I was nervous beyond measure when I first started at Out for Justice . As a public health major interested in healthcare policy , I initially did not see how my interests aligned with the work that OFJ does as an advocate for legislative reform to empower the formerly incarcerated community . However , through my experiences at OFJ , I have learned how interconnected the issues that affect the Black community are . For example , I was able to see how systemic racism within the medical system translates to unfair involuntary commitment policies . I was inspired by the OFJ staff to vote for the first time , exercise my civic duties , and battle the disenfranchisement experienced by BIPOC communities .
Working with OFJ has been incredibly meaningful . Looking back , I can condense my achievements to include examining my biases , researching , and identifying the loopholes within our legislative system and understanding the nuances of grant applications as a small , grassroots organization . A particularly important experience involved the opportunity to present information on the criminalization of fatherhood to our member base . I saw how our legal system penalizes parents for not being able to financially support their child rather than incentivizing them to provide emotional or developmental support . I then researched bills that OFJ could support in the next legislative session that aligned with solutions provided by our member base . I wanted to show how the system was broken , what feedback OFJ has received from our member base , and how we will enact that into policy action items .
Through my presentation , and the subsequent member-led discussion on the topic , I learned how deeprooted these issues are , and how this results in both the father and the child being robbed of strong , healthy , familial relationships . Additionally , I was incredibly fortunate to be a part of the organization during the development of a new data collection system . This defined much of my experience at OFJ . I saw how OFJ straddled the line between protecting the comfort and confidentiality of individuals requesting assistance while also maintaining their integrity as a nonprofit organization when interacting with funders . These experiences have taught me incredibly important skills that I know will translate to my future careers , but will also inspire me in my personal life to be a more active , engaged , and educated citizen .
Analyzed data to track requests for legal , monetary , and food assistance for funding reports that were used in grant applications
Oversaw the weekly newsletter for the organization that depicted their upcoming events , advertisements from partners and summaries of local and national news occurrences
Conducted research on candidates for the upcoming primary and general elections and disseminated the information for our voter base
Analyzed bills on relevant issues in Maryland and presented the information to facilitate memberled discussions during monthly advocacy meetings
45
29TH STREET COMMUNITY CENTER WHITELOCK PUBLIC COMMUNITY SHEPHERD
OUT JUSTICE FOR ' S JUSTICE
FARM CENTER CLINIC
Peer Intern : Aiman Altaf
Intern Mentor Intern Intern : Marisa : Fatima : : Genesis Diksha Iyer
Thomas Baloul Aire
Supervisor Nathalie Werebe Supervisor Supervisor : Kimberly : Dwan Dave : Jenny Raikes Rodwin Burton
Jiang What is the 29th Street Community Center ?
What is the What Whitelock is the What
What Public Community is Shepherd is Justice Out for
Farm ' Center s
Justice
Clinic ?
?
The 29th Street Community Center offers a variety of programs for kids , adults Out , and for
Whitelock The
Justice all
We Public ages , Inc
Community provide . Justice The . ( OFJ free mission Farm Center ) an of organization , comprehensive is a uses the vibrant 29th legal open Street advocacy
comprised health space Community care tools
of individuals that for those to grows Center pursue who is to who food
build are and and social both activates
strengthen directly cannot justice afford , and community economic neighborhoods indirectly commercial and
impacted to promote insurance race and equity people by social , yet ,
the and do by criminal equity not bringing fundamental justice qualify in the together for residents human system of north rights advocating central for people Baltimore for the who reform through are struggling of meaningful policies government to
and neighborhood provide community practices assistance for their building that
. . and high-quality adversely enrichment affect programming successful for reintegration all ages and basic into background society needs .
. .
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING GOVERNMENT AND POLICY ENVIRONMENT NON-PROFIT HEALTHCARE , SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH