10 Dec Thank You For Making Stories of Second Chances a Success!

Each year, during Stories of Second Chances, we gather with the Restore Justice community to share stories about second chances and inequities of the criminal legal system, and to remind ourselves that we are not in this fight alone. “We need to change the narrative about what a prisoner is. I want people to know the worth that’s behind these cells,” Brian Harrington explains.

Typically a lunch, we hope this year’s virtual show still inspires, motivates, and engages. We are ready for another year in the movement to reform draconian sentencing laws, rid our state of cruel prison conditions, and prevent any further mistreatment of families. We will keep working to eliminate all juvenile life without parole sentences. We will keep advancing measures to support families and keep loved ones together. We will keep demanding more testing, transparency, and early releases for people incarcerated during this pandemic. 

If you missed the show, don’t worry. You can watch it here.

We want to thank each and every person who participates in Stories of Second Chances, everyone who bids on auction items and donates, and all those who help make our first virtual fundraiser a success. 

Thank you Hoopla Communications and Sweet Baby Media, who helped us take our message and turn it into a “real” event online.

Thank you to the After Dark Combo for selecting and recording music for our show: 

• Piano – Abigail Persell
• Guitar – Nathan Andalman
• Trumpet – Asher Baron
• Trombone – Katherine Koeppen
• Saxophone – Joanie Daye
• Bass – Soren Dorr
• Drums – Eva Duvall

We also extend a special thank you to Matthew Bufis and the Evanston Township High School Jazz Program.

We’d also like to give special thanks to our panelists. These panelists, led by Restore Justice Program Manager Wendell Robinson and Outreach Director Julie Anderson, talked about the ways the criminal legal system tore them and their families apart, but also, about the ways they found hope. Most of the men received juvenile life without parole sentences; the law condemned them to die in prison before they could even vote. Yet, they never started believing, and, alongside advocates and lawyers, they never stopped working. Because of that work and the Supreme Court’s Miller decision, these men are all home. Four of the moms on the panel had sons benefit from Miller. Panelist Cynthia Morfin said she danced alone in her kitchen after hearing the news. “What a joy, what a joy, what a joy,” Olivia Cal declared.

Panelists:

Adolfo Davis

Brian Harrington*

Steven Hawthorne

Nelson Morris

Wendell Robinson

*Brian also performed a resounding spoken word piece, “Untold Grave Conditions.” Thank you, Brian, for your resonant and moving performance. 

Julie Anderson

Olivia Cal 

Erin Hammond

Cynthia Morfin

Evelyn Wingard

We also want to thank everyone who donated (or donates) to our auction, which is open until noon CST on Friday, December 11. From art created by men who are incarcerated to unique experiences provided by board members, we are honored by your gifts. 

Thank you to our artists: 

Eric Anderson

Brian Boyd 

Chester Brost

Nick Morfin 

Michael Watson 

Kevin Wenger

And to those who donated experiences and other items: 

Chicago White Sox

Julie Anderson

Bill Ayers

Jeanne Bishop

Jobi Cates

Mitch Cobey

Bernardine Dohrn 

Susanne Dumbleton

Lisa Yun Lee

Matt Sopron

Alice Swan

Angel Ysaguirre

We’re also immensely grateful for our Restore Justice Foundation and Restore Justice Illinois Boards of Directors, and our Stories of Second Chances Host Committee. These incredible people made this event happen. In addition to donating, they poured their hearts into generating enthusiasm and inviting their friends, colleagues, and entire networks. 

Restore Justice Foundation Board:

Cathy Aguilar 

Marshan Allen

Jeanne Bishop

Mitch Cobey 

Howard Conant, Jr 

Barbara Flynn Currie 

Bernardine Dohrn 

Susanne Dumbleton 

Kevin Gallagher, Chair

Garien Gatewood 

De Gray 

Tracy Hannan 

Jeff Howard 

Corrie Leech 

Marvin Lindsey 

Shobha Mahadev 

Scott Main 

Cynthia Morfin 

Joseph Rodriguez 

Fred Weatherspoon 

Presita West 

Judy Wise 

Angel Ysaguirre 

Restore Justice Illinois Board:

Cathy Aguilar 

Marshan Allen

Jeanne Bishop 

Howard Conant, Jr 

Bernardine Dohrn 

Kevin Gallagher 

Garien Gatewood, Chair

Mickey Gaynor 

De Gray 

Jeff Howard 

Corrie Leech 

Marvin Lindsey 

Fred Weatherspoon 

Judy Wise 

Angel Ysaguirre 

Abner Mikva (1926-2016)  

Founding Board Member

Stories of Second Chances Host Committee:

Carrie and Rob Andalman

Lucy Ascoli

Marjorie Benton

Liz Cicchelli

Sarah Duncan

Janice Feinberg

Clare Gallagher

Monica George

Carolyn Grisko

Donna Makowski

Susan Matyus-Erlich

Jerry Newton

Tamara OLeary

Jennifer Pope and Rakesh Madhava 

Janice Rodgers

Laura and Bob Watson