Our Growing Broad-Based Coalition:

Why do we need a "coalition"?

A coalition is "the union of diverse things into one ... group; the growing together of parts" for a common purpose, according to Princeton University¹.

And so the Members of the TRP Coalition have come together to work for passage of our Certificate of Rehabilitation (COR) legislation and, thereby, level the playing field for federal ex-offenders who now, despite years of civility and good works are yet denied employment, housing, educational opportunities and entry into the professions.  Virtually no State imposes such horrific burdens upon their formerly condemned.  In fact, Congressman Rangel stated on the Floor of Congress that the federal penal system is so harsh it literally drives good people back to prison.

Come, review the stellar Members of our Coalition, and strive to join them and commit yourself to building a better tomorrow for thousands upon thousands of Americans - all good people and all deserving of your time.

Below are the members of the coalition who have come together to work for the passage of the Second Chance Act of 2007:

The Aleph Institute:  Serving society for nearly a quarter of a century, the Aleph Institute is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3), publicly-supported charitable institution founded by Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar under the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, O.B.M. The Aleph Institute organizes and supervises rabbinical visitations to hundreds of state and federal prisons and jails across the United States and fields hundreds of inquiries from chaplains and inmates around the country with respect to Jewish laws and holiday practices.                                                                                          LINK TO ALEPH

Justice Fellowship: Justice Fellowship is a non-profit on-line community of Christians working to reform the criminal justice system to reflect biblically based principles of restorative justice for America's criminal justice system. Founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Justice Fellowship works to have a presence in local, state and federal jurisdictions.  "Justice Fellowship promotes criminal justice reforms that reflect a notion of justice and works hand-in-hand with other organizations throughout the United States.  We will work hard to see the Second Chance Act passed in 2007," President Patrick J. Nolan stated.                                                                 LINK TO JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP

Criminon International, Inc.:  Criminon (which means “no crime”) is an international non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to addressing the causes of criminality and restoring the criminal’s self-respect through effective drug detoxification, education and common sense programs. By making them responsible for their actions, people under the Criminal Justice system can become ethical and productive citizens.  Criminon operates a network of groups in 35 countries across the globe, delivering Criminon workshops, courses and programs in jails, prisons, parole and probation offices, courthouses and re-entry facilities, as well as providing training for correctional officers and program personnel.                                                                            LINK TO CRIMINON, INC.

Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition:  Formed in 1999, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) is a statewide network of more than one hundred organizations and faith communities and over one thousand individual members who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in our state.  Testifying to the strength of their goals and the unity of their members, in July 2003 CCJRC incorporated as an independent non-profit organization bringing into one the disparate prior groups.

Offender Aid & Restoration:  OAR, a Virginia community-based restorative justice organization, blends compassion and accountability to assist offenders in leading productive and responsible lives, to the benefit of all.   The OAR movement began in 1968 when a group of concerned Citizens led by Jay Worrall Jr. responded to a prison riot in Richmond, Virginia.  This nationally recognized model program was incorporated as OAR/USA in 1973 and currently has affiliated but autonomous offices in four states.                                                                                             LINK TO OAR

_______________
¹ http://www.wordreference.com/definition/coalition