Ahimsa Collective

THE AHIMSA COLLECTIVE WORKS TO ADDRESS HARM IN WAYS THAT FOSTER WHOLENESS FOR EVERYONE. OUR NORTH STAR GOALS ARE TO REPLACE SYSTEMS OF PUNISHMENT WITH PARADIGMS GROUNDED IN HEALING, RELATIONSHIP, AND LOVE. TO GET THERE, WE ENGAGE WITH DEEP TRAUMA HEALING AND RESTORATIVE APPROACHES WHILE BEING GROUNDED IN ANTI-OPPRESSION. WE WORK IN DEEP COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED AN ACT OF VIOLENCE, SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY HARM. IN ALL OF OUR WORK, WE CENTER AGENCY, LIBERATION, DIGNITY, AND TRANSFORMATION.

SANTA CRUZ PROJECT - ACCESS TO LAND OFFERS PROFOUND LIBERATION FOR HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, FOSTERING FREEDOM, HEALING, AND CONNECTION WITH NATURE AND EACH OTHER. TOGETHER ON THE LAND, PEOPLE SHIFT TOWARD COLLECTIVE, RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATURE, AWAY FROM EXTRACTIVE INDIVIDUALISM-A CENTRAL VALUE AT THE AHIMSA COLLECTIVE. THROUGH SHORT AND LONG-TERM HEALING STAYS, THE CENTER PROVIDES REFUGE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, SURVIVORS, JUSTICE WORKERS, AND QUEER PEOPLE, OFFERING A MUCH-NEEDED SPACE FOR REST, REFLECTION, AND GROWTH, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE ESCAPING HARMFUL CONDITIONS. HEALING IS ESSENTIAL, NOT A LUXURY, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO OFTEN LACK ACCESS TO TIME AND RESOURCES FOR RECOVERY. JUSTICE MOVEMENTS FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTER INTERNAL CONFLICTS THAT HINDER COLLECTIVE PROGRESS, UNDERSCORING THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE AND HEALING IN SUSTAINING TRUST AND SOLIDARITY. THE PROJECT SEEKS TO FOSTER BELONGING, COMMUNITY, AND INTERDEPENDENCE, CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE CAN HEAL FROM TRAUMA IN NATURE AND RECONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER. HONORING THE AWASWAS-SPEAKING UYPI TRIBE OF THE AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND, THE PROJECT RECOGNIZES THAT THE LAND HAS LONG BEEN IN STEWARDSHIP WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND ITS FIRST PEOPLES.

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING GENERAL PROGRAMS, CIRCLES IN PRISON, HEALING CIRCLES, VICTIM OFFENDER DIALOGS, MUTUAL AID AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (MARJ), TRAININGS, SURVIVOR SUPPORT, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND RIDE HOME PROGRAM.

LIFE COMES FROM IT - LIFE COMES FROM IT HAS AWARDED OVER $18 MILLION IN GRANTS TO MORE THAN 250 GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON RESTORATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE, INDIGENOUS PEACEMAKING, AND LAND-BASED HEALING. SINCE THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS HOSTED OVER TEN GATHERINGS NATIONWIDE, CONNECTING MORE THAN 500 MOVEMENT LEADERS AND FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS. BY COLLABORATING WITH ESTABLISHED CONFERENCES SUCH AS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S BEYOND THE BARS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, LIFE COMES FROM IT HAS ENHANCED DIVERSITY AND STRENGTHENED BLACK AND INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY. ADDITIONALLY, THEY'VE PRODUCED OVER EIGHT WEBINARS TO ELEVATE MOVEMENT VOICES AND PROVIDED OVER 4,000 HOURS OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, INCLUDING FUNDRAISING ASSISTANCE THAT HELPED GRANTEES SECURE OVER $500,000 IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

REENTRY SUPPORT - OUR TWO REENTRY HOMES, WITH EIGHT BEDROOMS TOTAL, PROVIDE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR WOMEN, MEN, AND NONBINARY PEOPLE RETURNING FROM PRISON, ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO STAY AS LONG AS THEY NEED TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AT THEIR OWN PACE. WE PRIORITIZE RESPECT, EQUITY, AND SUPPORT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL GOALS, WITH ALL BASIC NEEDS MET, SUCH AS CLOTHING, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING. RESIDENTS BUILD A MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, SHARING DECISIONS RELATED TO THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLE OF AHIMSA, OR DO NO HARM. CONFLICTS ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH OPEN COMMUNICATION, EMPHASIZING A SPACE FOR TRUST AND HEALING. OUR HOUSING COMMUNITY ALSO HOSTS MONTHLY POTLUCKS, PROVIDES ACCESS TO PERSONAL COUNSELING, AND OFFERS CLASSES IN FINANCE, COOKING, AND OTHER SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR NEXT STEP HOUSE ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO PAY SUBSIDIZED RENT AND BUILD A CREDIT HISTORY AS THEY TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. BEYOND HOUSING, WE SUPPORT THOSE RETURNING FROM PRISON BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION, RESOURCES, AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT. NATIONALLY, WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER LEADERS TO EXPAND PERSON-CENTERED, FORMERLY INCARCERATED-LED REENTRY INITIATIVES, WORKING AGAINST EXPLOITATIVE MODELS AND FOSTERING A JUST REENTRY NETWORK ACROSS THE COUNTRY.