Cecelia Klingeleis an attorney and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School specializing in criminal law. Ms. Klingele provided a historical overview and mapped the modern landscape of collateral consequences to criminal records by discussing the many types of collateral consequences that exist and the best strategies for overcoming them.
Professor Hugh LaFolletteis a distinguished philosopher who teaches ethics and the philosophy of law at The University of South Florida.During his presentation, Dr. LaFollette explored the ethical and legal rationales behind collateral consequences, particularly in professional licensing, while examining the justifications used to deny someone employment based on a past conviction.
Chris Uggenis a Distinguished McKnight Professor and former Chair of Sociology at the University of Minnesota where he studies crime, law, and deviance, with a focus on how former prisoners manage to put their lives back together. Dr. Uggen presented data from his research regarding the numerous ways institutional racial bias exacerbates inequalities in other areas of society, particularly through the collateral consequences of a criminal record. He demonstrated that compared to whites, people of color are disenfranchised by laws restricting “felons’” right to vote at a much higher rate, and are much more likely to be denied employment or housing because of their criminal record.
Finally, attorney Margaret Colgate Love provided a demonstration on the American Bar Association’s new National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction. This inventory is the most expansive and exhaustive compilation of the legal sanctions triggered by a criminal conviction.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 University of Minnesota Law School, Room 25
LOCATION
Mondale Hall
229 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN
8:45-9:00
Welcome and Opening Remarks Judge Pam Alexander, Council on Crime and Justice Michael Smith, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
9:00-9:45
An Overview of the Issues Cecelia Klingele, University of Wisconsin - Madison
9:45-11:00
The Rationale Behind Collateral Sanctions Hugh LaFollette, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Panel: Hugh LaFollette Jerry Kerber, Minnesota Department of Human Services Janet Ludden, Project for Pride in Living Enterprises, Twin Cities Moderator: Michael Tonry, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
11:00-11:15
Break
11:15-12:30
Impacts on Individuals and Communities Chris Uggen, University of Minnesota Josh Page, University of Minnesota
12:30-1:30
Lunch
1:30-3:15
Collateral Consequences and Sentencing
Margaret Colgate Love, ABA Collateral Consequences Project Panel: Margaret Colgate Love Robert Tennessen, Minnesota Commissioner to the National Conference on Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Lindsay Davis, Private licensing and expungement attorney Moderator: John Stuart, Minnesota State Public Defender
3:15-3:30
Break
3:30-4:00
Pathways to Recovery Dan Cain and residents, RS Eden, Minneapolis
4:00-5:00
Reentry and Redemption Michael Pinard, University of Maryland Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel, From Death to Life, Minneapolis
5:00
PUBLIC RECEPTION to follow in Auerbach Commons
Pre-Registration is required.
General admission registration is free. Registration for attorneys requesting CLE credits is $99.*
*Seeking approval for 1.25 Elimination of Bias and 5.25 Standard CLE credits. For questions regarding registration, you may contact Emily Baxter at baxtere@crimeandjustice.org.
On October 19th the Council on Crime and Justice held its annual Minnesota Justice Forum, once again bringing together policymakers, national scholars, local stakeholders, and community members to explore the problems in our criminal justice system and develop solutions in order to improve the system for all Minnesotans.This year the Forum addressed the collateral consequences of criminal records.Sometimes called “invisible punishments” or “silent sentences,” collateral consequences are formal and informal sanctions and disabilities that can extend the negative impact of an arrest, charge, or conviction far beyond the boundaries of a criminal sentence by, among other things, preventing former offenders from obtaining employment, professional licensure, and housing.
Council on Crime and Justice 54th Anniversary Celebration
12/01/2011
Council on Crime and Justice
54th Anniversary Celebration Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Cowles Center
for Dance and the Performing Arts
528 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Join our special guests for an evening of food, music, a silent auction and celebration as we award our annual Equal Justice Awards to Minnesota leaders in criminal justice reform.
2011 Equal Justice Recipients
Equal Justice Award in Advocacy Minneapolis City Council
Member Elizabeth Glidden
Equal Justice Award in Research U of M Sociology Department
Chair Chris Uggen
Equal Justice Award in Demonstration In memory of C. Paul Jones
Do you know how to ensure the system is fair and accessible to someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing?
This training will cover how to accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the criminal justice system, crime victimization issues specific to the Deaf/HOH community, Deaf culture, working with ASL interpreters, best practices, and sessions specific to lawyers, social workers, and advocates.
When: June 28th, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Wilder Center- 451 Lexington Pkwy N., Saint Paul,MN 55104
Cost: Free, Lunch Included
Schedule:
8:00-8:30 Check-in & Continental Breakfast
8:30-12:00 Speakers and Panelists
12:00-1:00 Break-Out Sessions and Lunch
Minnesota: A State of Perpetual Punishment
05/30/2011
Mark Haase, Vice President of the Council on Crime and Justice, will discuss recent criminal justice trends in the state of Minnesota that have made it more and more difficult for people with any type of criminal history, even those only arrested, and juveniles, from successfully reaching their full potential later in life. He will focus on how this adversely impacts our state and what we can do to help make our community safer, stronger, and more just.
Advising the Disadvantaged 2011 Part I: A Toolkit for Pro-Bono and Public Interest Attorneys
04/01/2011
The Council on Crime and Justice and the Volunteer Lawyers Network will present on Criminal Expungements for Low Income Clients at the Minnesota CLE’s Advising the Disadvantaged. Join us!
2011 Minnesota Second Chance Day on the Hill
01/26/2011
The Second Chance Coalition has been a central part of the Council’s policy and advocacy work since we began it with several other partners 4 years ago. The Coalition is now over 50 organizations coming together to advocate for fair and responsible laws, policies, and practices that allow those who have committed crimes to redeem themselves, fully support themselves and their families, and contribute to their communities to their full potential. The most important event of the year is when we go to the state capitol to tell our stories and show support with state lawmakers.
Please join us on January 26, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda, as hundreds of ex-offenders, their families and supporters of justice reform come together to highlight the importance of second chances.
:::UPDATE:::
Nearly 400 people gathered in the State Capitol building on January 26, 2011 to urge lawmakers to embrace second chances. For coverage of the event, please see the links below
2010 Minnesota Justice Forum The Criminal Justice System and Mental Health: Redirecting the Means to new Methods Incarceration Alternatives&Issues and Solutions
10/13/2010
The 2010 Minnesota Justice Forum aims to examine the problems within the current criminal justice system processes and analyze the "revolving door" created by policies and laws that increasingly make successful reentry more difficult. Presenters and participants will discuss the paths individuals travel from initial contact with law enforcement agents, progressing into the court system and diversionary programs, and finally into incarceration. The afternoon sessions focus on the reentry barriers individuals face as they try to gain access to healthcare, housing and employment and the potential changes and solutions that need to occur both locally and nationally in order to end the trend toward an over emphasis on (re)incarceration and move toward a new focus.
:::::UPDATE:::::
The event was a great success! From legislators and professors to criminal justice professionals and ordinary citizens, more than 130 began a dialogue about the criminal justice system and mental health.
The literature provided at the forum by presenters is now available here:
Invisible Children Building Community Support for Children of Incarcerated Parents
09/17/2010
The Invisible Children:
Building Community Support for
Children of Incarcerated Parents
Friday Sept. 17, 2010 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM (includes continental
breakfast & lunch)
BethlehemLutheranChurch 4319 County Rd 137 St. Cloud, MN
________________
There are an estimated 10,000 children
in Minnesota who have a
parent in jail or prison.
Children with incarcerated parents are among the most vulnerable populations of children, at high risk for neglect, abuse, behavioral health problems, delinquency and substance abuse. These issues, if left unattended, can produce intergenerational patterns of crime and violence.
_________________
Join us on September 17th as we discuss and learn how to best support the healthy development of these children!
Who should attend? Educators, criminal justice professionals, social workers, psychologists, caregivers, policy makers, parents, other family members and the entire community!
Listen as keynote speaker, Tommy Watson - PalmerLakeElementary School principal, author of A Face of Courage: The Tommy Watson Story, and a child of incarcerated parents - shares his story.
_________________
Friday, September 17, 2010
BethlehemLutheranChurch, St. Cloud
Free for family members impacted by incarceration, $15 for all others.
The Council on Crime and Justice
Family Strengthening Project
present
The Family Fun Day
Saturday, August 7th 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Council on Crime and Justice Parking Lot ALL FAMILIES WELCOME!
Free Event
Participating Vendors
Community Based Organizations
Council on Crime and Justice
People Serving People
F.A.I.M
Home Line Tenants Rights
Portico Healthnet
Sibley Bike Depot
Emerge
Summit Academy OIC
Health Organizations
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
HealthPartners Midway Dental
Northpoint Health and Wellness Center
Health Empowerment Resource Center (Her Center) Special Thanks to
Tix for Tots for partnering with us to provide Minnesota Lynx Tickets.
Dairy Queen for providing lunch.
Volunteer Performances by Dano Colon and Jacob Mack.
The Council on Crime and Justice staff for volunteering their time.
Ruth Johnson
Summit Academy OIC
Amicus: Men of Rafiki
Rudolph’s Bar-B-Que
People Serving People
Yoga One
Schedule of Events
Registration Begins:
Check-in begins for Volunteers/
Entertainers/Vendors
8:00 a.m.
Family Fun Day Begins
Families are welcome
9:00 a.m.
Youth Yoga with Yoga One
Session One: Ages 5-8
11:00 a.m.
The Magic of Jared Sherlock
12:00 p.m.
Lunch Time
Families attending the event will receive
tickets for boxed Diary Queen meals. A
buffet will be available to Vendors, Entertainers and Volunteers
Community Forum Supporting our youth through juvenile justice reform and violence prevention in Hennepin County
05/20/2010
A collaboration of the City of Minneapolis, The Council on Crime and Justice, and
Hennepin County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR) Juvenile Services
Thursday, May 20, 2010 • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center
2924 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis
Topics will include:
Blueprint for violence prevention – City of Minneapolis
Hundreds of Minnesotans gathered at the State Capitol to push their legislators and their fellow citizens to recognize the importance and benefits of giving people second chances.
The Welcome Home Offenders Heath Fair is designed to encourage, support and educate those offenders who returned back to community in the seven county metro areas. These individuals have completed the Healthy Educational Lifestyle Project (HELP) classes held in Minnesota Department of Corrections and/or participated in the HELP support group known as “Felons 4 Felons”.
A full day training providing breakout sessions, resources and networking; there will also be refreshment served. Breakout session will focus on; benefits of drug court, transitioning from prisoner to government employee, and changing from criminal thinking to a healthy lifestyle.
Keynote Speaker
Benny Lee; Treatment Alternative to Special Clients (TASC), Gateway Foundation and founder of the African American Survivors Organization
Resources will be provides by:
Council on Crime and Justice, MN DOC, Parole and Probation, Turning Point Inc., Urban Ventures, Southside Health clinic, North Point Health & Wellness center African American Family Services, African American Aids Task Force, etc. Networking will be done with individuals and agencies building relationships and dialoging about restorative justice issues.
ART {IN} JUSTICE A Council on Crime and Justice Benefit and Exhibit
11/19/2009 - 12/10/2009
Pamela Alexander, Archie Givens and Jennifer Labovitz at the event.
Justice Page examines a piece.
Examples of artwork from the show.
Guests gather to listen to speakers.
Archie Givens, recipient of 2009 Equal Justice Award
Art {IN} Justice
The Art {in} Justice Exhibit, presented by the Council on Crime and Justice, features artists influenced and touched by the justice system, and highlights the potential of art to advance justice and as a path to restoration and transformation. The Exhibit is intended to expose members of the public to the challenges faced by and successes achieved by the most marginalized of our populations. We also hope to engage the public in helping to address those challenges.
The art on display and for sale was created by prisoners, former prisoners, victims of crime, others at risk of involvement in the justice system and artists whose work reflects a social justice theme. More than 100 artists are represented in the show. Proceeds from art sales benefit the Council and individual artists.
The Exhibit opened on November 19th with the 2009 Art and Justice Benefit. It was a great party! Attendance exceeded 250 and included a diverse crowd of artists, members of the communities that our work serves, lawyers, judges, educators, activists, legislators, social service providers and many community leaders representing areas important to our civic life.
We were honored to present the Council’s 2009 Equal Justice Award to Archie Givens Jr.
In January 2009, the Exhibit will move to the offices of the Minneapolis Foundation, in the IDS Center, where it will be on display for three months. For more information please call 612 353-3000.
2009 MN Justice Forum: Road to Restoration
10/12/2009
2009 Minnesota Justice Forum
Building the Road to Restoration
October 12, 2009 University of St. Thomas School of Law 1000 LaSalle Avenue Minneapolis,MN55403
Featured Guests Include:
Marc Mauer, The Sentencing Project
Julie Stewart, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
Judge James Rosenbaum, U.S. District Court
Todd Jones, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota
Juvenile and Criminal Records Reform:
Building the Road to Restoration
9:00-12:00
The Policy Forum will focus on potential changes to Minnesota law that will allow individuals with juvenile and criminal records to ultimately overcome, through appropriate steps, the many barriers that have been placed in the way of their restoration as fully contributing members of our communities. Policy proposals and position papers accepted until Oct 1.
The Politics of State and National
Criminal Justice Policy:
Moving Beyond the Era of Mass Incarceration and Perpetual Punishment
1:00-4:30
The Community Forum will focus on the changes that need to occur both locally and nationally in order to end the recent trend and move toward a new focus on restoration. It will include an examination of the importance of racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
The Council on Crime and Justice convenes the Minnesota Justice Forum, with the support of community partners, to bring policymakers and community leaders together to create just and effective criminal justice policy.
2009 COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
For more information, contact:
Mark Haase
Director of Public Policy Council on Crime and Justice
612-353-3020
New Tools for a Diverse and Safe Workforce CLE
06/29/2009
New Tools for a Diverse and Safe Workforce:
Minnesota’s New Safe Hiring and Ban the Box Laws Increase Diversity and Limit Employer Liability
June 29th, 2009
University of St. Thomas School of Law
1101 Harmon Place, Room 235
Minneapolis, MN
Learn how two new laws developed by the Council on Crime and Justice and signed by Governor Pawlenty on May 11th will help employers to adopt practices that increase employment opportunities for individuals with criminal histories while limiting employer liability. Because of the disproportionate numbers of Minnesotans of color with a criminal history, adoption of these new policies will also help employers to develop a more diverse workforce. One law limits the admissibility of an employee’s criminal history information in civil actions. The other requires public employers to wait until a job applicant has been selected for an interview before asking about criminal records or conducting a background check.
Discuss the impact of recent legislation on both public and private hiring policies. Explore the various implications for employers, their counsel, and the legal profession, as well as the real-life consequences for people with criminal records.
Location:
University of St. Thomas School of Law 1000 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Time:
Monday, June 29th
1:00pm-4:00pm
Presenters:
Judge Pamela Alexander
President, Council on Crime and Justice
Ebony Ruhland,
Director of Research, Council on Crime and Justice
Mark Haase Director of Public Policy, Council on Crime and Justice
Carl Crosby Lehmann, Attorney, Gray, Plant, Mooty.
For more information, contact:
Mark Haase, Director of Public Policy
Council on Crime and Justice haasem@crimeandjustice.org
The 2008 Equal Justice Benefit was a Great Success!
The Council on Crime and Justice gathered with over 100 friends at the lovely PillsburyMansion, home of our very generous hosts Uri & Melissa Camarena, on December 10th, 2008, to honor and celebrate Tom Johnson by presenting him with the 2008 Equal Justice Award.
Louise Bjorkman
Jerry Blackwell
Kathleen Blatz & Wheelock Whitney
Tom & Susie Boardman
John & Sage Cowles
Judy Dayton
Charlton Dietz
John Eisberg
Holly Eng
Dolly Fiterman
Lynn & Steven Foley
Barbara Forster & Larry Hendrikson
James & Barbara Hetland
John & Martha Gabbert
Anne & Peter Heegaard
Todd & Jill Jackson
Larry & Susan King
Jennifer Labovitz
David and Randy Lebedoff
Leland Lynch & Terri Saario
Malcolm & Patricia McDonald
Bonnie McPhee & James Prokopanko
Mike & Shirley Miles
David & Karen Nasby
Governor Al & Gretchen Quie
Rebecca Rand
Dr. Brian Rank & Joyce Yoshimura
Cindie & Jim Smart
Doug Skor
Richard & Nancy Solum
Tom Tinkham & Jacquelyn Hauser
Richard Venegar
Roberta Walburn
Penny Winton
Over the past fifty years Minnesota’s population has not quite doubled, from 3.4 million in 1957 to 5.2 million in 2005. The state’s prison population, however, has increased six-fold, from about 1,500 in 1957 to 9,000 in early 2007. Several factors are important to note. The first is that although Minnesota’s prison population has historically been one of the lowest, per capita, in the country, it is now one of the fastest growing. Over the last 10 years alone, it has grown from 5,500 to 9,000. Additionally, persons of color currently make up 42% of that prison population, but only 14% of the general population. This disproportionate representation of persons of color, not just in our prisons but throughout our criminal justice system, is quite recent as well. It has developed over the past two decades, in tandem with major demographic shifts in our state. It has also developed in parallel with alarming drop-out rates among children of color in many of our schools.
On Wednesday, October 10th, at a day-long Community Forum at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Council will present findings on the key developments affecting the criminal justice system and public safety in Minnesota over the past fifty years. Based on these developments, the Council will then present a proposal, a “Framework for the Future”, with recommendations for positive change in the future. We are undertaking this project with expert advice from Hazel Reinhardt, Minnesota’s state demographer for many years, and from an Advisory Group chaired by Judge Diana E. Murphy, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge, and Ron James, CEO of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures at the University of St. Thomas. While focused on Minnesota, we believe that the results of this project will have national significance.
The 2007 Equal Justice Benefit featured award-winning author and futurist Malcolm Gladwell and commemorated our 50th Anniversary! Mr. Gladwell spoke at our annual fundraiser on Tuesday, October 9th, beginning with a reception at 5:30pm at the Pantages Theatre. He addressed the findings of our 50th Anniversary research examining the key developments that have shaped Minnesota's Criminal Justice System over the past half-century.
Malcolm Gladwell has been a staff writer with The New Yorker magazine since 1996. His 1999 profile of Ron Popeil won a National Magazine Award, and in 2005 he was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. He is the author of two books, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference," (2000) and "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" (2005), both of which were number one New York Times bestsellers.
Equal Justice Award Benefit Honoring Jerry Blackwell
10/01/2006
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2006 Equal Justice Benefit!
The event, held at Theatre de la Jeune Lune, was successful by all accounts. We enjoyed great food and drink, had the opportunity to celebrate with some good friends and some new friends, and raised significant funds for our cause.
We were particularly pleased to recognize Jerry Blackwell’s work toward justice with the 2006 Equal Justice Award. And we were thrilled to have all of our former Equal Justice Awardees present at the event as well.
A special thanks to our generous sponsors, Minnesota Law and Politics, The Regis Foundation, and Robins, Kaplan, Miller, and Ciresi and to our long list of generous event Hosts.
Joe Anthony and Megan Mourning
Andris Baltins
Tom and Susan Boardman
Ann and Mike Ciresi
Jay Cowles
Sage and John Cowles
John Eisberg
Jon P. Erickson
Charlie and Anne Ferrell
Barbara Forster and Larry Hendrickson
John and Martha Gabbert
Bud and Beverly Grossman
Ann Marie Hanrahan
Doug and Martha Head
Anne and Peter Heegaard
B. Todd Jones and Margaret Jones
Sam and Sylvia Kaplan
Marlene and Tom Kayser
Bill and Pat Kelly
Larry and Susan King
Jennifer and Mark Labovitz
David and Randy Lebedoff
Dennis and Gail Mathisen
Malcolm and Patricia McDonald
Mike and Shirley Miles
John and Jane Mooty
John and Sheila Morgan
Vance Opperman
Lawrence and Linda Perlman
Michelle and Bill Pohlad
Rebecca Rand
Paula and Walter Richey
Rick and Nancy Solum
Mary Strand and Tom Fraser
Roberta Walburn
David and Ruth Waterbury
Call to Justice Improving Racial Justice & Enhancing Public Safety
06/28/2006
Call to Justice
Improving Racial Justice & Enhancing Public Safety
The Council on Crime and Justice will host a large public event, the Call to Justice Forum, on June 28th. The day-long event takes place at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis. The forum serves as an opportunity to unveil the findings and recommendations of five years of research conducted by the Council. The purpose of the research was to examine why Minnesota’s justice system has some of the largest racial disparities in the nation, and to understand the negative effect of those disparities on public safety and on the community as a whole. The Council has enlisted 66 partner organizations to develop action steps to address this issue at the June 28th forum. Partners include the mayors and police chiefs of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Public School District, the Itasca Project, the Legal Rights Center, Hennepin County, Ramsey County and several minority bar associations, the Minnesota Psychological Association, Jewish Community Action, African American Men Project, Headwaters, Metro State University, the Minneapolis and St. Paul Foundations, and a number of corporate and legal entities including General Mills, 3M, Maslon Edelman, and Dorsey and Whitney.
Equal Justice Award Benefit Honoring Mike and Penny Winton
10/01/2005
Equal Justice Award Benefit Honoring David Nasby
10/01/2004
'Partners in Crime' A Cabaret
09/01/2004
Parent and Youth Project Crime Prevention Summits Outcomes
09/26/2003
On Friday, September 26, 2003, approximately 70 people attended the Council's Parent & Youth Summit, including community members, teachers, students, service providers, as well as criminal justice and educational system stakeholders. The Summit was held at the Holiday Inn on the East Side of St. Paul.
An impressive group of speakers presented at the Summit. (Break out sessions addressed issues from Tattoo removal to Truancy). Our Keynote speaker, Rev. Devin Miller, gave a bracing speech. And Special Guest, Justice Alan Page, conducted a stimulating discussion with participants. We are very grateful to all of the people who volunteered their time to the Council to participate in the Summit’s discussions and presentations.
Equal Justice Award Benefit Event Former Minnesota Governor Al Quie
09/01/2003
On the evening of September 25th, 2003, a benefit event was hosted for the Council by some of our generous supporters, at a spectacular loft overlooking the Mississippi. The purpose of the event was two-fold. First, it was an opportunity to present the Council’s Equal Justice Award to former Minnesota Governor and Congressman Al Quie, also a longtime member of the Council’s Board of Directors. The award was presented in recognition of Governor Quie’s important work with offenders and of his work promoting educational achievement as a means to avoid crime. Secondly, the event was an opportunity to raise funds and visibility for the Council. The event exceeded our expectations in every way. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and who showed such interest in and generosity toward the Council’s work. And once again, our best wishes and congratulations to Governor Quie.
Below are photos from the event: (click on any image to enlarge)
L to R: Board member Bonnie McPhee; Anne Heegard; Leou Cooper; Shirley Miles; Council Board Chair Mike Miles
"Stevie", a film by award-winning producer, raises timely questions about the criminal justice system, social responsibility and family loyalties.
With the generous support of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, the Council on Crime and Justice hosted a special screening of the new documentary "Stevie". The event benefited the Council on Crime and Justice and the proceeds were shared with Family Support Network. Producer Gordon Quinn was present.
"Stevie" earned notable critical acclaim and is the work of the makers of the prize-winning documentary “Hoop Dreams”, one of the most popular documentaries of all time.
The film chronicles several years in the life of a troubled young man in rural Illinois, and the forces that shaped his life, through the eyes of his one-time "Advocate Big Brother", director Steve James. The film's production company, Kartemquin Films, has a long history of making films with a social conscience. In keeping with this tradition, Kartemquin made an unusual arrangement with the film's distributor, Lions Gate Films for one pre-release screening to benefit a local non-profit working in the areas of juvenile justice and juvenile victimization and delinquency prevention, in each major city where the film opens.
In Minneapolis/St. Paul, the beneficiary wais the Council on Crime and Justice!
First Equal Justice Award Benefit Event Honoring Gisela Konopka
10/01/2002
The Council on Crime and Justice held its first ever Benefit Event in October 2002. The event, generously hosted by Anne and Peter Heegaard, was attended by some 150 guests. Both old and new Council friends and supporters, clients, board members, community leaders and members, and staff came to support the Council's work, and to honor the inimitable Gisela (Gisa) Konopka, whose work defending the rights of at-risk youth is legendary. The event was a resounding success! Many thanks to all who came and contributed generously to the energy and warmth of the evening as well as to the Council’s bottom line.
That evening, Gisa became the first recipient of the Council's Equal Justice Award, for her many remarkable contributions to social justice. We will miss her, but her legacy remains with us forever.
Below are pictures taken from the event. (click on any image to enlarge)
Left to Right: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar, Reverend Al Gallmon
The Crowd
Right to Left:Mayor Rybak, Herman Milligan,
Jesse Overton and friend
Left to Right:Marian Etzwiler and Ruth Waterbury
Left to Right:David Waterbury,
Reverend Gallmon and friend
Left to Right:Governor Quie, event host Peter Heegaard,
and Council founding member Dick Ericson
We built this event around the remarkable career of Dr. Gisela Konopka, who was our honoree. Dr. Konopka, Professor Emeritus and founder of the Konopka Institute at the University of Minnesota, has devoted her long and energetic life to improving the lives and prospects of at risk youth. She has also encouraged many adults to mentor and work with young people to provide them with the support they need to grow and thrive.
