The CFSY held its second Freedom Celebration in the historic city of Philadelphia on November 13, 2025. The event was filled with revolutionary joy and overflowing gratitude. For those of us who grew up in prison, it was a powerful affirmation that we deserve not only a second chance, but also a life filled with healing, hope, love, and joy.
A pinnacle moment was honoring CFSY Co-Founder Bryan Stevenson, the Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative. Even before co-founding CFSY in 2009, he pushed many to think boldly about how we treat children, sparking a national movement to end extreme sentencing of youth. His groundbreaking arguments before the Supreme Court in the companion cases of both Graham v. Florida and Miller v. Alabama paved the way for youth sentencing reforms across the nation, leading to the release of thousands of individuals once condemned to die in prison or serve extreme sentences as children.
It was an honor of a lifetime to be able to thank him for his leadership and for representing our humanity in the courts of law and public opinion. A video tribute featuring members of the Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN) and the National Family Network (NFN) helped express our collective gratitude:
Over 300 guests – advocates, partners, survivors of violence, and loved ones – gathered in a city that represents both the deep pain of this issue and the incredible power of redemption. Once home to the largest population of children condemned to die in prison, Philadelphia is now home to the most life-sentenced children who are now free. We chose this site to reconcile with our difficult history, reclaim our humanity, and celebrate our right to redemption.
This Freedom Celebration was more than just an event; it is central to our work. It is at the core of our individual healing and community care strategy, and a demonstration of transformative healing and restorative justice in action. We believe that to dismantle injustice, to prevent harm, we must also build and nurture spaces for connection and joy. Celebration is not a distraction from the work; it is essential to it.
While there is still much work to be done to achieve our collective freedom, we are so glad that this gathering allowed us to embrace the revolutionary acts of pausing, breathing deeply, laughing, dancing, and celebrating.
After the celebration, we asked participants: “What did Freedom Celebration mean to you?”. We hope these reflections leave you with a renewed understanding of how meaningful and vital these spaces of shared joy, healing, and belonging are for our community.
“The Freedom Celebration reminded me of what it feels like to breathe again. It was a moment where hope, community, and gratitude all came together in one space. For me, it was more than an event—it was a reminder that no matter what we go through, there’s always room to grow, to heal, and to move forward. Being surrounded by individuals with similar lived experiences, shared purpose and positive energy helped me reset, refocus, and reconnect with what truly matters.”
“As a survivor of crime, the CFSY Freedom Celebration represents much more than just an event; it is a powerful opportunity for me to pause and breathe deeply. It allows me to reflect on my personal journey of healing—recognizing the incredible distance I’ve traveled, the obstacles I’ve overcome, and the values that still drive me forward. This celebration is a vital moment to honor not only my struggles but also those of countless others who have faced harm. It serves as a poignant reminder of the immense courage, unwavering resilience, and profound sacrifice required every single day. Together, we celebrate our strength and the hope that unites us all.”
“I used to dream […] of days [when] I could dance around freely and sing amongst people who love me. We were all dancing around, loving on each other, laughing and singing. Those memories I will hold in my heart forever.”
“Here, I can celebrate the success of others and also feel the comfort from those who understand the heaviness of incarceration’s impact on us all. I always feel uplifted, inspired, motivated and loved when I am among the CFSY family.”
“I’ve been advocating for the CFSY for 15 years. To see everyone who’s come home is truly inspiring and heartwarming.”
“It is amazing to see all of the impacted citizens together, I remember when there weren’t any – it was just a dream that we would see our loved ones in a space like this.”
“I left feeling inspired, committed to change, and grateful for community.”
“[The Freedom Celebration was] a time to connect with others like me who understand what it is like trying to navigate life after release. So many of us are out in the community working hard to catch up and help those we left behind. Nobody can understand how that affects us, like us. I didn’t WANT to attend, I NEEDED to.”
“It meant the absolute world to me. I just got out in April after doing 31 years and to see so many that were affected just like me and to see them happy and free and thriving just gave me so much hope and so much drive because I know I could be just like that.”
