ISSUE #2

STRENGTH IS IN THE STRUGGLE...

-editor’s log

Greetings!

First-and-foremost, let me apologize for the fact that
the information contained in the last issues of both The
Sword and The TRUTH, specifically as it pertains to reach-
ing-out to me, is no longer valid. My voicemail service uas
shut-down, and my email was apparently flagged by Grail
(Google) as a place of suspicious activity because (I be-
lieve) T had too many people trying to monitor and maintain
it! Unfortunately, it has been very difficult finding and
working vith a single dependable person to help me manifest
this brainchild to present to you something special, so I
vas trying the more-the-merrier approach..! In other words,
if T couldn't find one individual to volunteer time assist-
ing me - then, maybe, I could get several to volunteer a
little time and get things done {kgx_ooflw{—ttee! LOL! The
silver-lining of it all is the fact that, in addition to
working on completing these second issues, I am in the pro-
cess of preparing for my release, so - sometime in the near
future - manpower will no longer be a hurdle for me to have
to overcome because I'l1 be able to do all the necessary
wor on my own! That includes actually being able to dive
into the specific goals, or missions, that I had originally
set for both zines. So, hopefully, the next issues that I

relese will provide you with muich more specific, intent-
ional content!

Until then... Plesse enjoy!

Respectfully,

Toola Taylor
3205 Kiya Ct. #C5

Peoria, TL 61604
Fmail: toola. the,vriterGgmail.con
Tnstagram: (toolothewriter

| THE PRETRIAL SUCCESS ACT ..

| COMMUNITY SAFETY THROUGH STABLE HOMES ACT .

MY LETIER ON CONSCIOUSNESS ..
RE-ENTRY RESOURCES .
WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO ..

THE FAIR ACT FUNDED ADVOCACY & INDEPENDENT
REPRESENTATION .

BUSINESS GRANTS FOR PEOPLE PREVIOUSLY
CONVICTED OF FELONIES ............

PEN PRISON WRITING AWARDS GUIDELINES
PRISONERS' JUSTICE DAY AT WALLS TURNED SIDEVAYS

CAN A CONVICTED FELON GET SECTION 8 HOUSING? .

MY LETTER ON bgfiusclousmss

Erik Schoenecker

So is consciousness more than a hunan experience and
what does consciousness look like from others?

WE NEED TO VIEW HUMAN AS THE OBJECT!!!

What does a human look like to a faucet? To a broom?
Let's imagine that the broom is observing me; I don't under-
stand its consciousness and it doesn't understand mine, but
what do I look like to it:

This broom sees a being inhale and exhale smoke vhile
seated. Its fingers are moving on a rectangle and its upper
member (head) bobs occasionally. So i described me viewing
me from a broom but what made the human object conscious?
How would a broom see other consciousness?

I'm still not answering what consciousness is... Is it
being alive? Is it suffering? I think ve agree at this
point those two need each other.

So alive. What's alive? The broom doesn't have a pulse,
heart, blood, etc.; but, neither does a tree, and we consi-
der the tree alive... Is the tree conscious though? They
can comunicate and they have similar things humans have in
the form of roots and branches. We all bow down to the
earth.

Are ants conscious? They always crawl on me and i ask them
kindly not to but they don't care. I help spiders and bugs
make their way outside so they don't get killed. Do they
know i care about their life? Do they know i want to see
them Live? Do they feel anything toward me? I want to think
about them as human but they aren't. They are ants... Do i
have to make believe ants consciousness..? Yes. We need to

do this thought experiment.

So, an ant. Bug. Insect (Latin term). 6 legs. Colony. Visu-
| a1” Touch. Scent. It eats, shits, breathes, and reproduces.
Do they all reproduce, or just certain ants?

Does the ability to reproduce the image of Self play a |
| role in consciousness?
Ants do reproduce. But do_they all? If they don't, does
that effect why they aren't all conscioue? |

Birds reproduce, and i don't know if they are conscious.
They communicate and have families and do human things
(human, as an animal, not societal human). They have hanes
and care about them. ‘They have offspring and care for
them, lle, as humans, use their cycle of family to explain
ours when our offspring leave the nest. Sinilirities, bu
not consciousness. .. What vould make a bird conscious. .?
puare of suffering? A bird goes through rain, heat, cold,
hunger like me - yet I am the only one who can be observed
thinking about the suffering, talking about the suffering,
conceptualizing suffering, writing about the suffering. ..
A bird chirps... Do they ever chirp because that last worm
was a little too sun-cooked? Not the good worm char, but

that leaking orafice char that stings your nostrils with-
| out the scent ever touching it.

Would a bird take off nest-building because it ate a had
worm (“"bad," another concept from consciousness, but cam
only be seen by acceptance and avoidance, ‘in nature). So,
just a worm. What does a bird consciously do if it is

aware of its suffering? Does it lay in the nect? b it

take a different type of tree to alleviate the symptoms of
dislike, or non-agreeance?

Does it need to communicate with other birds over tine how
that experience of the worm affected him? Are we different
because i want to understand suffering, whereas, a bird
Jjust suffers in silence..? (Thank you birds).

We both die. What does it matter if T understand or don't
understand? Tt feels wrong not to look. It feels wrong to
awake, protect the nest, collect the rest, rebirth the
next, and see it in jest... He doesn't take it seriously..!

I don't take what seriously? Consciousness? Avareness? Suf-
fering? thy would 1!7 I already feel wrong and right on my
om. Now i have to take on others for HOW LONG? Now i have
| to worry about the next? Why!? T see these birds, not come

@

scious in my eyes - LIVING; yet i look non-conscious to |
them and i can't help but see me as living, as well... The |
suffering only becomes real when i become I. How do you

20 on from here? Where is she? My final synbol? Why do i
feel like i'm pursuing next for humans..?

HA! You

Fated to chase self-knowledge i feel selfish.
hate that it was never about you.

You hear that birds? Conscious, or not - i'll be forgot.
Let's forage.

PRISON BOOKS
COLLECTIVE PUBLISHING
& DISTRIBUTION

b3 o&@ P.0. Box 625
con Carrboro, NC 27510
R
Words of Fire
We consider fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art.
Submissions are stwavs open In ok PO box o 8t
PriscnbooksGomallcom. Exh paceof witng mat
e pages o les, At il be prired m sack and whie
and Canho contaih iy Submisons may be edtad
for carky, spaling, and angth. Wia i nt P mere
(2 s of (e 4 garv by oo et W
o ae it i, homaphoni, o staretie trger
Soacih oraups fo hate, e dfac e putaing ol
ares nd ocatons el s yo rafr anorwa
| Toese who ae pulsne il recav 2 cepenof

5, please provide a backup address. No piece
can be returned. Thank you!

Order Today

YES' Street Money Magazine

0 Comentisess + S2:hippig

0 iwanttobe esuredin
S Money Mogaine

Shoping s

Editing o publicity
Design Affordability 7]
Distribution 7 90% Royalty /]

WE'LL GET YOUR BOOK OUT THERE

thelnvisiblelmprint.com | info@thelnvisiblelmprint.com

Ithought it wouid be interesting to
hear th stories of people who had
o place 10 go, who couid nat sclate:
themselves and depended on thei
caretakers o keep them safe, which
they cid not or did not have the.
education or instructon or the means
todoso.

£

People incarcerated had to endure what came to them |

| rom e cuice
Think about , since Covid-19 s transmitied person to
person, f you were not exposed you would not get sick.
People n prison are not exposed 1o the outside would
except ffom the people going in and out on a dally basis.
ffom home to work, binging in the virus to people who
could not escape or profect themselves. They could not o | [ESREEERERSMITpS
ot and buy masks 10 wear, they couid not stand six feet | [SERPERIARS
‘apart, they could not do anything to top . Even now the T
faciltes are st going on lock down as new Infectons

| keep spreading n them again and again

| Here are a few stories that were donated o me for this

book 10 share with the world. | hope you enjoy them

Would

Heat

|| Within The Gates Of Hell True Covd-19 Stories by
Inmates. 22.50 s aiso in hardcove for the same price.
Kindle 9.99 Plus tax. On any book orders.

Feel free to email me with any comments at |

2ing13@comast net. Please leave a review on any |
of my books on Amazon. There is an author's page |
You can check out. amazon com/authar/
stardragont3s
| Tam aiso a digtal creator, and you can check out
|| my products at: rectuntie.com/osopie/
‘stardragon38

| Thank you, Barbara Jean Nagle (Stardragon)
ABOOKYOUWANT gl

| 13 BOURNE AVE SUITE 2 e mcans anyone can

| ATTLEBOROMA 02703 s A mmin

cial media. Let u
Jd ke us

Prison Health News
4722 Baltimore Ave,
Philadelphia, PA

15143

@

RE-ENTRY RESOURCES|

Entrepreneurial training programs and other tools can be extremely
beneficialfor individuals previously convicted of a felony looking to start or
grow their businesses — even f they don't necessarily provide free funding,
Finding organizations that focus on helping the formerly incarcerated

transition back into society through entrepreneurship can be particularly
useful.

Here are some avalable resources:

Help For Felons

‘The website - 170relons 015 provides a wide variety of resources for
those who were convicted of felonies, as wellas other previously
incarcerated individuals. Through the site, you can find job postings, legal
information and housing options. You can also access fists of personal and
business grants, loans and other forms of financial assistance.

Inmates to Entrepreneurs

e r: is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help
people with criminal backgrounds launch their own businesses. The
organization offers free online and in-person courses to give would-be.
entrepreneurs the business education they need to get started.

Defy Ventures.

administers several second-chance programs with the goal of
helping formerly incarcerated individuals succeed in their new lives and
decrease the rate of recidivism. Through Defy Ventures, potential
entrepreneurs can participate in an entrepreneur boot camp or a business
accelerator. Through these programs, they gain the skill they need to
launchand ousin

Refoundry

s an incubator program based in Brookiyn, New York. Through
this program, formerly incarcerated individuals are taught to repurpose
reclaimed materials into home furnishings. As they develop these skills,
Refoundry mentors also teach participants how to build a resume, succeed
in an interview and start their own business.

Project ReMADE

i an entrepreneurship training program run by Stanford Law
School. This program teaches formerly incarcerated individuals basic
business skills and introduces them to professionals in the business
community.

Between classes, students meet with mentor teams who help them develop
a potential business plan. Mentor teams consist of one Stanford Law
Student, one Stanford Graduate School of Business student and one Siicon
Valley professional.

At the conclusion of the program, entrepreneurs present their business plans
before a panel of executives and microdevelopment organizations.

Entre Capital

For entrepreneurs who are stilllooking for financing, Entre Capitalis a

127 (COF), specifically devoted to
providing capital to second-chance businesses. The organization only funds
previously incarcerated individuals, offering them loans to start or expand
thei operations.

also offers assistance with business planning, budgeting and
financial reporting, as well as mentorship resources.

'ADVOCACY GROUPS

Amnesty International, 322 8th Ave., New York, NY 10003, (212)
807-8400. Works for reform and human rights. or § Penn plaza ny. ny
20005

‘Campaign for an Effective Crime Policy, 918 F Strest NW # 505,
Washington, D.C. 20013-2310 (202) 785-2126. Agency works for effective
reform. Ask your insttution warden o Join.

Coaliton fo Prisoners Rights, P.0. Box 1911, Santa Fe, NM 87504, Thelr
paper is called CFPRN. Free to prisoners.

‘CURE (Giizens United for the Rehabiltation of Errants), P.0. Box 2310,
Washington, D.C. 20013 (202) 789-2126. Provides advocacy to bring about
prison reform. Wrie for their address of your state chapter. Newsietter also
avallable.

FAMM Foundation (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), 1612 K Street
NW, Sute 1400 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 822-6700. A clearinghouse
for current sentencing information. Newslatter avalable. or 1100 H. Street
n.w. oakland ca 94612

Hatcher Center for Human Rights, 120 Amber Road, Hamit NC 108,
Chicago, 1L 60613.

36ff Dicks Medical Coalition, PO Box 342, Beschgrove, Tn 37018, Contact
Shiriey Dicks with cases of medical abuse. Newsltter, $5 inmates.

Justice Watch, 1120 Garden St., Cincinnati, OH 45214 (513). Good
Newsitters for prisoners.

Middle Ground prison Reform, 139 East Encanto Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 966-8116. Contact Donna and James Hamm for mor Informatian.
They have a diractory of services for prisoners including legal help.

November Coalttion, PO Box 309, Calvlle, WA 99114 (509) 684-1550.
Dedicated to educating the pubic on prison issues.

PARC (Prison Actvist Resource Center), PO Box 339, Berkeley CA 94701
or p.o. box 70447 oakland ca 94612

Southern Center for Human Rights, 83 Poplar Street W, Atianta, GA
30303 (404) 688-1202. Works to improve conditons In sauthern prisons
and jals through Itigation and community education.

U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civil Rights Divison, 10th street, Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20503. "Report of prisoners abuse.”

AIDS INFORMATION and SUPPORT Alds In Prison Project, Osborne
Association, 803 Westchester Ave., Bronx, NY 10455. Accepts collect calle:
from Inmates needing help.

CHC (The Carrectional HIV Cansortium), 50 Calfforna Street, Suite 1500,
San Francisco, CA 94111. Support, resources, re-entry.

National Prison Hospice Association, P.O. Box 58, Boulder, CO 80306-005
Helps develop programs for the terminaily il

“One Day at a Time", Richard H. Rhodes, £05353-018,U.5.7. Leavenwortn,
P.O. Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 660448, AIDS newsietter

Prisoners with AIDS Rights Advocacy: Offers support, referrals, education
and poltica lobbying for prisoners with alds. P.0. Box 2161, Jonesboro, GA
30237 (404) 9469346,

| What It Boils Down To
| ByEric Stephens
| Everything Lknow,
‘Combined with al that fel.
|| 165 only just for show,
Since nothing around me scems real.

If T knewa way,

Td make all of this disappear.
Eachand every day,

Iface disappointment and fear.

1try to believe;
Buteverything i false in the end.
Even friends deceive,

And I find it hard to trust again.

My own reflection;
Sorhething I can barely recognize.
So much rejection,

‘What I once loved, I now despise.

T'm numb o the touch,
Searching for the person I used to be.
| tall hurts too much,
“This pain might be the death of me.

But I wil persevere,

| Until the day I take my last breath.

| Life must bea e,
Because in the end, I'm guaranteed death.
AL US.P Victorile, Adlant, CA

Forgotten Men
By Earl Young
Once the gavel slams,
'Welre ostracized to this disturbia

Stripped of pig iron and conjugal visi
We dwellin our insomia.

Although it was the law
‘That fastened our neck to the noose,
‘Wee running for the train,

But can't catch up with the caboose.

Most days here are like
An awful, recurring dream,
Blacker than Folgers'coffec
Without a trace of cream.

Ghostly tothe world beyond thesé wals,
As we rotinside this pit,

Hoping this phantasm will be rescued
By the magic ofa wri,

No, wée not animals,
Yet we sufer i this den.

Task the world to pray for

Al these forgotten men.

At Korn Valy State Prison,Deano, A

We want to publish your essay, letter, eulogy, announcement,
poem or artwork in an upcoming issue! Please try to limit
articles to around 500 words and incude a short bio. Articles
may be edited for length. Due to the volume of submissions we
receive, work may not be returned. |

If you have a topic or question you would like us to address in
an upcoming issue, drop us a line and let us know!

Send submissions to:
Stateville Speaks c/o Justice Studies
LWH 4062 Northeastern L University

5500 N. St. Louis Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625-4699

lett

and circumsta

ingeons

n
(Dw

ravis Taylor,

1637 .

|
BEYOND BARS |

Submission Details

Word Count and Length Expectations:

Fition (Short Stories)and Craaive Nonficton: p to
7,500 words
Flash Fction: up t0 250 words
Poetry:5 poems up to 10 pages totai
e
At this time, we cannot offer payment but
will provide a year subscription and two
copies of Beyond Bars to contributors.
cee
Submissions are open year-round!

Beyonaars
Georga Stae Unwersty
B¢ 125 Suna 2440
25 ParkPlsce NE
Atana,Ga 30303

BeyonaBarshag@gmatcom

Prayer in Times
of hadequacy

READ NEHEMIAH 2:1-10
A e Nehemiah hear s e
desperate conditon of the Jews who
had returned from exile to Jerusalem,
his heart was burdened (Neh. 1:3-4). By
getting his attention in this way,the Lord
could reveal what He wanted Nehemiah
o do. Scripture doesn'tspell out the
man's reaction on realizing that he was
t0be partof the solution, but we can
imagine a sense of inadequacy probably
enguledhim. How could he possly |
help? He wasnt even near Jerusalem, and
asa servant of the king, he didn't have ‘
the freedom to pack up and leave.

But whenever God puts a burden on
our hearts, He will open a door to accom-
plish His il Inthis case, the Lord used
Nehemiahis sad expression and desperate
Prayer to prepare a pagan king to send
him on his mission

How do you respond when you sense
the Lord i calling you o a task tht seems
beyond your abiltes? Do you st all the
reasons why you can't possibly do it? God
already knows everything about you and
the situation. He's not asking your permis.
sion to proceed; rather, He s caling you
t0 move forward with faith and obedience.
| He didn't make an error in choosing you
for the task, but you will make a huge.
mistake if you refuse to do it

God will equip you for whatever He calls
Y0110 do. Because the Holy Spirit dwels
‘within evry believer, e have all we need to
fulfil he Lords mission. Instead of ltting
inadequacy hinder you rom obeying, lt

it dive you o your knes so you can arise
with renewed insight and power

B

THE

eI INVESTING IN SUPPORTS
} AND SERVICES FOR SAFER
ey COMMUNITIES
Sugees® 583470 (sims)/HB4816 (West)
Act
THE OPPORTUNITY THE VisioN

anay e peose o marian Smpoyen,

s e eskhcare and subsiance
T Lemes o peope swaking s

5 MILLION

(oL

~Funding willcreste a commurity-based networkof Care through satewide grans program sdinistered
e Bemarment o uman Serzas Funded sarvices wil nlude:

System mavigasin t help pecple sccess sevicesthat il allatepreca sccess

Mantal eaith and substance use disorder sssesement,case management, and rastment
eroing 1 ciea standurds, spacily Inkage 1 oot s ediaton sssiied ecover.

Transpertation and child car t emave barierst court appearance.

= TR
EQUIY:Susors e i iz COMNITY VOGS Spoors s s
R B e e

'VOLUNTARY. Coerced treatmant can lead to RS Tuied b Boommanin

o sttt Sccon ct b baenendrsed b she Wil etwork o Prce

uman service organizations. A

For mors nformation, lesse contact:
Becky Lavi - revingtascorg | John Amdor -john@nekstzamdor om
e EncaneyBond 10 | ST IFSMessOrg

SHINE
TOGETHER

[FAIR ACT]

~ Funded Advocacy & —
Independent Representation
HB 5842 - Rop. Dave Vella, Rep. Justin Slaughter, & Rep. Kevin Olickal

I o cortutonl okgaton o e oros deen 1 el whocannot oo et
0wy o iy e s wkh s ot o e e 8

e gt 0 stigsions om 20152023 v e
+ i s ct st chanos s ks fns s e
548 14 er ot o i st rind s
+ Aot 60% o o couis v o g s gt

e i 3 v couny it stendr i ey cumty

D Coonpa ptesconl anéoesONBRE e

Falat v ekl oot Aerer o s S enaant clotins.

/ Funded Advocacy
s ol dfnders el cry aslnds ht st o e i v o .
rulansous eroming sddton nes o oo marageman st s e e

et st S, Rk Back 0 L s 4 Geprseri e s e,

he AU At cesto a0 oftheStae Pubicoetonder

= s, Wl o 30 ol Pl Sfeas, e neds 5 clors s st esources.

DXt it s o Cuty delendes 3 suplent s sk i it urchasing v safing

Independent Representation

S a1 B s e hy 50kt bt it fc e st e
i plment 1901l f b Gnirs ot ok f e o e e

R T T —
Ao o v coutyfendosmdpantar o o obry i sgamen i ot st
P g g of e Ofice o e S Puke Dirons oo dteres eponcm

Contact: Shary Grae, Gook County PublcOefender' e
7739468535 o shary racescooncowiyh

ARTISTS and WRITERS

Aternative Arts Allance, 1432 W. 37th Ave,, Denver, CO 80211, Write for
more information.

Caged In", /o Oberiin Action Against Prisan, P0. Box 285, Overin, Ohio
44074, They accept wriings from prisoners on prisons.

PEN Writing Prograrm for Prisoners, 568 Broadway, New York, NY 10012,
sk about wiiting contest for prisonars.

Ridge At Association, Inc, 210 Cypress Gardens Bid., Winter Heaven, FL
33880 Send SASE for cantest information

state. 2

Live the full life
of the mind. |
Self-Publish Your Dreams.

Instantgblisher.com offers all types of koo printing.
25 copies as low as $100 |

800-259-2562 or questionstinstantyuil isher. com

Business Grants for People
Previously Convicted of Felonies:

As many as one in three Americans have criminal records. And since most.
employers run background checks on potential candidates, these records
can be a considerable impediment for those previously convicted of a felony.

Infact, according to the Sentencing Project, more than 60% of formerly
incarcerated individuals are unemployed one year after being released.

Therefore, starting and running a business may be a sutable way of earning
income. Although formerly incarcerated individuals can still face challeng
| as entrepreneurs, a variety of small-business grants and additional
resources can help.

‘We'll tart with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique need
of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consut you
the process moving forward.

Small Business Development Centers

(SB0CS) are SBA-spbnsored canters
{hat provide free or low-cost training and assistancs to new and existing
businesses. These centers are typically hosted by local colleges or
universities, as wellas state ecanomic development agencis. SBOCs often
maintain lsts of funding opportunities in your area and can help you find and
apply for the best options for your needs.

Frequently asked questions i
Are there grants for those convicted of felonies to start theirjown
businesses? |

Yes. Formery incarcerated indivicuals may be able to get - |

from the federal government and thir stae orlocal government
Some organizations, like the National Association for the Self-Employed, also
offer grants for startup businesses,

How do you get a business grant as a formerly incarcerated individual?

A5 a formerl incarcerated indvidual,you can search and apply for grants
related o your business. These grants may be avaiable from the.
govement, rarproft crganizatonsolrge cormorations Bpfore appying
¥0u should ensure you meet all of th eligbily riteria, such g industry

time in business and specific needfor funds. '
'

Are there SBA grants for those convicted of felones? |
|

The SBA doesn't usually offer grants directly to any small-busiess owners
Instead, it grants nonprofits and community organizations that promote and
SuPPOrt enrepreneurship. Aternatively, you might consicer an
Individuals with a felony record are not excluded from applying but will need
o provide 3 completed fingerprint card i

Grants for people previously convicted of a felony

Uniike , grants provide free funding that doesn't need 1o,
e repaid. Grants can be a particularly good option for formerly incarcerated
entrepreneurs who don't want to take on debt or have trouble qualifying for
deb financing

's important to keep in mind that finding and applying for
is time-consuming and entries are competitive. If you dedicate the

necessary time and effort, however, you may be able to access free capital
for your business.

Nonprofit and corporate grants

Formerly incarcerated individuals can get business grants from corporations
and nonprofit organizations. Some nonprofits even offer second-chance
entrepreneurial programs — in other words, training and funding
opportunities designed specifically for previously incarcerated people.

Rise Up, Get Started Grant Program

roorated, a nonprofit organization based in Kansas City,
Missour, that helps formerly incarcerated individuals start and grow their
own businesses.
Through the organization's Rise Up, Get Started initative, business owners
can participate in a year-long program where they receive coaching,
mentoring and community support. Entrepreneurs will also have assistan
writing a business plan and creating a budget.

At the conclusion of the program, participants wil have $300 saved for ml

business — and Determination, Incorporation will award a $750 grant on t
of these savings.

“The nonprofit organization also runs an in-prison Back to Business
workshop, which helps incarcerated individuals :1=.</05 &
that they can get started quickly upon release.

Georgetown Pivot Program

The G016 ot Prograr s full-time, one-year progfam designed to
help formerly incarcerated individuals develop the skills to succeed in a
business and professional environment.

Over the course of the program, participants will attend claspes, receive an
internship placement and get the opportunity to develop thelr own business.
idea. Each participant will present their business idea at the Pivot Pitch
Competition for a chance to win <. In 2022, participants were
‘awarded a total of $15,000 in grant money.

To qualify, participants must be 25 years or older with a high/school or a GED
diploma who were last incarcerated within the past five yeard. Preference is
given to Washington, D, residents.

‘The Transform Business Grant
|

The 122 s open to business owners n'systemically
oppressed groups, including formerly incarcerated people. In addition to
$1,000 microgrant,recipients will aiso be awarded a customized, year-long

business strategy and development program. The 2024 grant cycles willbe
announced in February. i

|
LEAP Virtual Entrepreneurial Academy !
|

LEAP is a nonprofit organization based in Florida that works With previously
incarcerated women and helps them as they transition back fnto society. The.

! Enteepre 1210 i5 a program that run twice per year
‘and teaches business skills o its participants.

Over a three-month period, students attend classes twice per week, and at
the conclusion of the program, they pitch a business plan to a panel of
entrepreneurs for an opportunity to win cash prizes. Graduates are also
eligible to apply for a $1,000 microloan.

o qualit, you must be a formerly incarcerated woman who has access toa
‘computer. LEAP covers all program costs through funding from its sponsors.

Amber Grant

Although not designated exclusively for previously incarcerated individuals,
the s another great funding option for women entrepreneurs.
‘The nonprofit organization WomensNet offers several grant opportunities
businesses that are at least 50% women-owned, including the $10,000
monthly Amber Grant and the $25,000 annual Amber Grant

‘WomensNet also issues a startup-dedicated grant, a nonprofit-dedicated
‘grant and business category grants. Each month, the organization offers a
10,000 grant to a company in a specific industry — in January, for examplg
the funding is awarded to an skilled trades business.

You can apply for allof these grants by submitting one simple application
through the Amber Grant website.

NASE Growth Grant

‘The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), provides
of Up 10 $4,000 to small businesses on a quarterly basis. To be
eligible for one of these grants, however, you must be a NASE member. o

‘The organization offers several different membership options (which incl
additional benefits, such as expert advice and product discounts) and doe:
not exclude formerly incarcerated individuals from joining.

Once you become a member, you can apply for a grant through the NASE
website. Monthly members, however, will have to wait 90 days before they
‘can apply. For the application, you'll need to provide a business plan and
‘explain why you need the funds and how you'll use the money.

Bizee's Fresh Start Business Grant

1f you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey, the.
(formerly the Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant) can help you
legaly register your business, as well as cover

Grant winners wil receive for free, which includes
incorporation services in your state, free services for a ye
and a free tax consultation. You'l also receive a $2,500 grant.

o apply, you must complete an online application, create a two-minute
video explaining how entrepreneurship will impact your lfe and submit a
sample business plan.

Individuals previously convicted of a felony can also get business grants
from the federal government, as well s state and local governments. Here
are some options to consider:

Grants.gov

is a database of federal small-business grants available to ll
types of entrepreneurs, including formerly incarcerated individuas. This
database offers access to over 1,000 grants administered by 26 government
agencies, such as the Department of Energy, Department of State and
Department of Transportation.

o apply, you'l need to register your business using the System Award
Management platform and get a unique entity identification number. Once.
You have your number, you can create an account on Grants.gov to submit
your grant applications.

Economic Development Offices

Most states and many cities have onment . which are
dedicated to promoting and supporting local businesses. Through your |
regional office, you'llikely be able to find information regarding government

funding solutions, training programs and tax incentives. |

Maine’s Office of Business Development, o example, provides a variety of
grant opporturnities, including options that finance recreation businesses,
localtourism, agriculture and food businesses, among others.

The PEN Prison Writing Aw:rds}iuid

The PEN Prison Writing Awards was initiated in response

PEN to the 1971 Attica Prison Riots as PJW’s founding

AMERICA [l program. Each year, hundreds of writers submit
unpublished work in the categories of poetry, fiction,
drama, nonfiction and memoir. Winners are published in an

annual anthology, are invited to work with a designated mentor, and are
awarded cash prizes of $250, $150, $100, and $25 for first, second, third,

and honorable mention places, respectively. Some winners are als;
featured in Break Out, an annual public celebration of the year's
awards winners, staged by well-regarded authors, actors, and activ
the New York City community.

The submission period is August 1 - December 31. Entries

accepted from anyone incarcerated in a federal or state prison,
, or other detention center. Submissions postmarked after Dece

31 will be considered for the following year's awards. Due to the volume

of submissions we receive and the capacity of our team, we regret

we are unable to return manuscripts after submission. Authors retair
rights to their own writing.

Submission guidelines:
® Manuscripts should be typewritten or legibly handwritten.

® All submissions should be accompanied by a brief cover letter that

includes your name, address, identification number, the g
you are submitting to, and the title(s) of your piece(s).

‘s Authors may not submit more than one entry in each category,
except in poetry, which has a 20-page limit. If you are submitting

to drama, fiction, or nonfiction, the maximum page numbe

submission
Only %fi will be.considered, with the
exception

incarcerated population only.

f possible, please send copies of your work, not the originals
are unable to return manuscripts after submission.

leces that have appeared in publications for the

tsin's

re
ounty
mber

hat
all

nre(s)

per

, as wel

Submit by sending work to:

PEN America
Prison and Justice Writing
Attn: 2024 Contest Entry
588 Broadway Suite 303

New York, NY 10012

Prisoners’ Justice Day at
Walls Turned Sideways

BY STATEVILLE SPEAKS

An event for Prisoners' Justice Day was held on August 10,
2024. It was sponsored by the Justice for Restricted Citizens
Foundation (J4RC) and organized by founder Robert Curry

and his partner Barbara Curry. It took place at Walls Turned
Sideways, PNAP's new art gallery on the west side of Chicago.
One hundred people came to bring awareness to the injustices
that burden our loved ones in prison. There was music, food,
testimony and fellowship. We heard formerly incarcerated
indiiduals tell their stories of survival and of keeping their
promise to help bring more people home. They also rallied
behind the Parole llinois Earned Reentry and Good-Time bills

(HB3373/SB2129 and HB5219) and sent letters to legislators
in support of these bills. &

PAROLE

ILLINOIS

CAN A CONVICTED FELON GET
SECTION 8 HOUSING?

If you have a felony, your housing options are very
Limited. However, it is still possible in most cases to ap-

ply and be eligible for Section 8 Housing. Fhile ther

are

general federal eligibility guidelines for felons interest-

ed in applying for Section 8, different state and coun

ty

Housing Authorities may have their own specific guidelines.

To get started on the process, contact your loca

Housing Authority (HA) and find out what the guidelines are

for applying if you have served time in prison.

Here, T will present to you, for review, the standard

eligibility guidelines for Section 8 Housing for someo
with a felony.

FELONIES THAT AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFY
AN_INDIVIDUAL FROM SECTION 8 HOUSING

There are 2 felonies that will prevent you from
ing a Section 8 voucher:

ne

tain-

1. If you have a lifetine requirement to register

as a sex offender; and

2. If you sold meth anywhere near public housing

facilities.

It is also important to reslize that if you or s
in your family comnits one of the above felonies, whil

meone
e al-

ready living/residing in Section 8 Housing, they will take

|asay your voucher forever. Also, that person vill nevel
eligible for Section 8 again.

STATE AND COUNTY GUIDELINES FOR FELONS|
APPLYING FOR SECTION 8

If you have not comitted any of the two felonies
ed above, you may get a Section 8 Housing Voucher. Ke
mind, that most state and county Housing Authorities

be

list-
in
we

very strict rules regarding felons. This is because their

soal is

to keep crime down in subsidized housing complexes,,’

facilities, etc., etc. Following is a general list of

suideli

s’ that can give you a sense of whether or not you

can qualify for public housing. |

When you apply for a Section 8 voucher, you will be
required to go through a criminal background check. This is
vhy you should not. Lie or try to hide your conviction then
you Fill-out the application.

. If you have been convicted of 2 violent crime, drug

. You may be disqualified if you have a documented

. If you have not been consistently paying your rent

If your felony happened more than five years ago,
most places will accept your application. However,
there are some HA's that have a 10-year requirement
on a felony charge. Some HA's may vaive the five-
year rule, if you have gone through a rehabilita-
tion progran. If that is the case, you will need to
present a Certificate of Compliance.

dealing or fraud, sone HA's may disqualify your ap-
plication. Call your local HA, let them know what
ou have been convicted for and find out if you
“hould even bother applying.

If you or soneone in your household has a document-
od history of drug and/or alcohol abuse, you my |
not be eligible. As mentioned before, Housing Au-
thorities vork very hard to keep crime down and to
maintain an overall safe and caln environment of
housing premises.

history of bad relationships with your neighbors.
This may include physical or verbal assaults, bull-
ying and other types of peace disturbance.

in previous years, your application may be turned
down.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND GHECKS FOR
FELONS APPLYING FOR SECTION 8 HOUSING|

Chasing your dreams as an urban or African-Americs
auzhg'r'? Want to hone your craft, self-publish, find
publisher, find an assistant, promote & market your
uild your platform and/or create your fan base?!
how by purchasing your copy of Urban LIT! Info, con
revieus, resources, contests, and more! Send $7.00 to
Toola Taylor, 3205 Kiya Ct.#C5, Peoria, IL. 61604.

ok,

ts,

Fact Sheet:
$B3680|HB 5432 DVandsV.

Communit Sfl'e!y through Stable Homes Act
Support s8 3680 (Sen. Villa) and HB 5432 (Rep. Gong-Gershowitz )

Sunivors of domestic and sexual vioence often need to contact smergency services
for el safoy. Orinances that panalie tensnts wher srmarganey seRicet ome oot
o thel raperty or when “cime s cormieed t ekt properey
Secksirivors o itance and PUSh Survvrs Sk o 1

(Crime-tree housingana AN
nuisance property ordinances

(cFNOs) make survivors afraid

tocall the poice.

Sunvorsof vl face pumeraus

Battrswhan e 3 recowring

o i g

e andaow perpetators o

Parm o creta housng ety for

Sirors by olaing CFGm e he

S e oneacuonces e

Al s o o,

e N
CFNOs force survivors to @ The Commnity Safety through
R choose betweon their housing 1) Siabie Homes et aigms wivh

and their safety. protections for survivors under
PN viltions lad o eviction snd ilinois law and the Violence
e e e Trttenna Against Women Act (-VAWA").
Soiance o PR Bk hesirp gk, + CENOR oot nconsisentwith s

Gnceleaming (h3 hey con oo evirmdfor Brtection o ucre-wh gl
Vg e ramance sunes o e el Fom paraiiig.
actod scnemn themargony srererand Lanants wh contactthe polke o ey

o Sargency senvkes g charg
awenforcament prctecion oo o et hcsosar o O

ecemmniy sty e
o bt ool (CFNOs also conflict with VAWA

Rl peopecantactpoes e
Vithaurtac ket ER A

survivors in their homes.

Formore information on how CFNOs affect survivors:

2 ok o T g Agors o ot - reotarg
o B o G S e Ao

Moreover, once you get your voucher, most landlords
will also do their own criminal background checks. This is
one of the reasons why felons have such a hard tine secur-
ing, housing, even if they already have a Section i voucher.
| Meny landlords prefer to play it safe, md tum dom appli-

cations from felons. However, you should not be discouraged
from applying. When you 20 to an interview with o prospect-
it landlord - just be honest about your past. Focus on the
fact that you have rehabilitated yourself. 1f a landlord
heppens to personally like you, he may be willing to rent
you an apartment, house, etc., etc.

TOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO APPLY
SECTION 8 HOUSING |
This is a general list; sone HA's nay request addition-
al papervork fron you.

- Standard Application

- Proof of citizenship/legal status

Birth Certificate

Social Security number

Pay stubs

Bank _statements |

Criminal background check

+ Credit Score Check

- Completed tax forms

- Statement from government agencies about bene-
Fits such as velfare payments or food stamps

+ Proof of current residence

+ Addresses and contact information where you've
lived in the past five years

WAIT TIME FOR A SECTION 8 VOUGHEF

You should be prepared for a long wait before finally
obtaining your voucher. Section 8 is very popular, and in
many places, people have vaited 5 - 6 years. The average
wait, however, is 2 - 4 years. In sone areas, the vait can
be as short as 8 - 12 nonths. You should call the HA's
where you plan to live/apply to find out the estimated vait
time. Tt is also a good idea to apply to as many local HA's
as possible; thus, you will have a much higher chance of
:getting a voucher. ~
|

Fin'lly, be sure to check the deadline of/for the
plication.”If you miss the deadline, the list will cl

and you will need to wait a-year-or-more before you can ap- |
ply again. |

| “On Doves’ Wings” pencilsketch by Gary Stroud, Gulf Correctional
Insitution Annex, Wewahitchka, FL. “Thi artwork depicts how my lfe
haschanged during my incarceration,” M. Strotid wroe. I best shows

| It ot Stk s,

shown me that can achieve and prosper after my rleasefrom prison”

l‘[m B Poets€Writers
I [‘ The Small Presses

database. Pursue your
= — book’s publication

Suggested Reading: RELIABLE INFORMATION ON
e e PUBLISHERS AND HOW
St o Doep A ! TO QUERY THEM.

edited by Deepa Anappara
and Taymour Soomro

Encouraging readers to
reevaluate the codes and cor-

iy pw.org/
~ small_presses

be written, and for whom, this
collection of essays covers
more than the writer's craft.
inessays by authors suchas [ G
Kiese Laymon, Shariene Teo, =

Madaiine Thien,and Tipharie.
Yanique, as el asaconversa-
tionbetween Nadia Mohamed
and LellaAboulela, Letters foa
Wrterof Color offers the start
of amore incusive iscussion
about storytelling. Taymour
Soomro cautions writers—
and readers—to resist rigid
stories about who they are;
Tanmima Anarm writes about

[T ] WsMGonoms

giving herself permission to e
Sofunny; ancDecpaAnappara
Gescribes the mportance of
wriing though conditons thet
impad he creatonof art. “We
need mre stories from more
Gulures,races, communits,
and natonato ismant sruc-
tures thal suppross iference
and t challnge th percep;

Hionthat iference s fare,

e ocorswrte. Ths ook
o, and shouln' be, the st
Vord on he utject

Though
Bk by nd 3

R :;xv\mu“ |

S\

| Midwest Books to Prisoners
1321 N Milwaukee Ave PMB 460

Chicago, IL 60622