 CALEB’s ongoing commitment to building community power is not an effort that is fought alone, but rather alongside sister organizations such as NOAH in Nashville and MICAH in Memphis. These groups work in their respective communities to advocate in fields such as education, economic equity, affordable housing, and criminal justice. Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) is an "anti-racist faith-based coalition that is multiracial, multi-generational, and interfaith comprised of congregations, community organizations, and labor unions that work to amplify the power of ordinary people.” NOAH does not endorse political candidates, but rather gets them to endorse the organization’s issue agenda and pledge to work alongside NOAH if they are elected. In NOAH’s annual meeting that took place on October 17, the organization hosted a meeting that included the likes of MNPS Board Chair Christiane Buggs, Mayor John Cooper and Councilperson Sandra Sepulveda making commitments that will, “Help guide NOAH’s plans as we organize people and money around these issues.” NOAH made its own commitments as well, surveying the public on the upcoming 2022 elections of General Sessions and Criminal Court Judges who make decisions on bail, probation, and restorative practices. NOAH’s concerns around the criminal justice system, regarding mass incarceration and a judge’s role in determining the outcomes for arrested individuals, reflects the importance of electing those who will support fairness and equity in criminal justice. The Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) has also been making strides in criminal justice as well. Comprised of more than 70 community and faith-based organizations, the coalition aims to fit against inequity and injustices in the Memphis area. In their annual public meeting, MICAH was joined by Police Chief Cerelyn Davis and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. MICAH met with two goals in mind: Firstly, to get a commitment from Memphis and Shelby County police to support civilian-led intervention for behavioral and mental health incidents to free up law enforcement for policing in the community. Secondly, MICAH asked to meet quarterly on the prior mentioned mental/behavioral health crises. While Sheriff Bonner was not in attendance, he did agree to both of the coalition’s requests. MICAH also made requests to reduce mass incarceration, including limiting pretrial detention via money bail. The group asked Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich to create money bail policy within her office that will prioritize release of those who are not a danger to the community or a flight risk, using the least restrictive means of release. In addition to the steps mentioned above, MICAH also continues to push for a Conviction Review Unit, as District Attorney Weirich maintains her stance that it is unneeded because her "whole office" is a conviction review unit. Conviction Review Units have been implemented in 45 jurisdictions across the country, and have had major benefits, including the CRU implemented in Davidson County in 2016. MICAH, NOAH and CALEB continue to work collaboratively and with great momentum to achieve the aims listed above and much more making strides for equity in education, criminal justice, mass incarceration and beyond.
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Expanding Justice; New Initiatives in Hamilton CountyCALEB welcomes Project Return Thursday, October 28th at 5:00 PM EST to an event which the public is encouraged to attend. The event will play host to an open conversation regarding Project Return’s successful reentry model and how the community can better support and welcome those who were formerly incarcerated back into the community. Project Return, which was founded in 1979 by two Nashville based reverends, Bill Barnes and Don Beisswenger, aims to aid those in reentry with the overwhelming obstacles between leaving prison and returning into the community. They have launched several groundbreaking programs in the field of reentry, such as Project Return Opportunities for Employment (PROe). This program provides those in reentry to develop work experience, while building a reference base and demonstrating reliability on the job. The program provides resources such as transportation, food bags and work supplies as well as other tools to help foster success in the workforce. The program launched in 2013 and has successfully placed 1,477 people in reentry into the workforce. In addition, Project Return also helps those in reentry find housing through their Project Return Opportunities for Housing program (PROh), which has acquired and rehabbed 25 homes since 2017. The program acts as a private rental market system and works with the PROe program to put those in reentry in work restoring houses that are then rented out to those in reentry. Through these programs and their work with other programs, Project Return has been able to put over 80% of those in the program into employment. In addition, recidivism rates for those in the program sits at an astonishing 15% compared to a national average of 50%. In keeping with their core tenants of prison in-reach, workforce development and employment opportunity, Project Return has become a staple of the Nashville community as a beacon of light for those in reentry. CALEB is proud and excited to host the virtual event, which will foster a valuable and constructive dialogue on the obstacles to reentry in the community and how both groups are working to support and aid the people being welcomed back into the community. Where: Virtual Zoom event When: Thursday, Oct. 28th, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vc-morjooE9NmdQSxgAbRiTx217MguQdC After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  
House Criminal Justice / Senate Judiciary Joint Committee to Study Bail Reform
Sept. 13th, 2021 Speakers include:
Judge Lynda Jones, General Sessions Judge
Senator Ferrell Haile, Speaker Pro Tempore Jenna Bottler, Justice Action Network Jasmine Heiss, Vera Institute Willie Santana, Vera Institute David Conner, TN County Services Association Jim Hart, County Technical Assistance Service Jeff Bledsoe, TN Sheriffs Association Tim Fuller, TN Sheriffs Association Mark Davidson, District Attorneys General Conference Russell Johnson, District Attorneys General Conference Maggie Duncan, Association of Chiefs of Police Judge Lynda Jones, General Sessions Judges Conference Judge Andy Brigham, General Sessions & Juvenile Judge Verna Wyatt, TN Voices for Victims
House Criminal Justice / Senate Judiciary Joint Committee to Study Bail Reform
Sept. 14th, 2021 Speakers include:
Judge Chris Craft, Criminal Judge
American Bail Coalition Stephen Owens, Kansas House of Representatives Criminal Justice Reform Commission TN Association of Professional Bail Agents Brandon Ross, Smart Start of TN Justin Hawkins, Talitrix LLC Micah Gravley, Talitrix LLC Matthew Swando, Track Group Cassie Schmitt, Track Group Mindy Huddleston, SCRAM Systems
Senate Judiciary Committee members include:
Mike Bell (R) D9 - Chairman Dawn White (R) D13 - 1st Vice Chairman Paul Rose (R) D32 - 2nd Vice Chairman Todd Gardenhire (R) D10, Sarah Kyle (D) D30, Jon Lundberg (R) D4, Kerry Roberts (R) D25, Katrina Robinson (D) D33, John Stevens (R) D24
House Criminal Justice Committee members include:
Michael G. Curcio (R) D69 - Chairman Jerry Sexton (R) D35 - Vice Chairman Bill Beck (D) D51, Scotty Campbell (R) D3, Vincent Dixie (D) D54, Clay Doggett (R) D70, Andrew Farmer (R) D17, Bruce Griffey (R) D75, G.A. Hardaway (D) D93, David Hawk (R) D5, Dan Howell (R) D22, Bud Hulsey (R) D2, London Lamar (D) D91, William Lamberth (R) D44, Debra Moody (R) D81, Lowell Russell (R) D21, Paul Sherrell (R) D43.
News coverage:
Yue Stella Yu, Nashville Tennessean, "Effective or Burdensome: Tennessee Lawmakers Take On Cash Bail Reform," Sept. 14, 2021
Ian Round, Daily Memphian, "Lawmakers Hear Suggestions to 'Refine' Bail System," Sept. 13, 2021  A time for connection, training, and strategizing for CALEB membership, our general meetings are held the second Thursday of every month from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. At the current time our meetings are virtual.
Next general meeting: Sept. 9th. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtduyhrTkiHdFfOKwrjwz7bMEhnLJGqH6M After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  Education reform takes hard work to produce real change, so we're committed to an action month around school support staffing, funding, and restorative practices. As a launch to this month and in efforts to continue to fight to end the school to prison pipeline, we will be hosting a day of action alongside our sister organizations MICAH (Memphis) and NOAH (Nashville). This is a statewide call to action, bringing together all walks of faith and persons. The Day of Power and Prayer holds large significance for us as an organization, and we are expecting participation and attendance as we can not only ask our state legislators to action, but our members to action to fight for our children and the funding they deserve to have access school nurses, social workers, and counselors in their schools. The state of Tennessee only spends 2.9% of all taxable resources on public education. That’s the lowest rate of any state in the nation, and only 19 percent of districts report meeting the goal of one certified social worker for every 1,500 students. Yet we have a state reserve of 2 billion dollars, and continue to fund the presence of police in our schools. We must show up and act. This event will be a show of solidarity and accountability to our state legislature, because WE HAVE FAILED OUR CHILDREN and we have to step up. The Day of Power and Prayer (DOPP) will take place on Sunday, August 15 from 3-5 pm ET with access to join online. Fill out the Save the Date Form, where we can continue to share information and next steps. PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENDEES FILL OUT FORM. ORGANIZATIONAL ASK: We are asking as per your membership commitment to show up virtually in numbers (5-10 people for in person attendance) to the DOPP, to share this event on your social media/organizations (Flyers, fact sheets, etc, will be attached) and to participate in the day of programming if you so desire. If you need further clarification on the event, or would like to discuss anything further on the DOPP, please feel free to reach out to Angelica Acevedo (angelica@calebcha.org), and we can schedule a phone call/meeting!  Sign up to learn about the price tags placed on the accused and incarcerated in Hamilton County. The Sycamore Institute's presentation on local fees and fines in the criminal justice system is scheduled for Thursday (Aug. 12th) at 3:00 pm EST. Hamilton County Community Bail Fund Manager Dylan Gibbons will join as a panelist for this important conversation. You won't want to miss it!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/financial-security-in-tn-the-role-of-fees-and-fines-in-hamilton-county-tickets-165782904129  CALEB's next general meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 12th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
To attend the meeting virtually, register in advance at the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdOGsrzsvGdAuDMhbk3BLbpx_P86dYS7X After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  CALEB's monthly meeting is the chance for our members to connect, keep up to date about organizational and campaign news, and find out where to plug in!
When: Thursday, July 8th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Where: Virtual Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdOiorzIoH90k-dmD8se3q99ugQOJ2Fzb After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-2vrj0rH9Yp515LaPLEAEpoEgZ3qt2p After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The following is a schedule of our upcoming task force meetings. If you're a task force member but don't have a link to participate, let us know at info@calebcha.org. |
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CALEB is an institutional coalition of faith-based, labor, and community groups working to build power to affect change in Chattanooga, TN. Archives
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