Mission Statement
Out for Justice, Inc. (OFJ) is an organization comprised of individuals who are both directly and indirectly impacted by the criminal legal system advocating for the reform of policies and practices that adversely affect successful reintegration into society.
About
Out for Justice, Inc. (OFJ) is a grassroots organization that received our official nonprofit status in 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded by a group of formerly incarcerated individuals who were ready and willing to work but repeatedly denied employment due to their criminal record. With the support of justice-impacted individuals, their friends, and their family members, OFJ strives to bring about policy reform that ends employment barriers and perpetual punishment that adversely affects citizens impacted by the criminal legal system.
We believe that individuals impacted by the criminal legal system should be at the forefront of policy reform efforts that directly affect us, our families, and communities. Targeting unjust, counterproductive policies reduces the collateral consequences associated with a criminal record, provides a fiscally responsible method for reducing recidivism, and increases the health and safety of our communities.
Our Three E's
Out for Justice, Inc. accomplishes our mission through the three E’s:
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ENGAGE formerly incarcerated individuals, families and friends through grassroots outreach and community events.
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EDUCATE​ our member base and communities on the policies and practices impacting our communities and navigating the legislative process for reform.
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EMPOWER​ those impacted by the criminal legal system to utilize their voices and experiences to enact tangible change.
We are the "policy arm" for the reentry community.
What We Do
BUILDING POWER FOR CHANGE
Out For Justice fosters leadership through coaching formerly incarcerated and directly impacted individuals, our members, to become powerful advocates for change through the legislative process and in their lives and community.
We meet people where they are and invest in them. Centering the leadership, lived experience, and voices of the directly impacted are central to OFJ’s mission, and as a returning citizen-led and member-led Maryland grassroots organization, we seek to address and combat systemic barriers through community programming and advocacy.
BUILDING POWER FOR CHANGE
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1) ENGAGE formerly incarcerated individuals, families and friends through grassroots outreach and community events;
2) EDUCATE our member base and communities on the policies and practices impacting our communities and navigating the legislative process for reform;
3) EMPOWER those impacted by the criminal justice system to utilize their voices and experiences to enact tangible change.
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AMPLIFYING
the perspectives of individuals impacted by the legal system
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OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES
for individual personal and professional development through training, hiring and other activities
Although Out for Justice is not a direct service organization, we acknowledge that it often takes time for policy reform and legislation to manifest into tangible changes for returning citizens. Because of this, we provide our own programs and resources to ensure our members’ successful reintegration into society.
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ADVOCATING
for policies that respond to these perspectives
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BUILDING INDIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE POWER
so that individuals and communities can advocate for their needs and pursue their goals