We hope this newsletter finds you doing okay amidst all that's unfolded in our country this week. We're still at a loss for words as we process through the storming of our capital and the white supremacy that underpins it all. One thing we know for sure - our work is more important than ever. While it feels a bit weird to do "business as usual" today, we thought it timely and important to share information about the Global Change Incubator and other key happenings we've got going on. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have.

With lots of love, Anna and Lindsay, Co-Leaders

Reflecting back on 2020 is a daunting task and will be something humans do for many years to come. This year will forever stand alone in our history books. 

It seemed to start off like any other year but soon the world as we knew it shut down in ways we never thought possible. 

For a few weeks, amidst the confusion of the times, the sky was bluer, the birds sang louder and it felt like we all might re-emerge from the experience of a shutdown with more self reflection about the most important things in life. For many, this time meant survival mode, loss of jobs and most excruciatingly, loss of life.

As we observed Human Rights Day yesterday, our hearts were heavy with the news of Brandon Bernard’s execution. Judges and others who were engaged with Brandon’s case all said the same thing - he should not be executed. He had spent the greater part of his time behind bars working to better himself and become a new person. That is, afterall, supposed to be the point of prison, right?

In a system that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown community members, capital punishment cannot be the answer. We must do better as a country. And, to find ways of addressing the systemic racism and punitive thinking that has undergirded our system. What we’ve got going on right now has not led to better outcomes for our communities.

*Photo from The Guardian

Each month, we are working to spotlight an Insight Alliance donor or supporter. We had the pleasure of connecting with our long-time supporter, Rita Shuford, this month. Rita is one of our first donors and monthly givers. We are so grateful for Rita’s ongoing support and encouraging words. Learn more about why she started giving to The Insight Alliance

I am a philosophy professor and I have spent over 20 years studying the history of thought. It is rather humorous that the insights that I have gained through the “Insight to Wellbeing” course that I help to facilitate with Anna at Columbia River Correctional Institute, frequently amount to the advice to not overthink things.

One of The Insight Alliance’s biggest champions is Ron McVety, owner of FACTS Engineering in Florida. I had the opportunity to chat with Ron a few weeks ago. During our call we talked about an array of topics including his life story and why he supports the work we are doing.

I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy. We wanted to take some time to acknowledge all that’s been unfolding in our country over the last few weeks. I’d be lying if I said I’m finding it easy to come up with something meaningful or helpful to say. I’ve spent the morning waiting for something to come…..It’s been a struggle. What’s happening – the killing of innocent black people at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect - is unjust, fucked up and clearly showcases the overt racism black people and communities of color have experienced for decades.

Art by @shirien.creates

We recently connected with our board members to ask them about why they joined our board and support the work our organization is doing. Their responses are SO great! Below, we are spotlighting two of our board members – Roxanne Thomas and Karl Armstrong. We hope you will join them in supporting The Insight Alliance by contributing or becoming a monthly giver. Donate today: https://donorbox.org/theinsightalliance-lifeline

We recently connected with our board members to ask them about why they joined our board and support the work our organization is doing. Their responses are SO great! Below, we are spotlighting two of our board members – Amelia Pape and Glenn Dahl. We hope you will join them in supporting The Insight Alliance by making a contribution or becoming a monthly giver. Donate today: https://donorbox.org/theinsightalliance-lifeline

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I hope you and your family are all staying safe and healthy during these turbulent and unprecedented times. The last few months have been a whirlwind and life altering for many people. Despite the challenges our world has faced, I have been incredibly moved by the acts of kindness I’ve witnessed everywhere I look.

It also gives me hope and renewed energy to find innovative and creative ways to serve the incarcerated adults and youth population we work with, who happen to know a thing or two about living in a lockdown. Anytime I think this is difficult for me, my mind pivots to the adults and youth who are living in prison. They are not only locked down, but have lost ALL visits, education, groups, meetings and most legal visits with lawyers. Many have lost jobs due to social distancing rules and therefore have no money to buy canteen for their basic needs and have little else to look forward to.

We are working to spotlight our amazing supporters each month via our blog and newsletter. This month, I had the pleasure of connecting with Forrest Hoffmaster, CEO of New Seasons Market. Here’s what he had to say about the work the Insight Alliance is doing.

It's been a great few months at The Insight Alliance! We have several programs running right now in four different facilities (soon to be six). We continue to receive positive feedback about our programs.

I had the privilege of meeting with Robyn Tenenbaum, our board chair extraordinaire, at our office in downtown Portland. After our conversation, I was reflecting on all that we’d discussed and how great I thought Robyn was when this fabulous Dolly Parton quote popped up:

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -Dolly Parton

I had the most amazing and energizing lunch today! I got to meet with Patty Merrill – an artist, activist, small business owner and overall bad ass woman. Patty also serves on the board of directors for The Insight Alliance.

Welcome Lindsay Jensen, our new Operations Manager! Lindsay is the newest member of our team and we are very excited to welcome her. She brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit world, most recently serving in an Executive Director role.

We loved everything about our Fundraiser on Nov 7th. The evening was such a wonderful culmination of a really big year for The Insight Alliance. Thank you to all who came out to support us, we really appreciated it.

When we met with Coffee Creek Correctional Facility 2 years ago, they told us we would need to do a research project to show the efficacy of our program. We took that to heart and formed a partnership with the PhD professor, Dr Sarah Bowen, from the Psychology Department at Pacific University and the Department of Corrections research team.

This is the third of our prison podcast excerpts. Meet Eve. Eve is a transgender woman doing time in a men’s prison. This comes with its own challenges as you can imagine. Having gone through our program and continued with our mentor training Eve navigates the ups and downs of prison life and her own state of mind with much more ease. In this snippet she talks about how understanding the Mind has helped with day to day life, things that used to bother her no longer do. She’s an impressive woman.