The Transformative Justice Center

"The Empathy in Action program changed us, and we will back it with what little we have." These are the words of a a small group of incarcerated men inside prison who just challenged the outside world to care as deeply about them as they care about us. It can take a lifetime to save $5,000 behind bars. And they are giving every dollar of it away — not for themselves, but for us. For this community. For healing that reaches beyond the walls. They have the least. They're giving first. Will you match the men who are matching you? WHAT THEY STARTED, WE CAN FINISH Incarcerated participants from our Empathy in Action program have put up a $5,000 matching gift challenge. Every donation you make this summer gets doubled — dollar for dollar — until we hit the goal. They believed in this work enough to sacrifice for it from behind prison walls. Now we’re asking the outside community to meet that kind of faith. WHAT YOUR GIFT BUILDS 📚 Books and materials for the Summer 2026 Empathy in Action program 📖 Facilitator training manuals as we prepare to expand and develop new leaders 🎉 Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration — honoring the people who keep showing up 🎬 Rental and event costs for the one-year anniversary screening of Going Inside: Empathy in Action at Golden State Theatre 👕 Outreach materials and merchandise that help grow the movement beyond this season YOUR DOLLARS, DOUBLED $25 → $50 $100 → $200 $500 → $1,000 $2,250 → completes half the match $5,000 → unlocks the full challenge THIS IS WHAT TRANSFORMATION LOOKS LIKE What started as a single inside-out prison dialogue program has become a living bridge between the incarcerated and the public, between accountability and healing, between who we were and who we still have the capacity to become. The most powerful part? The people most changed by this work keep choosing to invest in it. That’s not a program. That’s a movement. Give today. Double your impact. Help us carry this work through the summer and beyond. P.S. Matching gifts don’t last forever. We have been given 7 days, until June 4. If you’ve been thinking about supporting this work, now is the moment your generosity counts twice. A few men with very little chose to give years of savings so this work could continue. Don’t let that go unanswered.

The Inside–Outside Match: A Prisoner’s Challenge to Our Community This month, something extraordinary is happening! An incarcerated man, who has been part of Empathy in Action for many years, believes so deeply in this work that he has pledged $3,000 of his own money  to support it. Most incarcerated individuals in CA anywhere between .08 cents to $1 an hour. In this circumstance, it took this generous man 7 years to earn $3000 ! That is the level of belief one incarcerated participant has in this program. He said Empathy in Action has changed the entire culture of prison and is the best rehabilitation program ever offered and he has been incarcerated for 33 years. But he doesn’t want to simply donate. He wants to challenge the community outside the prison walls to step up alongside him. His challenge is simple: If the public raises $3,000, he will match it with $3,000. Together, we can turn that act of faith into $6,000 for healing, transformation, and community restoration. This challenge launches our March fundraising campaign to raise $10,000  to sustain and expand the work of the Transformative Justice Center and our prison program, Empathy in Action. Your Support Is Much Needed Your contributions help keep the Transformative Justice Center doors open  while expanding programs both inside and outside prison walls. Funds raised this month will support: • Empathy in Action programming at CTF Soledad, Salinas Valley Prison and Central California Women's Facility • Reentry and workforce development services • Insurance and operational costs to keep the center running • Program materials, participant resources, and graduation costs • Student internship and community engagement projects • Outreach, storytelling, and awareness efforts When someone inside prison is willing to give $3,000 — a sum that took nearly seven years to earn and save — we believe the outside world can meet him halfway. Let’s show the incarcerated that their commitment to healing and transformation is not unseen, and not unsupported. The challenge has been made from inside the prison walls. Now it’s our turn to respond. Donate today and help us unlock the $3,000 match. We can't do this without you. www.transformativejusticecenter.org Learn More Empathy in Action's documentary, Going Inside , recently won best documentary in the Texas Short Film Festival! If you are unfamiliar with the work of the Transformative Justice Center and Empathy in Action, please watch THIS VIDEO , which includes excerpts from the documentary. You can also watch a series of shorter testimonials on our YOUTUBE page! All donations are fully tax-deductible. Our EIN number is: 26-4245043.