ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR SAFETY & JUSTICE.

A program of Partnership for Safety & Justice.

Our Mission.

To honor the spirit of the many advocates and activists that came before us by creating opportunities for learning and self-advocacy within Oregon’s most marginalized communities. We believe the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution. Behind every story, every experience, there is a human. That’s why we formed this initiative. It centers survivors of violence and people impacted by the criminal justice system. In collaboration with partner organizations throughout the state, we aim to empower, develop, and guide advocates in their journey to healing, influence, and change within the criminal justice system or wherever their passion for reform leads them.

Our Goals.

To provide trauma-informed leadership development to Advocacy Leaders by providing monthly coaching meetings and trainings, retreats, and group projects driven by our leader’s interest and community needs.

To help build our leaders’ capacity so that they can engage meaningfully in our Transforming Justice Coalition, which is a diverse group of partners that shares our commitment to racial justice and ending mass incarceration. By collaborating with these partners and empowering our leaders to participate, we’ve made significant changes. When Advocacy Leaders see the impact they’re making, it inspires them to continue pushing for positive change in their lives and in their communities.

Our Values.

Collaboration & partnership
Community
Lived experience
Humanity
Leadership
Empowerment
Anti-Racism

ADVOCACY LEADERS WILL…

  • Build relationships with other Advocacy Leadership participants and facilitators through attending regular meetings and events.
  • Be willing to communicate needs to facilitators so that you can participate at your best.
  • Take up space and ask questions! We want your voice. Your ideas. Our interest is in helping you to accomplish the change you want to see in your communities. It is important that we know how we can best grow your advocacy and we won’t know what you.
  • Keep private things private. Our work can sometimes include sensitive information about our processes our strategies for legislative change. We will generally let you know when this is important. If there is ever a question about this please ask, and we will happily let you know.
  • Think critically. We ask that you be dedicated to seeking information, critically evaluate the information, apply the knowledge gained and solve problems.
  • Honor the differences and contributions of each of our members. Practicing honest communication and providing/receiving constructive Due to the nature of our work, we will likely have different thoughts and feelings. At times we may even be triggered by certain information our group decisions and that is ok, but we ask that we remember that we are fostering an environment of grace, encouragement, and healing.

TIME COMMITMENT.

  • Once we establish our Orientation meeting time, we will work with leaders to determine what will work best for them with a basic framework of:
    • One weekly check in
    • A weekly transform meeting, and
    • An end of week debrief for a total of about 3.5 hours per week, unless the leader is wanting to engage more.

At this time Transforming Justice meetings are Tuesdays at 11:30AM via Zoom.

  • We will also ask that our leaders commit to at least one monthly one-on-one with our Movement Building Director or Policy Manager.
  • There may be times (like during legislative session) where our leaders will be asked to participate in advocacy or events related to our mission. These will be left up to the leader to decide when they are able to commit with the understanding that immersion lends to learning.
  • We will communicate via email if there are any upcoming opportunities or changes in times/locations.

WHO YOU ARE.

  • You have a strong interest in advocacy, specifically in criminal justice reform or advocating for marginalized communities.
  • Ideally, our leaders will be from an impacted community or possess lived experience with the criminal justice system.
  • Be willing to learn how or be capable of attending meetings via electronic platform
  • Preference will be given to those outside of the I-5 corridor and in rural areas, but all interested are encouraged to reach out
  • There is no previous experience in legislation or community work needed, only a desire to make positive changes within the communities you would like to serve.
  • Our ideal candidate should be curious, open, and willing to learn new concepts and ideas, as well as able to share their thoughts and needs with others.

HOW TO ENGAGE.

Step One: Contact Julianne Jackson at 503-849-8686 to schedule either a video or in person meeting. Be prepared to answer the following questions:

  1. What interests you about legislation, organizing, or activism?
  2. What ways help you learn best?
  3. Are there any obstacles to making a commitment to joining long term?
  4. What current issues are you most passionate about? Name your top two. Why do they interest you, and what do you think could be done to change the situation.

Step Two: Join one Transforming Justice meeting and debrief with one of our facilitators afterward. (Please Note: If there are any community service components or volunteer hour verification needed, please bring at this time. We would love to provide references or of completion of hours.)

Step Three: Join a one-on-one orientation and begin showing up!!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Contact Julianne Jackson
Movement Building Director
email: julianne@safetyandjustice.org
text: 503-849-8686

Learn more about the Transforming Justice Coalition