Community Advocacy Movement

The Community Advocacy Movement (CAM) is a grassroots initiative to empower those affected by the criminal justice system. This program aims to TRANSFORM the traditional approach to criminal justice by actively involving COMMUNITY members in the ADVOCACY process. The ultimate goal of CAM is to address systemic injustices, reduce incarceration rates, and transform the criminal justice system through community-driven advocacy and empowerment. 

Key features of CAM include:

1. Community-led advocacy: CAM empowers those directly impacted by the criminal justice system to become agents of change rather than passive recipients of services.

2. Comprehensive support: The program assists at various stages of the legal process, from bail hearings to sentencing, providing support and advocacy throughout.

3. Partnership with public defenders: CAM works collaboratively with public defenders, enhancing the legal representation available to community members.

4. Family justice hubs: The program establishes support centers in community touchstones such as temples, unions, and neighborhood groups, expanding the reach of advocacy efforts.

5. Social Bios: CAM creates humanizing video and written profiles of community members facing charges, presenting a more complete picture of individuals to the courts.

6. Systemic change focus: While working on individual cases, CAM aims to build a larger movement for accountability and reform within the criminal justice system.

7. Empowerment through knowledge: The program educates community members about their rights and the intricacies of the legal system, enabling more effective self-advocacy.

8. Grassroots organizing: CAM encourages community members to organize and mobilize for change, fostering a sense of collective power and agency.