A Message From The Director
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Have you noticed LEAP’s flurry of activity?
We will be celebrating LEAP’s Class 18 graduation on September 6
th
. Our CLE legal symposium featuring State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is happening on September 14. The Compassion Project which opened June 7
th
will culminate with a conversation on Healing the Hurt, Expanding the Art of Compassion on September 20th.
And, THEN, on September 26th we host our 1st annual Second Chance Soiree, starring nationally known comedic storyteller James Judd and local songstresses, Leesa Richards and Brenda Alford, who will offer songs and stories of compassion.
All of this activity is to commemorate LEAP’s 10-year anniversary. Ten years of being the
only
organization in Florida that provides a comprehensive continuum of care for women in prison that begins in prison and continues post release. Ten years of putting compassion in action.
If you are reading this, we count you as among those in our inner circle. We count you among those that we absolutely need to continue our work.
We ask that you show your support for second chances by purchasing a ticket to the Second Chance Soiree and take a friend. Visit the Compassion Project and take a friend. Tell your attorney friends about our legal symposium, share our social media posts, shop at the Dragonfly Thrift Boutique.
Without you, there is no LEAP. And without LEAP there is absolutely no one to give women in prison a second chance.
Join the conversation. Join the celebration. Show that you believe education is more effective than incarceration. We need you, really.
Details about the festivities are below.
With Gratitude and Compassion,
Mahlia Lindquist, Esq.
Executive Director
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DO YOU BELEIVE IN SECOND CHANCES?
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For the past 10 years, we at LEAP have empowered women to move from retribution to rehabilitation by providing transitional education to women transitioning from prison in Florida, a state where only 14% of incarcerated women have access to educational programs. By providing programming that includes entrepreneurship, employable skills training and trauma-informed substance abuse classes we have seen that less than 5% of LEAP graduates return to prison, in comparison to a 50% recidivism rate nationally!
To celebrate 10 years of providing second chances, we are hosting our First Annual Second Chance Soiree. Join us for an evening of songs and stories of compassion starring NPR’s James Judd and local celebrity singers Brenda Alford and Leesa Richards preceded by cocktails and nibbles and followed by an after party.
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James Judd
Master of Ceremony
Comedian and Writer
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Leesa Richards
Critically Acclaimed Performance Artist
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Brenda Alford
Jazz and Blues Vocalist
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Victoria Hardy, a graduate from our 17th Class, has quickly gone about the business of putting prison in her past. With her amazing work ethic and positive attitude, after just a couple months, we can't imagine not having Victoria on the Dragonfly Thrift Boutique team. She is already on the path to fulfilling her dream of graduating from college, and has already enrolled at Miami Dade College, with a plan to obtain a business degree.
Victoria can often be seen toodling around town on her bike, and can
always
be found smiling, laughing -- or both.
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DRAGONFLY THRIFT BOUTIQUE
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LEAP's
Dragonfly Thrift Boutique
is not your average thrift shop. It is an organically cultivated space that showcases vintage treasures and local finds while providing LEAP graduates a second chance at employment.
NEW STORE HOURS ALERT
: We are now open until 6pm on Saturday's!
REMEMBER
Every Saturday is 25% off the entire store. But beware, some of our nicest items are gone before the weekend!
Follow us on Instagram to keep up with our latest merchandise, and be sure to check in and tag us!
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DRAGONFLY THRIFT BOUTIQUE
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Class 18 Graduation Ceremony
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We send a special congratulations on successful completion of another successful term!
¨Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start now and make a brand new ending¨
Carl Bard
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Ethical and Practical Considerations for the Legal Profession
Saturday, September 14, 2019
8:30 AM to 2:15 PM
This intermediate workshop will include talks by Judge Steve Leifman and Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle, and will help legal professionals to address ethical and practical considerations in a changing world. By better understanding the role of health and illness in American society, this workshop will shed light on health, mental illness, substance abuse and dependence disorders to allow lawyers to advance professional behaviors and advance professional responsibility. The Florida Bar has approved this course for five continuing legal education professional responsibility credits.
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The Compassion Project
is a photography project which aims to upend the preconceptions our society has about incarcerated women. Who are they? How did they become incarcerated? Who and what have they left behind? What is possible for them now?
The show features LEAP graduates, and debuted at the Coral Gables Museum
June 7, 2019
to a full house and rave reviews. On June 20th.
The show features an audio component which provides a more intimate experience of the narratives, which you can experience with the free App
called The Compassion Project Miami
.
Join us at the
Coral Gables Museum on September 20th, 6:30
for a discussion of Healing the Hurt, Expanding the Art of Compassion Discussion. Panelist include LEAP Board member Shed Boren, LEAP instructor Dale Quaint,
Adrian Mesa, DNP, AMP Group Mental Health Services,Lina Acosta Sandaal, MA, LMFT, Director, Stop Parenting Alone, and some of our special LEAP Ladies.
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LADIES EMPOWERMENT AND ACTION PROGRAM
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DRAGONFLY THRIFT BOUTIQUE
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Over the past 10 years working with women in prison, we at LEAP have learned that if given tools to succeed, most will remain crime free.
Thanks to the support of our community, over the past 2 years LEAP has expanded from an in-prison program, to one that includes transitional housing, employment and other support post release.
LEAP is 100% dependent on the generosity of our community. Please consider donating today.
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Ladies Empowerment and Action Program | Dragonfly Thrift Boutique | (833) 757 - 5327 | info@leapforladies.org | www.leapforladies.org
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