We are a PA statewide faith based justice transformation organization building relationships of healing, redemption & reconciliation in families & communities impacted by crime & mass incarceration through Reentry & Advocacy. Casey Foundation to empower faith communities to support returning citizens, crime victims and families and communities affected by crime and mass incarceration. The PA Chapter (originally the Philly Chapter) formed in 2010 and expanded into criminal justice advocacy in 2012. The HCPA Faith Action Network was formed in early 2020 as a direct action movement building arm of HCPA. Healing Communities is a framework for a distinct form of ministry for men and women returning from or at risk of incarceration, their families and the larger community. Healing Communities challenges congregations to become Stations of Hope for those persons affected by the criminal justice system. We train communities of faith to:
*walk with the returning citizens (connect returning citizens to resources that will help set attainable goals)
*help them connect with their faith (provide spiritual support)
*open their hearts to them (foster positive relationships)
*embrace them (extend open and affirming fellowship)
*provide understanding (collaboration with family and friends to rebuild relationships)
*advocate for political change for justice transformation on a local, state, and federal level
We provide support and technical assistance to faith communities by:
*offering seminars in restorative justice, family reintegration and family support
*identifying resources and building networks for capacity building, service delivery and advocacy
*offering opportunities for peer learning from other congregations and expert learning at local, regional and national conferences
*customized programming for local congregations
We also facilitate the HCPA Faith Action Network providing:
*movement building
*faith community organizing
*legislative advocacy
*media & social media campaigns
*turnout
*campaign education
*research
*direct action
Our long term vision of justice reform is one of abolition, justice transformation (as opposed to reform), restorative justice, racial and economic justice and an end to systemic racism and oppression and state sponsored terror as well immigration and LGBTQ+ equity.
