Thank you so much for reaching out to the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. You are receiving this email because you would like to volunteer your time in service of our mission to end extreme prison sentences for children in the United States. We greatly appreciate your interest!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have reduced ability to facilitate customized volunteer experiences. Also, we are an organization that primarily works with people who were imprisoned as children and released as adults, so we do not have opportunities if you want to work directly with youth.
There are plenty of other ways to get involved in our work! The opportunities below are the best ways to support us.
- Donate
Financial support is critical to sustain our legislative advocacy efforts, provide direct support to members of our Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN), and fight against dehumanizing narratives in the media. Click here to make a contribution.
- Provide resources
Now more than ever, our ICAN members and others being released from prison across the country need our support, compassion, and most importantly, resources. During the COVID-19 crisis, the most urgent needs include gift cards, new digital equipment for virtual work, free or discounted phone plans, and short-term loans. Find out more about how you can help through our Community Prosperity Initiative and contact Anna Melbin at amelbin@cfsy.org.
- Support our legislative advocacy efforts
Our Legal & Policy Team is working in states around the country to abolish life without parole and other extreme sentences for children. We depend on people like you to mobilize support and bring about change at the state level. To learn more about our efforts and where you can help, contact Preston Shipp at pshipp@cfsy.org.
- Join an event
We host virtual events to give our community the space to conven and connect. To learn more, contact Christina Oliver at coliver@cfsy.org.
- Increase our visibility and stay informed
We depend on our community members like you to highlight our work within your networks. You can support and amplify our work by joining our email list and following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
- Join our Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network
If you were incarcerated for a crime committed as a child, consider becoming a part of ICAN. ICAN is a community of individuals who have returned home after being sent to prison as children where individuals provide support and guidance to one another. ICAN members also work to change the narratives about formerly incarcerated youth and advocate for age-appropriate sentencing for children. Contact Eddie Ellis at eellis@cfsy.org or Catherine Jones at cjones@cfsy.org for more information. If you are a person currently serving or formerly incarcerated, we may also be interested in sharing your story.
- Join our National Family Network
Our National Family Network (NFN) is a community of friends and family members of people impacted by youth violence. This includes individuals whose loved ones are serving extreme sentences for crimes committed as children, as well as individuals who have lost loved ones to youth violence. The NFN engages in dialogue, action planning, and information sharing to advance efforts to end the practice of sentencing youth to life in prison without the possibility of parole. If you are interested in becoming a part of this community, please fill out our National Family Network Interest Form and contact Crystal Carpenter at ccarpenter@cfsy.org. If you have lost a loved one to youth violence, have an incarcerated family member, or have another personal connection to youth incarceration, we may also be interested in sharing your story.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@cfsy.org.
