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DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Fall Issue 105 Dc Project connect We foster healing Ms Lorna Kirlew left DaVita sponsor receives 2017 DCPC Golden Fork Award presented by DCPC Dr Hart Johnson right Celebrating the DCPC Distinguished Community Service Sponsor Award Presented by Dr HartJohnson left to Mr Moise Xavier Market Leader on behalf of Craig Pascal BB T Bank sponsor 2017 Mentors and Fairview Participants at the Fraser Mansion DCPC newsletter SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF THE INCARCERATED THROUGH EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES The graduation ceremony honored the important relationships that were forged between our mentors and the Fairview residents We also paid homage to the Fairview staff our sponsors and network of volunteers and friends who afford success to DC Project Connect programs and operations Mr John Standard middle Wife Sylvia left Receive DCPC Distinguished Community Service Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson right Fraser Mansion DCPC Mentor Program Graduation DC Project Connect 2017 Empowering Lives Mentorship Program Graduation Gala On September 19 2017 DC Project Connect celebrated its mentors and Fairview graduates at the Fraser Mansion Washington DC Twelve 12 Fairview women and seven 7 mentors participated in this year s Empowering Lives Mentorship program A key difference in this year s program was the inclusion of pre trial candidates In the past the program only allowed women returning from federal detention An important component of the Empowering Lives Mentorship Program involves the collection of data to assess what was done right as well as areas that can should be augmented Our evaluation process includes written surveys journals verbal feedback and independent observations Matters of interest include mentor orientation training sessions listening and problemsolving techniques goal setting strategies person centered and strength based techniques and other dynamics that were employed during the program A final report will capture this information and be used to improve operations and maximize future mentors and Fairview resident relationships The Empowering Lives Mentor program would not be possible without 1 the dedicated and inspired efforts of our mentors 2 oversight and support of the Fairview case workers and leadership and 3 financial contributions of our sponsors BB T bank and DaVita We also are thankful for the gifts provided by Goodie Girl Bags and the tireless support of our volunteers friends executive staff and Board of Directors WWW DCPROJECTCONNECT COM Finally DCPC would not be able to assist families and returned citizens without partnerships and support from the Washington DC community As such we give special thanks to John Stanard Ms Thalia Ghiglia and the DC National Office of Scientology team for letting us use their facility for the mentor mentee graduation ceremony Coffee Talk Group Support Mentoring Fairview Women Bond during Coffee Talk Tea Time Group Mentoring Sessions Dr Hart Johnson has previously provided computer literacy and life skill training to the women at the Fairview However this past year 2017 she employed a new approach to uplift instill confidence and

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 introduce life skills to residents As such once a week DCPC provides coffee tea and light snacks for the session facilitated by Dr Hart Johnson The room where food is served becomes a meeting place not just for dining but a safe place for the women to discuss matters of the heart A circle is formed by the participants and the residents are referred by the title practitioner along with their surnames Dr Hart Johnson says we use the name practitioners because they are subject matter experts of their own lives This year more than 70 women have participated in Coffee Talk and Tea time As an offshoot DCPC has assisted with preparing job applications resume development mock interviews and other facets of job placement As a result of these small efforts residents have found jobs others have reunited with their families However by many metrics the success and popularity of this group mentoring program has been noteworthy Job well done Dr Hart Johnson 2017 International Prison Family Conference audience K Washington middle Carolyn Esparaza seated right Chair of IPFC Workshop Presentation Inter National Prisoner s Family Conference Dallas Texas In early May Dr Hart Johnson provided a key note speech for the International Prisoner s Family Conference She and her co presenters from the Advocacy in Action Coalition discussed The Mass Incarceration Continuum A Human Rights Issue of the 21st Century see http cjusticefam blogspot com 2015 10 the mass incarceration continuumhuman html Implicit in her message are the provision of tools to bolster marginalized and those who do not have a voice to advocate for themselves or their incarcerated family members Knowledge empowerment and advocacy are tools offered to counter balance the efforts of entities who seek to profit from incarceration This conference is a forum for a broad range of advocacy affecting prisoners their families AIAC believes that reforms are needed in our prisons and criminal justice system The AIAC team is chaired by Dr Hart Johnson and comprises a group of 150 members who work tirelessly all year on ameliorating macrolevel issues associated with mass incarceration We thank Ms Carolyn Esparaza for her ongoing leadership as the IPFC chairperson and enabling DCPC to play a role in this important work Dr Hart Johnson also conducted a workshop entitled From Victim to Advocate Pathways to Empowerment This forum examined ways to prevent the stigma and shame associated with incarceration from hurting individuals or families She challenged all in attendance to be a force against over utilized and ineffective institutional policies and practices via the mass incarceration continuum Dr Vernelle Brown at Fraser Mansion 2017 Mentor Program Gala Dr Brown Provides Life Coaching At the Fairview RRC On most Sundays and at various times during the week Dr Vernelle Brown Board Advisor meets with residents at the Fairview to administer spiritual and practical guidance In a nondenominational manner Dr Vernelle Brown assists residents with day to day problem solving techniques She also provided information on nontraditional jobs for the Fairview women to consider Most recently Dr Brown contributed employment information specific to the area of traffic control and flagging Thanks for your ongoing support of the women at the Fairview 2 DC Project Connect s Research on Prison Visitation Policies Practices in the United Kingdom will be Published in an Academic Textbook During the Fall of 2016 two DC Project Connect s executive officers conducted exploratory research on prison visitation policies and practices in the United Kingdom The data captured during this qualitative inquiry provided a wide cadre of rich information on familyfriendly prison visitation a practice that is rarely used in the U S The first article entitled A Transformative Movement Using the Mass Incarceration Continuum to Influence Social Change authored by Dr Hart Johnson will be featured as a chapter of a book entitled Invisible Children This text will be published by Cambridge University Press Within the same publication Dr Avon Hart Johnson DC Project Connect Mr Geoffrey Johnson DC Project Connect and Dr Monique Tate Coosa Nation of North America co authored another chapter entitled Prison Staff Who Shape Child and Family Visits United Kingdom Multiple Case Study This qualitative study provides insights specific to the roles that prison visit staff and family advocacy groups play with regard to the family visiting experience Our findings revealed that there are several types of interventions used by prison and advocacy staff that contribute to maintaining familial bonds The aforementioned two chapters are the first of several planned articles that will be developed and submitted for academic journal publication Along similar lines Dr Hart Johnson principle investigator Dr Barbara Benoliel principle investigator and Mr Geoffrey Johnson independent researcher will soon release a research article on the associated UK based multicase study that will focus on how carceral spaces are used for visitation In the U S these visiting areas are often intimidating intrusive and stressful

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 Tour of the Hope Village Residential Reentry Center With ReThink Justice Task Force On August 3 2017 DC Project Connect toured the Hope Village Residential Reentry Center with members of a community advocacy group This tour was coordinated by the Half way House Committee of the Re Think Justice DC Coalition of which DCPC is a member The Hope Village RRC is located in S E Washington D C It houses men assigned from the D C Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons BOP Hope Village is reportedly the largest halfway house in the U S 21 Century Fox Movie Screening Special Screening of Hidden Figures for Women at the Fairview In March 2017 DC Project Connect entered a contest with the goal of taking the Fairview residents to an area theater to see the movie Hidden Figures The following month Dr Hart Johnson received notification that our application was not selected for a screening however 21st Century Fox replied back in a letter stating we are impressed with your application and would like to offer you a free digital download of Hidden Figures Subsequently DC Project Connect coordinated with a local church Trinity Baptist Church and on May 18 2017 DCPC extended an open invitation for all the Fairview residents to come see this historic film Popcorn water and soft drinks were added to make the occasion as movie like as possible The Fairview case workers and leadership also attended this event Special thanks to 21st Century Fox for providing a digital copy of the film and the pastor and congregation of Trinity Baptist Church for allowing us to use their comfortable ground level facility This inspirational movie was enjoyed by all attendees The tour included a meeting with the Director his staff and several local residents The staff shared their individual backgrounds and current duties at Hope Village Many of these individuals had years of affiliation with Hope Village or the BOP The tour also included a review of quarterly inspections and selfassessments reports We were not allowed to make copies of these or other documents The Hope Village facility meeting and training areas and resident living areas appeared to be clean and orderly Management extended an invitation for us individually or collectively to attend their annual community relations meeting this winter 2017 Key Note Presentation Inaugural Conference International Coalition for Children of Incarcerated Parents New Zealand Dr Hart Johnson provided a key note speech for the inaugural conference of the International Coalition for the Children of Incarcerated Parents INCCIP in Rotorua New Zealand The conference and symposium featured presentations and research papers from around the world Numerous academic institutions and advocacy groups gathered and exchanged ideas during the conference March 20 23 2017 3 Dr Hart Johnson representing both DC Project Connect and Advocacy in Action Coalition spoke on international initiatives to end mass incarceration Her participation effectively extends DC Project Connect s mission and scope beyond the Washington D C metropolitan area to the world stage As such our Nation s predicament with the mass warehousing of people in prison and the adverse effects of broken homes and inter generational incarceration are now part of a global platform to uplift children and humanize our social policies and practices Thanks to Dr Liz Gordon and Francis Ssuubi for their incredible leadership of the INCCIP DC Project Connect has Published Literature Designed to Aid the Sensitive Topic of Parental Incarceration with Children DC Project Connect published Jamie s Big Visit 2016 which Dr Hart Johnson developed to enhance the discussion on parental incarceration This is a wonderfully illustrated children s book DCPC seeks funding to publish the book in quantities large enough to disseminate freely throughout the Washington D C area Through this book children and their non incarcerated caregiver can read about the chronicled journey of Jamie the bear whose dad went to prison This book is designed to reach an audience of children under 8 years old According to a recent Rutgers University study almost half of children with incarcerated parents are under 10 years old Call to action DC Project seeks funding to distribute this book to children and parents at no cost To contribute to the campaign to fund this project visit www dcprojectconnect org and click the donate button Please support our efforts D C Project Connect Promotes Jamie s Big Visit at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation followed by an appearance on Radio and Television

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 The Black Congressional Caucus Foundation CBC Exhibit Hall provided a forum for Dr Hart Johnson to showcase Jamie s Big Visit 2016 Dr Hart Johnson on the panel discussing the importance of acknowledging children s anxieties when a parent goes to prison DC Convention Center Sept 2017 During the CBC 47th Annual Legislative Conference Washington D C September 20 24 2017 Dr Hart Johnson performed book reading and signed copies of Jamie s Big Visit for those who purchased the book The feedback that she received was nothing less than astonishing DCPC Books on Display at Congressional Black Caucus Author s Pavilion The following week on September 27 2017 Dr Hart Johnson was featured on the World Power Gospel radio and television networks This event was facilitated by Dr Anthony Mays Additionally Dr Vernelle Brown Board Advisor and Geoffrey Johnson Vice President were attendants to this event Dr Hart Johnson on camera Dr Mays center Geoff Johnson right During the radio T V interview Dr Mays asked Dr Hart Johnson a series of questions about Jamie s Big Visit In response Dr Hart Johnson discussed the background and the development of the book as well as the social implications of Jamie s the main character journey She imparted informative commentary about how this children s book can be used as a tool for the non incarcerated parent and other caregivers to discuss the difficult and sensitive topic of a parent s incarceration grownup timeout She indicated that this work is important given the prevalence of seeming invisibility of these little ones She continued Children are often forgotten yet affected when a parent is involuntarily separated from a household Too often these children are not told where the absent parent is and consequently their little imaginations take over Dr Hart Johnson advised that these children are at risk for academic and possibly disciplinary problems They may challenge figures of authority perform poorly in school while also being in danger of intergenerational incarceration Meanwhile our country continues to over incarcerate men and women of color in Washington DC and throughout this nation Over half of these individuals are parents The radio broadcast aired in real time while the television show aired one hour later Dr Mays also fielded feedback and questions from the live audience nationwide Dr Mays advised his audience to invest in Jamie s Big Visit noting that most affected families do not have the tools to properly enter into a healthy discussion with children about parental incarceration He also invited our organization back for a follow up discussion about this epidemic phenomenon which is seldom addressed by the mainstream media and only emerging literature in academic research Assistance to Families with an Incarcerated Loved One DC Project Connect provides ongoing assistance to family members who have an incarcerated loved one DCPC receives inquiries via word of mouth and through our information hotline and website Dr Hart Johnson provides individual and group training to members of the D C community who need support because a family member s arrest and or incarceration Mr Johnson has provided information about criminal justice system 4 processes and matters that are unique to D C code offenders felons DCPC Key Note Presentations Domestically Abroad As noted in 2017 Dr Hart Johnson representing DC Project Connect and her post doctorate research was a key note speaker at two conferences She also provided subject matter expertise at another forum The following topics were addressed A Transformative Movement Using the Mass Incarceration Continuum to Influence Social Change Presented at International Coalition of Children with Incarcerated Parents Rotorua New Zealand March 2017 From Victim to Advocate Pathways to Empowerment International Prisoner Family Conference Dallas Texas May 2017 A Child s Right to Visitation with an Incarcerated Parent Global Wellbeing Conference Millersville University Lancaster Pennsylvania June 2017 DC Project Connect Welcomes Two New Board Members DC Project Connect welcomes two new powerful and dynamic Advisory Board members into its ranks Ms Casandra Allen Human Resource Specialist and Ms LaVetta Benemon Marketing Specialist were nominated and approved by our executive staff Their addition to the Board will provide new ideas inspiration and expertise to our organization A Wine Cheese event will be held in December 2017 for an official meet and greet for our executive staff board of directors friends and volunteers Mrs Casandra Allen DCPC Board Secretary Ms LaVettaa Benemon DCPC Board Member

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 5 DC Project Connect Family Guide How to Survive a Loved Ones Incarceration DC Project Connect Fund Raising Initiative DC Project Connect awaits publication of its family guide How to Survive a Loved Ones Incarceration The guide has been augmented to better relate to our constituents The guide is family friendly and can empower families with basic need to know or at least need toconsider information concerning a loved one s incarceration In addition the guide will no longer cater to a single geographic area but instead will have applicability for families throughout the country The guide will target three primary components Section 1 discusses dynamics which affect a spouse and or head of household including the trauma associated with a family member s incarceration The guide also addresses financial matters that typically arise when a breadwinner is imprisoned Section 2 focuses on the needs of a child when a parent is arrested and involuntarily separation from the household This section addresses a child s challenges in the home and in their schools and communities The guide also discusses the dynamics of child visitation to a prison Section 3 provides context on the incarcerated parent including maintaining communication The guide provides information on reentry planning DC Project Connect marketed a TShirt Campaign to raise funding for the Mentor Mentee graduation gala The I Am Strong focused and grounded T shirts helped generate money to pay for the Fairview residents transportation and food for all attendees These beautiful Tshirts can still be purchased via our website www dcprojectconnect com A Special Thank you from DCPC s President Dr Avon Hart Johnson to Everyone on the Board of Directors who came out and Celebrated our 2017 Mentor Program at the Fraser Mansion Special thanks for Mr John Stanard for hosting this event Thank you Mr Geoffrey Johnson for all that you do to keep us operating successfully Special Thanks to Ms Rose Watkins Mistress of Ceremony Mr Charles Hart for Ushering Ms Casandra Allen and Ms Helen Charles on the Guest Registration Table and the Fairview Staff Community Connections DCPC is looking for volunteers for the following positions Grant Writer Newsletter Editor Mentors age 25 and Older Human Services Intern Bookkeeper Graphic Artist Administrator Web Developer DC Project Connect is a nonprofit that provides all services to its constituents pro bono We are funded by community sponsors and grantors To volunteer contact dcprojectconnect gmail com Psychologist from NY stopped by to check out DCPC literature at 2017 Cong Black Caucus Happy patron all smiles with Jamie s Big Visit at Author s Pavilion Congressional Black Caucus

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 Another Supporter of DCPC Children s Book Ms Tokietha Wilson DCPC Mentor and Empowerment Station Spokesperson and BestSelling Author addresses audience during Mentoring Graduation DCPC Awarded the Fairview with the 2017 Community Service Award which now hangs in Foyer of the RRC Dr Hart Johnson and Fairview Case Manager Ms Broughton at Mentoring Graduation 6 DCPC Board Member Charles Hart adjusts his Board Member ID as he prepares for guest arrival at Fraser Mansion Mentor Graduation Gala Ms Helen Charles left Fairview Community Relations Board Member Mrs Casandra Allen DCPC Board member Mr Geoff Johnson setting up camera prior to TV Radio show airing Fairview Assistant Director Ms Candace Lipscomb at Mentoring Graduation Fraser Mansion DCPC Community Service Awards Presented by Geoff Johnson left to Ms Helen Charles Ms Tokeitha Wilson Dr Hart Johnson right Ms LaVetta Benemon left Fairview Director Gennine Hagar right at DCPC Gala Fairview Director Gennine Hagar at Mentoring Graduation Fraser Mansion DCPC Distinguished Supporter Award presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms Felicia Smith Goodie Girl Bags center and Co Presented by Dr Hart Johnson right

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 DCPC Outstanding Mentor Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms Andre Taylor Mentor and Co presented by Dr Hart Johnson right DCPC Outstanding Mentor Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms Tokeitha Wilson center and Co Presented by Dr Avon Hart Johnson right DCPC Outstanding Mentor Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms Christine Malone center and Co Presented by Dr Avon HartJohnson right 1 Dr Hart Johnson at World Power Gospel Radio Studio Thank you Dr Mays Mr Geoff Johnson DCPC Executive Director Presents Award to Dr Hart Johnson 7 Ms Tanisha Murden receives award for 2017 Mentoring Ms Rose Watkins Board Member Treasurer and Mistress of Ceremony DCPC Director Social Media Communication Board Member Charles Hart DCPC Outstanding Mentor Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms LaVetta Benemon center and Co Presented by Dr Avon Hart Johnson right Dr Vernelle Brown receives Mentor Coordinator Award Middle DCPC Outstanding Mentor Award Presented by Mr Geoff Johnson left to Ms DeShanta Hinton center and Co Presented by Dr Avon HartJohnson right Ms Lorna Kirlew DaVita Sponsor Receives DCPC 2017 Golden Fork Award We hope you enjoyed the pictures

DC PROJECT CONNECT CELEBRATES THE 2017 MENTORS AND FAIRVIEW PARTICIPANTS AT THE FRASER MANSION Issue 105 DCPC Feature article Celebrating Social Change Efforts From Practitioner to Another As colleagues and human services practitioners we have come to embrace the need to celebrate each other s successes as we travel this journey of social change on behalf of vulnerable and marginalized people Therefore while I celebrate her accomplishments as a business woman nonprofit leader and scholar she offered the following book review regarding my work By Ah Malah Barnes Bey Mrs Barnes Bey reading The Symbolic Imprisonment of African American Women A legacy of Mass Incarceration by Dr Avon HartJohnson By Avon Hart Johnson This month s feature article celebrates doctoral candidate Ms Ah Malah Vanessa Barnes Bey In this inaugural feature article that will appear in each of our future newsletters I introduce my colleague who is doing great work in the field of intimate partner violence IPV This topic is appropriate and timely since October is national Domestic Violence month Ms Barnes Bey is an accomplished keynote speaker and workshop presenter on the topic of IPV Her dissertation is entitled Exploring Spiritual Coping Mechanisms for African American Women Intimate Partner Violence Survivors This scholar practitioner currently holds a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University and a Bachelors of Social Work from Kean University Reading The Symbolic Imprisonment of African American Women by Dr Avon Hart Johnson was inspirational because the book contained real stories from African American women affected by this current epidemic of mass incarceration When reading pages 2933 I uncovered information relative to my doctoral research on IPV among African American women in terms of why women remain in tumultuous situations of abuse or a mate s imprisonment This work was relatable because I remember watching and hearing relatives go through similar situations like Lotus Sage and Jasmine featured her book about SIG C Symbolic Imprisonment Grief and Copying theory I watched these ladies suffer in silence and in public but not get to a point of resolution besides trying to move on as best as they could This strategy is similar to building resilience through being able to tap into a higher power or part of your being that enables you to lift yourself up cope and move forward in life in spite of the trauma Overall I found this book helpful as a means of generating a healthy conversation trauma personal crisis intimate partner abuse and societal challenges of being an African American woman or woman in general and experiencing separation from an incarcerated mate From one helping professional to another I am excited to see the positive transformation and insight that this book and other resourceful information from DCPC that will surely bring forth light about a dark epidemic that affects millions of women worldwide Thank you Dr Hart Johnson for being steadfast in your continued efforts to create such a dynamic social change in history 8 About DC Project Connect While there is the tremendous focus in the Washington DC area on various prisoner reentry strategies DC Project Connect DCPC a nonprofit 501 c 3 organization that contends that supportive family is one of the most effective reentry strategies for returning citizens ex offenders As such DCPC holds that strong familial ties can help returning citizens to overcome housing challenges and financial instability and provide critical resources for their transition Strong families also contribute to strong communities We believe that the nexus between familial stability and reentry is the domain in which we operate most successfully Further we believe that reentry strategies begin when the loved one goes to prison Therefore we seek to Strengthen families by providing social support programs and mentoring for returning citizens using evidence based practices and research Advocate for social justice by collaborating with community partners Raise awareness about mass incarceration s adverse effects on families and communities DCPC Board of Directors Dr Avon Hart Johnson President Mr Geoff Johnson Executive Director Ms Rose Watkins Treasurer Ms Casandra Allen Secretary Dr Vernelle Brown Board Member Ms LaVetta Benemon Board Member Mr Philip Fornaci Board Member Ms Rosanne Clausen Board Member Dr Robert Powitzky Board Member Mr Charles Hart Board Member