattersoftheheart #heart

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A study examining the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) has demonstrated how reentry programs that help build community connections (along with other resources) lead to a decrease in recidivism rate of 8% for those who stayed in the program for at least 7 months and 13% for those who stayed in the program for at least 9 months. Increasing social connection and providing adequate community support have a positive impact on recidivism rates and general wellbeing. Financial struggles, social pressures, the stigma of incarceration, repair of damaged family dynamics relationships and other relationship issues are among the most prevalent issues facing those who are on the journey of reentry. Adequate social connections are crucial resources in addressing the multifaceted challenges and support of community reduces the feeling of isolation. Building connection post-release is crucial to reducing recidivism. That's where the LA Reentry Collaborative excels. Our community includes hundreds of reentry-focused organizations and individuals working together to decrease recidivism rates. There's a huge need for support of these individuals and services. If you're interested in learning more, and attending an event, go to lareentrycollaborative.org. #lareentry #reentry #recidivism #recidivismreduction #losangeles #socialconnection

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the Los Angeles fires. It feels as though we all know someone personally affected by the devastation, and our hearts are heavy as we share in the suffering of so many Angelenos. Our beloved workshop site, located in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, was miraculously saved from the fire that engulfed nearby Palisades High School and surrounding businesses. While we're incredibly grateful to learn of this development, there's no word on when Temescal Gateway Park is set to reopen. For this reason, we have had to reschedule our upcoming council training workshop to March 22-23 at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. If you've taken one of our workshops, you know the importance of the setting. We take pride in offering council trainings in beautiful locations known for nature and respite. The Audubon Center is another stunning and tranquil oasis in the heart of LA. And we hope to resume our workshops at Temescal Gateway Park as soon as it is safe! If you're interested in joining us for council training in March, go to https://lnkd.in/gui3SXAZ ??