By Kenia Miranda Verdugo
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the progress made towards a more equitable, data-driven criminal justice system. This year, the Michelson 20MM Foundation made remarkable progress. We created and expanded pathways to educational attainment, employment, and economic opportunities. Throughout this, we remained committed to fairness, innovation, and opportunity. Our bold steps implemented smart justice solutions that have impacted communities, policymakers, and the broader justice reform movement.
Celebrating Two Cycles of Spark Grantees
This calendar year featured two Smart Justice Spark Grants cycles.
The 2023 Spark Grantees—Homeboy Industries, Cal State LA, and UCR LIFTED—launched several impactful projects.
- –Homeboy Industries hosted an educational summit, creating a community of learning. During the summit, they shared their proven structured framework for the Pathways to College model. This framework allowed attending organizations to replicate and tailor the program for their communities.
- –Project Rebound at California State University, Los Angeles, expanded the Career Equity Pathways project into the California Institute for Women (CIW). The program provides face-to-face leadership and career training to currently and formerly incarcerated students.
- –The University of California Riverside (UCR) built upon the success of UC Irvine’s LIFTED program by offering their own Bachelor of Arts (BA) pathway. They will create materials for any California State University (CSU) or UC campus that would like to provide a BA pathway in prison. A series of animated videos will support the transfer and admission process. These videos will be available online and in the education room at California state prisons for students to check out.
We recently concluded the 2024 Spark Grant cycle and were pleased to welcome the 2024 Spark Grantees: the Healing & Justice Center, Impact Justice, Indigenous Justice, and Torero Urban Scholar’s Transfer Coalition Initiative. This cycle will fund several important projects that:
- -Support mothers reentering society. This year-long pilot program will offer compassionate parenting strategies, support groups, and emotional wellness resources to help mothers strengthen their bonds with their children.
- -Work with judges, higher education institutions, and detention facilities in 10 counties, helping youth access educational opportunities while navigating the juvenile justice system.
- -Serve 14 tribes and reduce multi-generational recidivism. This will be done by providing culturally specific services and training Indigenous leaders to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.
- -Support youth transitioning from juvenile incarceration to college. This will create a unified system for reentry education in San Diego, connecting higher education institutions, correctional facilities, and community services.
Forming Career Pathways, Investing in Communities, and Recognizing the Success of Incarcerated Students
Los Angeles County Training Center Fire Camp’s first cohort of justice-impacted firefighters from FFRP
In March, we attended our partner, the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program’s (FFRP’s) ribbon cutting. This new program prepares system-impacted individuals, including transitional youth, for careers in the fire service throughout LA County.
In April, we attended a funders’ convening in Fresno. There, we learned about the needs and scarce resources in the Central Valley. This region is often overlooked and has had a history of a prison ecosystem, which ultimately allowed for tough-on-crime policies and high policing throughout the region.
UCI LIFTED students celebrate graduation
Our partner, UCI LIFTED, celebrated their first graduation, graduating 23 incarcerated students. They also created a peer mentorship program through which Underground Scholars students at UC Irvine mentor the UCI LIFTED students. This program has had a significant impact. LIFTED students see themselves beyond the carceral institutions as students who belong on campus and have a network of empathetic mentors.
Continuing a Culture of Learning and Best Practices
This year, we expanded on the Pathways From Prison to College In Action series. We highlighted organizations across the state doing great work aligned with California’s Best Practices: Pathways From Prison to College. We also hosted webinars that highlighted learnings from Homeboy Industries, learnings from UC Bachelor programs, organizations in the Central Valley, and organizations that support incarcerated women.
Formerly incarcerated panelists join us to share resources for incarcerated women
Our sister foundation, the Michelson Center for Public Policy, celebrated a legislative win this year. They joined the Gate Money Coalition, including Root & Rebound, Initiate Justice, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, and All of Us or None. The coalition advocated for shifting clothing and transportation costs onto CDCR, allowing incarcerated individuals to keep their entire gate money amount. Senator Becker championed this budget effort, we are grateful for his leadership as this effort was successful in securing $1.8 million for clothing and transportation costs.
None of the success would be possible without our partners, grantees, and advocates. Thank you to the hundreds of individuals who joined our fight for a smarter, fairer, and more just justice system. Together, we’ve shown that working with data, compassion, and evidence-based policies leads to transformative changes.
As we close 2024, we feel gratitude and optimism towards the work ahead. The momentum is building, and we are just getting started.
Together, we will continue pushing for justice that serves everyone.
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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