On December 15, Civil Survival hosted its third full-day Workshop for 2018 at Highline College in Kent. Over 30 people attended, including three local elected officials. Our Workshops are designed to fulfill our mission to organize people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to build connections, gain knowledge and increase political participation.
The event was facilitated by Civil Survival board members and Game Changer Leaders Michelle Jenkins and Cory Walster, as well as Executive Director Tarra Simmons. The Workshop provided information and training designed to teach participants about their legal rights surrounding access to housing and employment, Legal Financial Obligations, driver licensing and criminal record vacation. In addition, there were facilitated group discussions about specific legal and economic barriers our participants are experiencing and how these issues can be addressed.
The second portion of the Workshop included training in advocacy and storytelling designed to increase participation in the legislative process. Many people put these skills to use as they shared their stories directly with three local elected officials in order to personalize the need for solutions that can remove barriers to successful reentry. Officials participating in the Workshop included State Representatives from the 33rd District Tina Orwall and Mia Gregerson, as well as King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan.
Civil Survival thanks all who attended and we invite everyone to attend our next Workshop in Tacoma on January 12, 2019, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Lobby Day in Olympia on January 21, 2019. Check our website for details on times and locations.