My time at Out For Justice ( OFJ ) has been an incredibly unique experience . Working at a grassroots nonprofit with only two paid employees meant that I worked more hours than anyone and often had to start projects independently . I ended up being grateful for OFJ ’ s work environment . The lack of structure meant I learned how to be proactive and was allowed to take on more responsibility than most summer interns . I really got to know the ins and outs of OFJ and connect one-on-one with their members .
Speaking to members about their experiences with the criminal justice system and helping returning citizens with their resumes and job interviews was important to strengthen our organization ’ s ties to our community . I helped plan two membership meetings this summer to discuss OFJ ’ s policy agenda for this upcoming legislative session . One of my favorite events of the summer was a town hall we co-hosted with one of our partners , Maryland Justice Project . It was empowering to be in a room alongside justice-involved communities , returning citizens , nonprofit leaders , and community advocates . The moderated discussion about ending the incarceration of women and girls in Maryland taught me a lot about how gender inequality is amplified in the criminal justice system .
Working on many different projects this summer meant developing a diverse set of professional skills . Taking the lead on projects like website design meant improving my graphic design and photography skills . Working on OFJ ’ s behind-the-walls case management meant that I gained a better understanding of the daily realities of incarceration and the legal rights of incarcerated citizens . Most importantly , this summer allowed me to deepen my knowledge of Baltimore City and develop meaningful connections with our community members , and I ’ m excited to continue to volunteer for OFJ in the fall !
Community Partner : Out For Justice Intern : Jessica Zhang Site Supervisor : Nicole Hanson
What is Out for Justice ? Out For Justice is an ex-offender , member led organization that promotes policy reform of policies that adversely affect the ex-offender re-entering into society successfully . Out For Justice strives to change the perception of the ex-offender by promoting the 3 Es , education , empowerment , and engagement .
• Improved member engagement by creating a new member database system , a new texting service to contact members , and a series of weekly email newsletters
• Assisted in building a comprehensive brand image for OFJ by cleaning up their logo , creating brand guidelines , designing marketing materials , posting on their Facebook page , and working on their website design
• Helped with behind the walls case management by writing letters of appeal to local representatives , filing inmate grievances with prison administration and the ACLU , and assisting in petitions for post-conviction relief with the Office of the Public Defender
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