Nation Outside

05/21/2026

🚨 TONIGHT in Pontiac! 🚨

Nation Outside is hosting a Chapter Meeting this evening, and we want to hear directly from the community. 💬💚

This is a space for real conversations about:
✔️ Community concerns
✔️ Needed resources
✔️ Policy change ideas
✔️ What’s working
✔️ Solutions and advocacy

If you’ve been impacted by the justice system, support someone who has, or care about strengthening our communities — pull up. Your voice matters here.

🗓 TONIGHT — Thursday, May 21
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 99 Wayne St, Pontiac, MI 48342

🍽 Food & resources will be provided.

Come connect with people who care about making change happen. ✨

05/21/2026

Detroit — we want to hear from YOU. 🗣️✨

Join Nation Outside for our upcoming Chapter Meeting on Thursday, May 28 from 6:00–7:30 PM.

This is a space to talk openly about:
✔️ Community concerns
✔️ Needed resources
✔️ Policy changes
✔️ Solutions
✔️ What’s going right in our communities

Whether you’re directly impacted, supporting someone returning home, or simply want to help create change — your voice matters.

📍 7752 W Vernor, Detroit, MI 48209
🍽 Food & resources will be provided

Come connect. Come build. Come be heard. 💚

05/16/2026

Today, Nation Outside is proud to be in attendance at the Governor Candidate Forum hosted by End Gun Violence Michigan, focused on building safe communities and protecting a strong democracy.

We are honored to hear from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson as they share their visions for the future of Michigan and discuss the importance of public safety, civic engagement, and community-centered leadership.

At Nation Outside, we know that true public safety comes from investing in people, expanding opportunities, addressing trauma, and ensuring directly impacted communities have a voice in shaping policy. Conversations like these are critical as we continue advocating for solutions rooted in healing, accountability, and equity.

We look forward to engaging with leaders and community members committed to creating a Michigan where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

05/10/2026

🌱✨ We are incredibly proud to celebrate one of our own — a powerful leader, dedicated member, and true role model within the Nation Outside family.

After spending 34 years incarcerated, she has transformed her journey into a mission of hope, healing, and advocacy for others returning home. Her strength, resilience, and commitment to uplifting her community embody everything Nation Outside stands for: redemption, restoration, and the belief that people deserve second chances.

Stories like hers remind us why peer-led support matters. When people with lived experience are given opportunities to lead, they create pathways for others to heal, grow, and thrive.

We are honored to walk beside her on this journey and grateful for the light she continues to shine for so many others. 💛

Please join us in celebrating her courage and leadership.

🔗 https://l.mlive.com/bxc0lz
LaWanda Hollister spent 34 years in prison because she thought she had no other options at the time. She now advocates for criminal justice reform.

05/08/2026

Today, Nation Outside is proud to support the Kalamazoo Expungement Fair!

Events like these help create meaningful pathways forward for Michigan residents seeking relief from barriers connected to past convictions.

Expungement can impact access to employment, housing, education, and long-term stability for individuals and families across our community.

We are grateful to Safe & Just Michigan and all partnering organizations for their leadership, collaboration, and continued commitment to restoration, opportunity, and second chances.

📍 Douglass Community Association
⏰ Noon–4 PM today

05/08/2026

Another successful Change of Status cohort in the books. 🎓💙

Nation Outside is honored to partner with Urban Alliance and support this impactful work inside the county jail before release day ever arrives.

A special thank you to Yafinceio Harris for creating Change of Status and building a program rooted in accountability, restoration, and opportunity, as well as Michael Monroe for continuing to pour into the lives of returning citizens through mentorship and leadership.

Because of partnerships like these, we are able to help provide encouragement, resources, and hope to individuals preparing to transition back into the community.

Congratulations to this cohort — we’re proud of every step forward. ✨️

05/08/2026

Last night, we had the honor of welcoming Arun Tandon to speak with our community. What he shared went far beyond pharmacy, business, or even success. He shared hope. ✨️

Arun spoke openly about perseverance, overcoming barriers, and what it feels like to be judged for things outside of your control. Yet despite every obstacle placed in front of him, he continued to move forward with purpose, compassion, and heart. His story was a powerful reminder that where you start does not have to define where you end up. 💙

What stood out most was the way he and his family-centered team choose to serve people — leading with dignity, kindness, and genuine care for the community around them. In reentry work, those things matter deeply.

We are incredibly grateful for his time, his honesty, and the encouragement he poured into everyone in the room. Honored to have had him with us. 🙏

✨

05/06/2026

This month, we invite you to attend our Oakland County chapter meeting.

📆 Thursday, May 21st
⏰ 6:00-7:30
📍 99 Wayne St, Pontiac, MI 48342

☎️ Contact us at 313-254-2483
📧 www.nationoutside.org
🖤

05/04/2026

This past Thursday, Nation Outside hosted another Civic Engagement Education Session 🙌🏾

We focused on local boards and commissions—what they do, how to find them, and how community members can apply to serve. Too often, these spaces feel out of reach, but they are meant for people directly impacted and invested in their communities.

We were honored to welcome the Chair of the Housing Commission ✨ who shared valuable insight on the role of the board and the current needs within housing.
These conversations help break down barriers and create clearer pathways to leadership and influence.

Civic engagement is more than voting—it’s about showing up, learning the system, and stepping into spaces where decisions are made.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we encourage you to stay connected with us for future sessions.

Join us May 14th 6pm for our next session!

05/04/2026

Getting Back Up Again - We are here to help !
On May 7th, Arun Tandon, pharmacist and owner of Advanced Health Pharmacy, will be speaking about hope, second chances, and moving forward in life.
Arun believes that every human being can fall, and everyone makes mistakes—but what matters most is getting back up and trying again. As he says, “It’s not about how many times you fall. It’s about getting back up and giving life another try.”

Through his own journey and work in the community, Arun will share a message of strength, dignity, and respect for every person. At Advanced Health Pharmacy, he and his team are committed to helping people live healthier, better lives, with care that is personal and kind.

Join us for a talk that reminds us all: no matter where you are today, you can always take the next step forward.