College Guild

www.collegeguild.org

Prisoner Issues Affect the Economy.

As we move into the Labor Day weekend, College Guild continues to offer inmates real learning that leads to the acquisition of training and jobs after release. This supports families, reduces housing and food insecurity, and reduces recidivism. Our students speak about new motivation and confidence for learning, which leads many of them to build skills, and acquire certification before and after release-

“Without an adequate education, prison inmates returning to society do not have the skills necessary for meaningful employment. This leaves them stuck in a lower economic level and vulnerable to returning to prison.” Jeffrey

To learn more about how our prisons and jails leads to economic injustice, from the Prison Policy Institute, click the link to their article, 10 Ways That Mass Incarceration Is an Engine of Economic Injustice:

10 ways that mass incarceration is an engine of economic injustice The fight for a fair economy and the movement against prisons are one and the same.

As I get ready to retire... this is my final appeal for College Guild. A tiny and amazing organization doing work across the country.

Click the link to access our first ever Annual Report. It's a peak behind the doors of the board and our work providing free correspondence education to people in prison in all 50 states.

https://www.collegeguild.org/

Research shows that 70 to 100 million Americans have a criminal record, around one in three working-age adults. Sixty percent of them are unemployed a year after leaving prison. This group is underutilized and bypassed for the millions of jobs that remain open across all industries, but the winds are shifting.

Why Criminal Justice Reform Is Becoming a Corporate Priority Business opportunity and ethical concerns are lining up to change hiring practices and policies to give those with criminal records a second chance.

"Just from my own perspective -- and I would think probably yours -- if you know that upwards of 90 percent of people are going to be released one day, right? Would you want this person that’s going to be your neighbor, would you want them to have been in prison, left without air conditioning, didn’t have food, where they were mistreated, disrespected and abused -- would you want that person to be your neighbor? Or would you want the prisoner to be your neighbor who received education, humane treatment, rehabilitation? I would prefer that second person because I think they would be less likely to break into my house and rob my house once they’re released. And I think as a society we need to start looking at that. ..We are doing people a disservice by trying to mistreat them while they’re incarcerated. Being incarcerated, being taken away from your family, not being home for the holidays, not seeing your children grow up, having these moments that are taking place in all the lives of people that you love and care about but you can’t be there? That’s the punishment."
Denise Rock, executive director of the advocacy group Florida Cares Charity Corp.

Advocate for Florida prison inmates discusses conditions during extreme heat wave Denise Rock is the executive director of the advocacy group Florida Cares Charity Corp.

Check out this amazing infographic by Calla! She's a highschool student who took the time to support College Guild with her skills!

After dorms were shuttered and prison beds taken offline, Gov. Ron DeSantis, in September 2022, activated the Florida National Guard to work at prisons. Three-hundred National Guard members continue to work at the facilities.

https://zurl.co/BhS9

A report spells out dire conditions in Florida's prison system It says more than $2.2 billion is needed to fix issues such as leaking roofs and adding air conditioning to existing prisons.

The best course of action is clear.
Share this image to support incarcerated education!
Visit https://zurl.co/V7cc to support change in the treatment of incarcerated men and women.

BIG NEWS! PLEASE SHARE!

We need your help to make sure we can secure these funds!

We just received an incredibly generous matching gift from Steph Garber!

Steph has promised that if we can raise $7500 at tonight's Virtual Breakfast, she will give us another $2500!!!

So please join us and help College Guild meet our goal!

You can access the event from collegeguild.org at 7 pm EST Tonight!

Link to the event: https://www.collegeguild.org/

See you then!

College Guild - Free Courses for Prisoners College Guild provides free correspondence courses that connect incarcerated people with a community beyond prison walls, fostering mutual respect through a shared passion for learning. free courses prisoners volunteer prisoners incarceration education prison education prison correspondence courses

Owing to the events in Lewiston, College Guild was forced to cancel our Bridge Builder’s Breakfast Fundraiser. We have decided to hold a “Virtual Breakfast” as a replacement. The event will feature most of the same programming, including live speakers and a message from Representative Justin J. Pearson.

WHEN:
November 21st
7 pm EST

WHERE:
Collegeguild.org

Thank you for being understanding. We love our College Guild Family, and we hope to see you there.

Friends of College Guild,

Out of respect for our friends and family in Lewiston, we are canceling our breakfast, which was scheduled for Friday, October 27th. We will be inviting you to a virtual version of the event later in November. We have some wonderful speakers that we are looking forward to sharing with you.

Sincerely,

College Guild Board, Staff, and Volunteers

Are you hungry? We're hungry. Let's come together to break bread and change lives!
October 27, 2023, 8:00-9:00 am EST
675 Old Portland Road
Brunswick, ME
We Will Be Asking For A Donation At The Event
RSVP at https://zurl.co/njhq