A press conference will be held, 12:30pm, in the Rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol building on Thursday, February 16, 2012, by over two dozen groups participating in the “Have A Heart for Advocacy” Meet-and-Greet.
The 25 groups are looking to draw constituents together in support of ‘positive change’ represent a broad spectrum of social topics, including: Arkansans Organizing for Justice is a grassroots initiative dedicated to addressing the issue of long prison sentences with no chance for release.
The Arkansas Community Dispute Resolution Centers,Inc., helps Arkansas communities resolve all types of disputes and improve access to justice, with family, childsupport, visitation, mediation services, neighborhood
dispute resolution services, landlord/tenant disputes, consumer disputes, business disputes, facilitation services, conflict resolution training services for individuals, neighbors, families, consumers, churches, schools, businesses, groups/organizations, police and government entities.
Arkansas C.U.R.E. advocates for regular visits with juvenile detainees, working with them to piece together opportunities and services that will enable them, upon release from incarceration, to establish and build a
meaningful life in society.
Arkansas Innocence Initiative investigates claims of innocence from persons in the Arkansas prison system, helping to exonerate the innocent and raise public awareness about the issue of wrongful convictions.
Arkansas Time After Time, which advocates for safer communities by reducing recidivism with a special focus on eliminating the unintended social and economic ramifications of current sex-offender laws.
Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind serves children of incarcerated parents and other children left behind, including children of deported immigrants. Additionally, services for the incarcerated parent and caregivers are provided in the jail, prisons, and for two or more years following re-entry, focusing on family reunification and community re-entry. Advocacy and policy initiatives are also part of the work, plus TA and training.
Ban The Box is a national movement for community organizing to bring down the established employment roadblocks for people retuning from prison, which is being initiated in Little Rock to help make state legislators aware of
the needless number of systemic barriers to ex-offenders successful return to society.
Canvas Community United Methodist Church provides an ’emergency warming shelter’ and other support services for those enduring homelessness; works in partnership with other groups to host ‘Dinner and a Movie’ outreach and
also with Dunbar Community Garden which enables community members to learn about small-scale agriculture while growing fruits and vegetables to feed themselves and the hungry of Little Rock.
Catholic Charities Immigration Services Crime Victims Services works with law enforcement agencies and parish/community teams to educate the public about immigrant victims’ rights when they are victims of a violent crime and to provide access to critical resources for victims in crisis.
Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) advocates regular visit with juvenile detainees, working with them to piece together opportunities and services that will enable them, upon release from incarceration, to establish and build a meaningful life in society.
The Center for Women in Transition offers programing, mentoring and basic assistance to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, helping them successfully transition back into society and lead lives of self worth, self reliance and self discipline. The Clemency Action Committee is a grassroots concept that began in August of 2008 and is continuously searching for avenues of release for those sentenced to life or those that have a sentence equivalent to life. With a primary focus on Juveniles sentenced to Life, the CAC supports any and all organizations who are working toward a better quality of life for all Inmates. Current advocacy is to Amend Arkansas Code 9-27-510 (c) (1) (B)
concerning Juveniles placed in the Arkansas Dept of Correction; or to cause Retroactivity for Same.
Compassion Works for All is dedicated to the transformation of society’s view on prisons, educates the public on the root causes of crime and violence and encourages a transformation of the criminal justice system for
optimal well-being.
Goodwill Industries (TEO Program) enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.
Homecoming Mothers Coalition concerns mothers returning and the various supports they need, include trauma-informed peer support groups.
KABF 88.3 FM, Voice of the People, Little Rock, is an ‘all volunteer’ community news, talk-radio, education and musical entertainment radio station, which has been in continuous operation since 1984.
Lewis-Burnette Employment Finders, Inc. helps ex-felons and others find gainful local employment within their community.
Little Rock Alert Centers works to create a climate of achievement and reclaim neighborhood power by building trust, providing easy access to city services and coordinating neighborhood drug-prevention and crime-abatement
programs.
Occupy Little Rock (OLR) is the local chapter in a global network of civilian political action and advocacy groups dedicated to attaining full accountability of and true representation by government officials.
Partners Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) provides a safe haven for rescued victims of human trafficking to heal and re-build their lives, including residential treatment in a safe, caring environment to promote restoration
and reintegration for exploited women and children.
Safe Places provides a 24-hour crisis line, counseling, support groups, therapeutic victim impact sessions and violence prevention education. Children and families harmed by sexual violence, child abuse, family violence, community violence, trafficking, stalking, exploitation and other forms of victimization find help at Safe Places.
Simone’s Home is a transitional residency and life-skills foster care program for ‘at risk’ juvenile girls.
SOAR Network promotes and supports the collaboration of agencies, churches, businesses, and individuals who coordinate and focus knowledge, skills, talents, and resources on eliminating homelessness in Central Arkansas.
Stop The Violence Society is committed to programs, funding and legislation dedicated to ending domestic abuse, advocates for victims to be heard, supported and helped, and works to educate abusers that violence will not be
tolerated.
The United Church Of Peace is strongly oriented toward outreach and service with a focus on contributing toward the existing efforts of local organizations and other churches which help the homeless.
Scheduled specifically to coincide with the opening week of the 2012 Arkansas General Assembly, the public meet & greet legislative advocacy program convenes in the Rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol building on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 10am and concludes at 2pm. A news conference will be held promptly at 12:30pm. The event is open to everyone and is free of charge.
For more information about the Have A Heart for Advocacy event, contact Christine Beems, 501-745-4153, gozarks@gmail.com or MiChelle Moore, 501-580-4857, simplyseachelle@yahoo.com
