“By trusting people that wanted me to do right, I became a new garden to cultivate new habits.” M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.

Today, M is just a few credits away from earning certificates in Business Administration and Human Services Management. He is eagerly preparing for the future with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

This week, CFSY’s Co-Director of Outreach and Community Care Programs, Eddie Ellis, celebrated his 20th Freedom Anniversary! Reflecting on this monumental moment, Eddie shared:

I stood firm in the things I’ve fought for and the truths I know to be mine. I didn’t let anyone rewrite my story. I didn’t let anyone shrink my purpose. I kept moving, kept growing, and kept standing on the principles that carried me through every challenge.

CFSY's Donnell Drinks joined CFSY Board Member Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah for the National Bar Association's 101st Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee! Donnell participated in a panel exploring why incarceration and reentry are among the most pressing civil rights issues.

Members of our Movement Building Team traveled to Chicago to connect with ICAN and NFN members advancing reform, prevention, healing, and restorative justice on the South Side.

These conversations were a powerful reminder that lasting change starts at the local level. Across every visit, we heard the same message: people are looking for spaces rooted in trust and belonging.

That’s a wrap on CFSY’s second annual Development Team Retreat! Over two days in New York City, our team came together to reflect on our progress, strengthen our fundraising strategy, and align on priorities for the year ahead.