Just Communities Arizona

We continued the winter tradition we started as AFSC-Arizona by holding a party to address holiday cards to incarcerated people. We had wonderful attendance and managed to finish all the cards in one night. The report compiling the results and analysis of our Reimagining Community Safety (RCS) survey was released on September 12, 2023. The full report as well as Executive Summary (in English and Spanish) and interactive data dashboard are available on our webpage. The report was made available (via email) to a broad range of stakeholders, including City Council Members, the Pima County Attorney, Tucson's Police Chief, The Pima County Sheriff, and other local leaders. We have collaborated with a local coalition to oppose the expansion of the Pima County Jail. We have worked to educate the Board of Supervisors and the public about the cost-effectiveness of alternatives to incarceration. Our pilot for the Community Safety Incubator projects in the Fairgrounds neighborhood was very successful. JCA sponsored a series of neighborhood cleanups as well as a public event to paint and decorate macetas (planters made from old tires) and signs to put up around the neighborhood asking people to slow down while driving. At the Fiesta, we unveiled a custom-made "little free library" that was installed across the street from the park, stocked with books donated by Barrio Books. The fiesta also featured carne asada, hot dogs and hamburgers, information tables from local organizations, as well as games and prizes for kids.

We hired two Co-Researchers, both former residents and house managers of Earnest House, to help us with the survey of EH residents. We surveyed the residents three separate times and collected a total of 30 responses. Due to the high rates of turnover, very few residents responded more than once. However, the data points to clear positive impacts on resident outcomes.

Between January and October of 2023, our Expungement Advocates engaged in a total of 214 outreach activities (flyering, street outreach, or presentations). In total, they reached 3,806 individual contacts!