Our speaker Kate Jenkins, M.A., Executive Director of Friends Outside In Sonoma County tells us about this innovative non-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of crime, violence and delinquency.
She tells us specifics of various programs at Friends Outside, how they work, and ways we can help with their good work.

FRIENDS OUTSIDE embraces an underlying belief that every human being has value and the potential to add value to his or her family and community. A portion of their mission reads: “To reduce cycles of violence, crime and incarceration by empowering and assisting offenders to make choices for successful re-entry into their families’ lives and the community…”

FRIENDS OUTSIDE provides services and programs for Sonoma County jail inmates and their family members in order to improve their circumstances and strengthen their family relationships. Research has shown that this kind of support makes it less likely that offenders will commit new crimes after release.

Since their founding in 1982 by Virginia Heck, the Sonoma County FRIENDS OUTSIDE organization has supported men and women, impacted by their or someone else’s incarceration, to make choices for responsible living.

“No matter how much we may think we are, none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes and we all have to be willing to give each other a second chance.” – Virginia Heck