Safer Transitions is a weekly live radio show produced by Safer Foundation. Season one aired on Saturdays, at 2PM, on WVON AM 1690 Chicago, from March to May in 2018. During the show, we discuss issues relating to reentry and social justice; as well as explore solutions and share opportunities. Season one hosts are our President/CEO Victor Dickson and AVP Anthony Lowery who shared the studio with several special guests. Enjoy the full season below.
The Reentry Landscape – S1E1
Topic: 4.1 million (40%) of the 9 Million People in Illinois have an arrest or conviction record, many of whom return to high poverty, high crime and high unemployment communities. Many are unemployed or under employed – locked out of the American dream and locked into a perpetual state of despair.
For this episode, our guests include Rev. Brian Sauder, President and Executive Director, of Faith in Place and Shammrie Brown, Community Relations Manager, New Life Covenant Church Southeast.
Successful Reentry – S1E2
Topic: In this episode, we discuss the hurdles to and formula for successful reentry from Safer Foundation’s POV and our experience. This discussion is to help individuals who are reentering (that’s just released from prison, probation or parole) and the people who support them see the big picture.
Our guests include Marlon Chamberlain (former FORCE organizer/CRS, Community Project Manager/Heartland Alliance) – READI Chicago, Charles Perry, Director of Community Organizing, Westside Health Authority, and La’Shawn Littrice, A young mother who was convicted of a federal offense at the time she was an established business owner.
Workforce Development – S1E3
Topic: A key part of being gainfully employed is being ready to work. That leads us to today’s topic… Workforce Development! Specifically, creating pathways for people with records to join professions in high-growth industries.
Our guests include Arthur Bishop, Chief Program Officer at Safer Foundation, Adam Schauer Program Manager for Safer Foundation’s Advancing Careers and Employment, and Reginald Allen, Talent Acquisition Consultant, Mission-Based Programs, at Presence Health
Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise – S1E4
Topic: The Benefits of Entrepreneurship and the programs and opportunities Safer Foundation’s offers for it. We also cover ‘What is Social Enterprise?’ and give information on how Safer Foundation offers programs and help for those reentering society.
Our guests include Asante Yugen the Manager of Safer’s Aspire Entrepreneurship Program, Dr. C. Adam Callery, the Facilitator for Goldman Sach 10K Small Business Program & SBA’s small business development program and he also teaches at Harold Washington College, Mark Yates, the Vice President Safer Social Enterprises.
Policy & Advocacy – S1E5
Topic: Policy & Advocacy: Work for People with Arrest & Conviction Records – Today we will be discussing what’s happening to positively impact policies and legislation to eliminate barriers for people with criminal records and create new opportunities for them in employment, housing, and other areas.
Our guest include Sodiqa Williams, the VP External Affairs & General Counsel at Safer Foundation, oversees Safer’s policy and advocacy initiatives, Anthony Lowery, VP of Safer’s community housing program former policy and advocacy director, Cynthia Cornelius – Director of Legal Programs at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and LeShawn Ford, Illinois State Representative of the 8th Legislative District sponsor.
The Discriminatory Approach Towards Opioid Addiction – S1E6
Topic: Is there an opioid problem in the city? If so, then is opioid funding reaching the city? opioids is a public health issue vs criminal issue (like the crack epidemic) and in this episode, we discuss the high-level analysis of the treatment, legislative, social landscape of opioid addiction in urban areas versus rural areas.
Our guests include Sherie Arriazola, Senior Director of Health Policy & Practice Management at Safer Foundation, Kathie Kane-Willis, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Chicago Urban League, and Honorable Charles P. Burns, Circuit Judge at Circuit Court of Cook County.
In our Season finale, We discuss The future of reentry and Safer’s upstream efforts to help individuals navigate the legal system. We cover things we will monitor & advocate on behalf of the population we serve and what you can expect from Safer Foundation in the years to come.
Our guests include Era Laudermilk, Deputy of Policy & Strategic Planning at Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, Sharyln Grace, Staff Attorney and Senior Policy Analyst at Chicago Appleseed, and Kimberly Mills, J.D., LL.M., Supervising Attorney of Criminal Records at CGLA.