We travel to organizations, community groups, schools, and advocacy networks to train others in the skills and strategies that make our work effective. The trainings are hands-on, providing templates, real-world examples, and proven strategies that participants can adapt for their own communities.
Our training guides participants through every step of the process: crafting letters to support a person's release, organizing and mobilizing community members to attend hearings, and building relationships with defense attorneys and court officials.
Register for our weekly Hub meeting, every Tuesday at 6:00pm via Zoom.
Submit your email address and we will contact you with instructions to join!
Our weekly Participatory Defense Hub meetings are the heart of Families Shoulder to Shoulder. These gatherings are more than just meetings, they are spaces of trust, healing, and strategic action. Every week, families come together to share updates on their loved ones’ cases, learn about legal rights and processes, and receive guidance from community advocates and legal professionals.
At these hubs, we break down complicated legal language into clear, actionable steps so families can engage effectively in their loved one’s defense. We also practice skills like drafting impactful letters, preparing for hearings, and building community-based reentry plans. We invite lawyers, social workers, policy advocates, and formerly incarcerated leaders to provide expertise and resources. Beyond legal strategy, our hub meetings are a place for emotional support, reminding families that they are not alone in this fight.
Sign up for the Hub meetings with the form above!
Our letter-writing program is one of the most personal and impactful forms of advocacy we offer. We work closely with families, friends, community members, and allies to write thoughtful, compelling letters that speak to an individual’s growth, rehabilitation, and readiness to return home. These letters are tailored to highlight the person’s achievements while incarcerated, such as educational accomplishments, participation in restorative justice programs, positive behavioral changes, and demonstrated remorse and accountability.
The letters are also a way to show decision-makers, (judges, clemency boards, parole boards, and other authorities) that the person has a strong, reliable network waiting to support them upon release. By emphasizing community ties, housing and employment plans, and a commitment to contribute positively to society, these letters help shift the narrative from punishment to potential. In many cases, these letters have been the deciding factor in securing a sentence reduction or release.
We believe in the power of storytelling to shift perspectives and create change. At our hub meetings, we create intentional space for families to share their personal journeys, speak about their loved ones, and connect with others who understand their struggles.
Storytelling not only humanizes those impacted by the legal system but also serves as a powerful advocacy tool. We invite guest speakers (lawyers, community organizers, educators, and formerly incarcerated individuals) to share knowledge, inspire hope, and equip families with strategies to move their cases forward. These stories are also used in public education and advocacy efforts, helping the broader community understand the human cost of mass incarceration.
