Mano Amiga SM

Borealis Philanthropy-Spark Justice Fund1) Educate the public about the data we have gathered & will continue to gather regarding the criminal legal system.2) Continue to break down barriers of silence & stigma that surround the criminal legal system by sharing stories of directly impacted residents, as we have done in the past, with them lead the way on their own terms with our support. 3) Commit volunteers to join our campaign by engaging in public forums, community meetings, 1:1s, & social media.

NEO Funds - Use of funds to create and changes the conversation regarding criminal justice efforts in Hays Co. Sustained pressure from Mano Amiga forced the Hays Co Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission (HCCJCC) to resuscitate itself from a long demise, a body comprised of numerous chiefs of police, the sheriff & elected officials; HCCJCC now meets monthly, as do new Cite & Divert and Pretrial Services subcommittees.Similarly, we succeeded in urging San Marcos City Council to form a Criminal Justice Committee to examine enactment of Cite & Divert provisions, among other reforms, with action expected by November. Several committee members now attend HCCJCC meetings to support Mano Amigas aims

Additional grants and funding i.e. Seek Institute, Hays, Vera Institue were used to service the community through education, food delivery, and outreach activites for the community. In addition, funds were used to bail out people who couldnt afford their freedom.

Heising-Simons FoundationSuccesses: A) The fruition of a regional, holistic public defenders office (PDO)Successes: B) Defended our Cite & Release Ordinance Successes: C) Enhanced Libary IDs Launch