Trinity Church hosts Hearts for Justice conference focused on incarceration

Last year, Trinity Church in Menlo Park hosted the inaugural Hearts for Justice conference with the goal of creating a forum for understanding and responding to issues of injustice locally.

This year’s conference, Hearts for Justice: Incarceration in Our Community, is focused on understanding  issues surrounding incarceration and how we, as a community, can thoughtfully support the men, women, and youth in our community who are directly and indirectly affected by incarceration. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm; Trinity is located at 33o Ravenswood Ave.

The program will open with an expert-panel presentation and discussion, followed by breakout sessions for more in-depth engagement, and it will conclude with a time to connect with dozens of organizations working in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to prevent incarceration, reach out to inmates, and support those re-entering our community.

All are welcome and admission is free with online advance reservation. The conference is suitable for adults and teens; childcare is provided (with pre-registration) for younger children.

Speakers include: Harold Atkins, Program Manager, Each One Reach One, San Francisco; Malachi, Restorative Justice Coodinator, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) and North Oakland Restorative Justice Council; David Robinson, Executive Director of Correctional Institution Chaplaincy, Santa Clara; Heather Starnes, Executive Director & Director of College Initiative, Live In Peace, East Palo Alto; Nellie Lee. Executive Director, Santa Clara Faith Reentry Collaborative.

“Weaving Trusts” artwork created by inmates at Elmwood Correctional Facility © Art and Spirit