The Community

7 Pillars Community Project

For thousands of years, indigenous communities lived peacefully without the need for police, jails, lawyers, or any elements of the criminal justice system as we know it today. If someone committed a crime, they were held accountable to whoever was harmed, as well as the entire community. How were they able to accomplish what is considered impossible today?

From birth, the 7 sacred teachings have been ingrained in every aspect of life, by indigenous tribes for millennia. These sacred teachings go by many names across the globe but principles remain the same. The 7 Sacred Teaching are the basis for all of our organizing, programs, and community partnerships as we work to decolonize and ultimately abolish the prison industrial complex.

For each of the 7 Pillars we are creating partnership programs with other organizations. By joining forces with other grassroots organizers, we are building a stronger community foundation to help reduce the risk of incarceration, support people during incarceration, & provide support for returning citizens.

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The Community

The Pillars

Sabe - Honesty

Honesty Mental Health & Trauma Recovery

The symbol of honesty is the Sabe (Sasquatch) because it stands closer to the creator than humans. Sabe reminds us that remaining true to ourselves and accepting who we are, guides us in being honest. The elders say that when you are honest and have nothing to hide or be ashamed of, your spirit is the size of the Sabe. Be impeccable with your words. When you say something against yourself or others, it affects your spirit, not allowing it to grow strong. To have a good spirit we must be honest with ourselves and others. Your words are a representation of your actions and intentions. To be truly honest is to keep promises made to others and oneself. Do not speak against yourself or others. Think before you speak. Let your words pass through these ideas: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it important? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Use the power of your words to build, create, love, and uplift. Living your life honestly keeps things simple and peaceful.

Programs & Partners

Post Incarceration Therapy

*This project is in development. Comprehensive treatment program for treating Post Incarceration Syndrome (PICS) including peer support and one on one support.

All 1 Family

All-1- FAMily, Inc. provides mental and/or behavioral health services to lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, gender non-conforming and queer individuals.

*Trauma to Prison Project:

*This project is still in development. 100% of our clients experienced abuse prior to incarceration. This research project will illuminate the link between trauma and the incarcerated community.

Mirror Memoirs

Mirror Memoirs is an oral history project centering the narratives, healing and leadership of LGBTQ survivors of color in the movement to end child sexual abuse.

Beaver - Wisdom

Sustainable Living

The beaver is a symbol of wisdom in the creation of a sustainable tribe. The beaver is creative, a problem-solver, and a hard worker that does not quit until the job is complete. Beavers do not give up on their plans or dreams. Wisdom is the use of knowledge to impact our environment and create a more sustainable world. Wisdom is gained through experience on our journey through life. Every person has earned wisdom through their lived experiences, and those experiences bring a valuable perspective to the community. The building of a community relies on gifts given to each member. If the knowledge we have is incomplete, our impact will suffer. Never make assumptions. Wisdom is accepting responsibility and accountability, listening to advice, and understanding instruction. Making assumptions means that we are disregarding truth for ease or ego. Ask questions, seek the truth, and communicate as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstanding.

Education Advancement Program

FACT: People who continue education after incarceration are far less likely to return to prison. Prior to release, we will evaluate the educational needs of our client and work with them to build a plan to complete or continue their education.

Vocational & Job Training

This program is in development.

Reentry Financial Literacy

FACT: Basic understanding of how to manage personal finances and efficiently allocate earnings are crucial components of ensuring offenders do not turn back to crime in desperation. Each returning citizen will receive a course in personal finance, as well as a "Budget Box" with all the essentials necessary for creating financial stability.

Never Too Late TO Dream Foundation

NTLTD"s purpose is to empower disadvantaged students by providing scholarships, on the job training, and job placement assistance. We will accomplish this through fundraising, grants, and regional as well as international social enterprises.

Bear - Courage

Harm Reduction & Sex Workers Rights

The symbol of courage is the bear. We seek the strength and courage to face our greatest enemy, our self. Whether it's a challenge or overcoming your fears, keeping your faith in a difficult time is one of the most courageous acts you can commit to. When things are difficult, it's okay to be fearful and make mistakes, that's how we learn courage. Sometimes courage is just getting out of bed in the morning. It is doing the right thing in a difficult situation, standing up for someone who's being bullied. Courage does not always mean never being fearless. Being courageous is also choosing not to be reckless or facing up to our duties and responsibilities. Courage is a daily practice. Just a bear hibernates during the winter and rises each spring, we too need rest and renewal. The bear shows us how to live a balanced life where there is a time to be playful, a time to rest, and a time to be assertive and courageous.

Sex Workers Rights

This project is in development.

Coming Soon

Harm Reduction Support

This project is in development.

Coming Soon

Wolf - Humility

Housing Support

The wolf is the symbol of humility in the natural world. The wolf lives in the pack of others where each animal has a role to play within that pack. Some may be hunters, others are protectors, and some are nurturers. Each animal is not more important than the others as each must perform the role that is best for the survival and benefit of the pack. The wolf that is hunting will take the food to eat with the pack before he even takes a bite of the food. Humility is recognizing that no one knows everything, we are always learning. Humility is the ability to see your mistakes or flaws, learn from them, and accept them. To be humble is to understand that you must first accept that all beings are easy to think of; your family, your fellow human beings, or your community before you think of yourself. Humility is about gratitude and good sportsmanship, and it is something to apply to every part of your life. Humility displays our willingness to learn and become better. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.

Coming Soon

This project is in development.

Coming Soon

This project is in development.

Partnership Available

Eagle - Love

Disability Support

The eagle is a symbol of love. Love is the act of doing your best for yourself and others. This includes doing your best for YOURSELF and your health. Know your limits concerning your body and the life around you. Your best will change from day to day, but when you have done your best, there is no place for self-doubt. You can express love to your family, friends, and community through your actions and words. Love is also a mix of feelings and actions that show a deep liking for someone or something. Deep feelings can be for family and friends, not just romantic partners. Love yourself when you feel like no one cares, there is always someone that does. Love the people and the creatures of the world. We are never too busy to be kind, caring, and patient even when it's hard to love what you do and do what you love. Don't get lost in the difficult times because there's always something to love and feel good about. Love does not want what belongs to others and it does not break, become angry, or keep track of what others have done wrong. Love is unconditional and infinite. Love is the intangible embrace of life.

Pen Pal Program

Individual Support

Learning Disabilities & Incarceration

This research project explores the link between undiagnosed learning disabilities and justice involvement among disenfranchised communities.

Partnership Available

Coming Soon This project is in development.

Turtle - Truth

Legal & Incarceration Support

The symbol for truth is the turtle. Truth is understanding the importance of all the sacred teachings. Changing yourself for others only encourages them to remain closed-minded. The turtle also teaches us patience, it is one of the slowest moving creatures on earth and yet it makes its way there and to its destination no matter how long it takes. Grandmother turtle carries the teachings on her back. The thirteen squares represent the thirteen full moons of the year. The surrounding 28 squares of the shell represent the 28 days of each lunar month. This represented one cycle of the earth, around the Sun, and the number of days of the cycle of the moon. Truth is understanding the importance of all the sacred teachings and practicing the teachings as a way of life. Be true to yourself and honor your gifts. Living in truth is more than not telling lies. Living in truth is living in harmony with yourself. Understand it, speak it, live by it. Live your truth and be a role model for others. Living in the truth is living with the 7 teachings.

Justice Support Project

The Justice Support Project‘s initiatives provide assistance to reduce sentences and file for clemency and parole. We help our clients reduce restitution to lessen financial burden when they are released. We also work to seal records and expunge cases.

Justice Support Project

The Justice Support Project works to support and advise the LGBTIAQ+ incarcerated for long periods (life without parole), and unjust or often racist disparate sentences. Many of the abused who are also serving long sentences.

Coming Soon

This project is in development.

Who Speaks For Me?

We are an advocacy and activist driven prison abolition organization, creating alternatives to incarceration and empowering justice involved and Returning Citizens, who are women, girls and/or lgbtq, to use their experience to be a part of creating a Trauma Informed Justice System to interrupt and dismantle the *Trauma-to-Prison Pipeline™.

Buffalo - Respect

Dignity In Passing

The buffalo is the symbol of respect. The buffalo, the land, and his resources are given absolute respect, for it is the condition of being honored. Respect the earth and honor the land that you stand on, for it is where you come from and a part of you. " Mitakuye Oyasin" is Lakota for “All are related”. It is the idea that all living things are connected and cannot thrive without each other. Respect is a basic human right that must be given to all. Respect is essential for us to feel safe so we can express ourselves without fear of being judged and humiliated or discriminated against. Listening to your elders, mentors, and loved ones is a sign of respect. Being offended by another's words or actions does not make you right. When you disagree, listen to others, be patient, speak politely, and be willing to compromise. Be sure to stand up for yourself when others disrespect you. Being respectful of others, being respected, and respecting ourselves increases our self-esteem, mental health, and well-being.

Your Legacy : Advanced Directive Project

Angel Action Atlanta

We are the silent barrier of love and compassion between those who chose to protest the differences that make us who we are. We quietly spread our wings between those who are grieving or celebrating our uniqueness to shelter them from the hate of those who choose not to accept us.

Your Legacy: Memorial Project

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TDOR Atlanta

Our Supporters

Survived & Punished (S&P) is a national coalition that includes survivors, organizers, victim advocates, legal advocates and attorneys, policy experts, scholars, and currently and formerly incarcerated people. S&P organizes to de-criminalize efforts to survive domestic and sexual violence, support and free criminalized survivors, and abolish gender violence, policing, prisons, and deportations.

Survived & Punished

#IllGoWithYou allies go into bathrooms and other spaces with people who may be afraid or concerned about their safety. An #IllGoWithYou ally offers support, buffering, and nonviolent assistance when asked.

I'll Go With You

SONG is a home for LGBTQ liberation across all lines of race, class, abilities, age, culture, gender, and sexuality in the South. We build, sustain, and connect a southern regional base of LBGTQ people in order to transform the region through strategic projects and campaigns developed in response to the current conditions in our communities. SONG builds this movement through leadership development, intersectional analysis, and organizing.

SONG

Forward Together transforms culture and policy to work for all of us nationwide. Since our founding in 1989, we have continually fought to dismantle the ways our society marginalizes us based on race, sexuality, and gender. Today, we build courage and foster connection among our multi-racial community of changemakers to secure the rights, recognition and resources all families need to thrive.

Forward Together