Philadelphia — Civil Society Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Kurt Evans Is Cooking to End Mass Incarceration

“Learning from and underscoring the brilliance of cooks like his grandmother inspires him when creating menus for his EMI dinners. Evans has hosted over 25 dinners, featuring dishes like piri piri prawns and roasted cauliflower and fonio salad, alongside a "chi chi," or a "correctional cake,” a microwaved cake made from commissary ingredients like M&M’s, Oreo cream filling, and mayonnaise, which acts a binder. Evans hopes to show diners the creative depth and ingenuity of incarcerated people, through the lens of cooking. The intent is not to objectify, but rather to illustrate the nuanced reality of the prison experience. “These people are really passionate and resilient," he says.“

Food & Wine

September 13, 2019

Civil Society Solutions, EmploymentPhillip ReevesSeptember 13, 2019Drive Change, Kurt Evans, New York City, Philadelphia, Food and WineComment

Philadelphia Eagles Bailed 9 People From Jail Using Social Justice Funds

“On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Eagles posted $50,000 in bail ― $25,000 raised by the players and $25,000 matched by the team’s Eagles Social Justice Fund ― so that nine defendants in Philadelphia could spend Thanksgiving out of jail. The money went to the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, a local organization aimed at reforming the cash bailout system, which has been a major issue for Philadelphia city officials over the years.“

Huffington Post

November 28, 2018

Bail ReformPhillip ReevesNovember 28, 2018Huffington Post, Philadelphia, Philadelphia EaglesComment

Every city in America needs a Malcolm Jenkins | Opinion

“Using its platform and players' time off the field, the Players Coalition shines a light on the myriad problems surrounding mass incarceration. Malcolm and his colleagues are reaching out to stakeholders to better understand the human impact of criminal justice policy – something that can't happen often enough. And they are taking action.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

October 26, 2018

Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesOctober 26, 2018Philadelphia, Philadelphia Inquirer, Malcolm JenkinsComment

Chef-Activist Kurt Evans Will Staff His Upcoming Pizzeria With Ex-Offenders

“Chef Kurt Evans is taking the idea behind his End Mass Incarceration dinner series several steps further with Down North, his upcoming North Philly pizza shop. The restaurant, at 28th and Lehigh in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section, will employ ex-offenders in a move to help former prisoners reenter the community and find work. He hopes it have it up and running in mid-November.“

Eater Philadelphia

September 14, 2018

Employment, Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesSeptember 15, 2018Eater Philadelphia, PhiladelphiaComment

A group of incarcerated men funded a backpack drive for Frankford kids with their prison wages

"On Friday, Aug. 24, students at Stearne received backpacks filled with notebooks, crayons and other school supplies in time for the new school year. Men of Action’s members, many of whom are serving life sentences, each donated at least $28 to purchase the supplies."

Generocity

August 30, 2018

Civil Society SolutionsAnthony BradleyAugust 31, 2018Generocity, Philadelphia, Men of Action

The Other Side of 'Broken Windows'

"We got “broken windows,” not “abandoned property,” and a very different policy response ensued. But what if the authors—and the policymakers who heeded them—had taken another tack? What if vacant property had received the attention that, for thirty years, was instead showered on petty criminals?"

The New Yorker

August 23, 2018

Why this couple's wedding registry was devoted to paying off Philly kids' court costs

"To Yalamanchi and He, fixing the systems that created these traps seemed a monumental challenge. But, taken individually, these were problems they could solve. So, they launched the Shift Fund, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides small — but hopefully life-changing — grants to people who are just a few hundred dollars away from getting their lives on track."

Philadelphia Inquirer

July 10, 2018

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