Loving You Into Freedom tackles the fallout of mass incarceration, addressing the lack of support for justice-impacted families. Root causes include systemic inequities and the punitive focus of the justice system, which fails to accommodate the emotional and material needs of inmates’ families. Statistically, 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 2 Black women have a family member in prison, highlighting the crisis's racial and gendered dimensions. The problem persists due to siloed support systems, insufficient policy emphasis on post-incarceration family reunification, and the stigma against those associated with the justice system. LYIF’s response is informed by these factors, underscoring the necessity for holistic and continuous support mechanisms.

 

At Loving You Into Freedom, our deep-rooted connection to the community we serve informs every decision. Born from personal adversity when our co-founders faced wrongful conviction, we've transformed our pain into a collective force for systemic change. Our strategies and decisions are crafted with direct input from those affected by incarceration. We host strategy sessions with justice-impacted families and have an advisory board that includes returning citizens, ensuring our actions resonate with the community's needs. Regular feedback through workshops and surveys helps refine our services, like the Financial Trauma course and Countdown to Freedom program, aligning with our commitment to a society that supports reintegration and unity.