Synopsis:

Redemption + Restoration is an insightful mini-documentary that features the voices and stories of justice impacted Black community members from the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Redemption + Restoration highlights their transformative journey along the pathway to gainful employment, impactful community involvement, redemption and restoration.

System Impacted Community Members

We want to honor and acknowledge the justice impacted community members who were courageous and shared their stories. Also, we give a heartfelt thank you to all of the community-based organizations who participated in this project. By sharing your experiences, you’re bringing awareness to the opportunities to make our communities safe for everyone.

Bobbie Butts

Bobbie Butts

Bobby Butts, 42, is a Riverside, CA native and loving mother of four children. Having spent a significant amount of time living in Chattanooga, TN, Bobbie is known for her “country accent” and southern charm. Bobbie’s run-ins with the justice system began early and spanned over the course of 20 years resulting in having her children removed from her custody and enduring a six year battle to regain custody. Bibbie currently works as the Assistant Director of the Family Reunification, Equity and Empowerment Project operating within the non-profit organization, Starting Over, Inc. On a mission to help create successful pathways for justice-impacted individuals to reunite and provide for their families, Bobbie aspires to become a civil rights lawyer and ultimately serve as a United States Senator.

Mark Hope

Mark Hope

Mark Hope, 58, is a long time resident of Southern California, having relocated to the Los Angeles area from the Midwest. As a formerly incarcerated person, Mark’s street savvy and willingness to do what it took to survive in an environment that lacked substantial resources for underserved communities led him to experience multiple run-ins with law enforcement. With his recent release after serving 40 years in prison Mark now employs the lessons he learned while incarcerated to help himself and others, and give back to his community as an activist and an advocate for justice reform. Mark currently serves as the operations supervisor for the non-profit organization, Chrysalis, in Colton, CA.

James Every

James Every

James Every, 57, is a Los Angeles, CA native, U.S. Military veteran, husband, father and grandfather. First detained at age 10, challenges in James’ home environment set the stage for repeated run-ins with law enforcement. After 25 years of run-ins with the law, James found himself facing a 25 year life sentence due to the three-strikes legislation at the time. This life sentence was the turning point in James’ life as he had the opportunity to reflect on his past and set a new trajectory for his future. Now released from prison, James uses his story to inspire the youth to make better decisions. He also works with IE Rebound – a non-profit organization providing services and support for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Pastor Casey

Pastor Casey

Pastor Sam Casey is a husband, father of three wonderful children, and community organizer of over 25 years. In addition to serving as the executive director of Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement, also known as COPE, Casey is also the proud pastor of New Life Christian church in the city of Fontana, where he and his wife have served faithfully for over eight years. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Pastor Casey relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1981 and has dedicated over 25 years to serving as a community organizer and advocate for justice reform and reducing the recidivism rate for justice impacted individuals.

Dr. Jennifer Tilton

Dr. Jennifer Tilton

Dr. Jennifer Tilton is a professor at the University of Redlands and the facilitator of the Inland Empire Fair Chance Coalition. Jennifer’s work as an organizer is centered around policy reform to provide justice-impacted persons with criminal records the resources and opportunities to advocate for themselves upon release and reentry into the workforce. Dr. Tilton is passionate about humanizing formerly incarcerated individuals, so they can beseen as people first who are qualified and worthy of employment. Dr. Tilton and her organization have worked hard to ban legislation, such as the Box Law, which created obstacles for individuals with criminal records to secure employment and build stable lives.

Vonya Quarles

Vonya Quarles

Vonya Quarles is the director and co-founder of Starting Over, Inc. . Vonya grewup at the intersection of both the child welfare system and the criminal justice system which created a flawed foundation for her, and contributed to Vonya becoming a third generation convicted felon. After years spent within the justice system, Vonya is proudly 20 years sober and giving back to her community as an advocate and resource providing accessible housing opportunities to unhoused and marginalized individuals that are system impacted.

Participating Organizations

C.O.P.E.

Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE) is a 501(c)3 faith-based organization, established in 2000 by a core group of pastors. COPE is a faith rooted, faith based community organization located in the Inland Empire area of Southern California with home offices in San Bernardino. COPE’s mission is to build the capacity of small to midsize African American congregations and community based organizations, parents and youth to revitalize the communities in which they live, work and worship. COPE emerged as the leading organization to address the concerns of Black community members within San Bernardino and Riverside counties who expressed the need for change in order to build stronger communities.

Starting Over, Inc.

With offices in LA and Riverside County, Starting Over, Inc. proudly exists as a Black-led non-profit organization created and run by formerly incarcerated and system impacted people. Starting Over, Inc., provides supportive services for people who are system impacted and all other people in need of shelter or housing. Their efforts blend civic engagement, public policy, and advocacy work to help Southern California’s most vulnerable populations by addressing homelessness, recidivism, and reentry. Starting Over, Inc.,prides themselves on the successes that their efforts help develop for these individuals. Beyond providing employment, Starting Over, Inc., provides a support system and guidance through the reentry process for recently released people getting reestablished into society. Through education, empowerment, peer support, and civic engagement, Starting Over, Inc.,has helped over 1,400 men, women, and families.

IE Rebound

Inland Empire Rebound is an organization with a mission centered around providing services that prevent crime, facilitate reentry, and reduce recidivism for Black and Brown men in and around their community. Inland Empire Rebound works to ensure that system impacted people who desire a second chance have the opportunity for successful reintegration and are "reentry ready" and prepared to meet their goals of employment, housing, education, family reunification, and financial stability. IE Rebound’s programs and services equip people in reentry together with the resources and tools they need to achieve successful reintegration.

Chrysalis

Chrysalis is a workforce development program operating within the Orange County and Greater Los Angeles County regions of California. Through Individualized supportive services and paid transitional employment, Chrysalis aims to empower system impacted individuals on their pathway to stability, security, and fulfillment in both their work and lives. Chrysalis’ core employment services are designed and developed to meet clients where they are while supporting them during every phase of their job search. Chrysalis provides their clients access to on-site mental health support, housing referrals, and legal assistance as well as scholarship opportunities that provide access to external training, certifications, and other tools for success.. Since 1984, Chrysalis has served more than 77,000 individuals experiencing housing and financial instability. Chrysalis continues to uphold their vision of changing lives through jobs with a total of five active service centers.

Thank you

Special thanks to all participants, organizers, artists, and organizations who contributed their unique stories and expertise. An extra special thanks to Esha Hickson and Anthony Blackshear for your artivism and moving performance. 

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