Empowering Women And Children Impacted By The Criminal Justice System
Dear New Hour Friend,

Our graduate CJ shared in her speech, "Through EMERGE, I've found my voice and I'm never letting it go." These past two weeks have been packed with excitement. An amazing 15 weeks of growth and self-discovery has come to an end for our women in reentry. We are so proud of our Spring '21 EMERGE graduating class. A big thank you to Legislator Jason Richberg, S. Karen Burke of Sisters of St. Joseph's and our board president Vanessa Pino-Lockel for powerful words of encouragement in their addresses to our graduates.

Also, the New York Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act is now law, ending the state’s practice of suspending an individual’s driver’s license when they cannot afford to pay a traffic fine. Read the Driven By Justice coalition’s FAQ here for more details on the new law’s implementation and how people can get their license reinstated.

As we continue our direct services and advocacy efforts, we invite you to join us in the following ways:

  • Saturday, July 17th at 12pm we will celebrate the HALT solitary confinement act enacted into law. Join us and HALT Solitary in Central Park at 110th & 5th Ave. Entrance - near the 2/3 subway stop, and RSVP here by July 1st.

  • Apply here for the Center for Community Alternative's Summer Organizing Institute, to learn about grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and campaign strategy in the fight to end mass incarceration in New York State.



Gratefully,

The New Hour Team
(Amanda, Anitria, Danielle, Daphne, Jess, Kelsey, Lindsay, Pam, Serena, & Shoshana)
Member Spotlight: Welcome Home!
We recently welcomed home a 67-year-old grandmother who spent decades behind bars. It was such a pleasure to spend the day with her, celebrate her return, and provide needed items to ensure successful reentry.

She shared, "I wanted to thank you so much for Tuesday, you and all the girls it was wonderful. You made me feel so good, thank you for all the wonderful things you gave me and the cake. I can’t wait to see you on the 29th."
NeoPolitical Cowgirls: A Panel Discussion
NeoPolitical Cowgirls invited us to an amazing performance where our Executive Director Serena joined a panel with Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood, and Angie Cruz, author of Dominicana, to talk about freedom and the impact of incarceration on women and mothers.
Tribeca Film Festival
We joined Incarcerated Nations Network for a powerful screening about the global impact of the epidemic of incarceration, followed by a compelling panel discussion.

EMERGE leaders tabled during the festival, and were greeted by women who said they were desperate for support and assistance. We shared about our work to provide reentry support and extended our resources to women in need.
Empowerment Series
The theme of June's Empowerment Series meeting was self-growth, discovery, and building self-esteem. EMERGE graduate Pam came to an insightful realization which resonated with the group: “I deserve to be me without judgement."