igniting community
igniting community
Our Vision We build transformative environments for youth and adults to heal, find purpose, and build meaningful lives of service.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As I reflect on this past year, 2024 has really been about igniting community. From the restarting of our circles inside New Folsom to the tremendous, concrete change from our work with Project Restore in Brooklyn, NY, where the leaders of rival gangs made different choices that de-escalated violence, rather than escalating it, to our work-sharing circle in the Netherlands, Inside Circle made space to heal. We created space to talk about our trauma and discover that much of that trauma is shared with others. That simple act of truly talking and truly listening enables connection and transformational change that ripples back into our communities.
As the work continues in 2025, I’m concerned with the rise of fear and distrust, as I witness more and more communities being torn apart. I don’t know what the future brings; it’s a time when emotions of all kinds are running high, but I know that fear cannot drive us. Inside Circle doesn’t have the luxury of shrinking back in the face of fear: we have a responsibility to get out on the front lines and do what needs to be done.
The world is in need of healing, and IC has a mandate to empower system-impacted people to change from within to eliminate physical, emotional, and spiritual violence. That’s what we’ve done and what we will do. In times of fear and desperation, we come together and re-dedicate ourselves to the work of igniting community. What I know and have seen on the ground is that there have been so many times when fear could have won, but it didn’t because of Inside Circle.
I’m proud to share this report on our impact over 2024 and the work we have accomplished as a model of healing in practice.
Eldra Jackson III Executive Director
“I don’t know what the future brings; it’s a time when emotions of all kinds are running high, but I know that fear cannot drive us.”
igniting community
Our Mission
Inside Circle empowers system-impacted people to lead change from within by providing opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to heal and serve both themselves and others. We exist to reduce recidivism and all forms of violence — physical, emotional, and psychological — in our prisons and communities.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Speaking as both the Board Chair and as an alumnus, I can affirm from personal experience the deep and lasting impact of Inside Circle. This work is a constant call to accountability and a space where we can do what feels unthinkable inside prison: share our feelings and vulnerabilities. But it’s through this sharing that we find community and make the change.
This past year was an event-filled one for Inside Circle. In addition to the programmatic work that continued to grow regionally, nationally, and internationally, we re-dedicated ourselves as a Board, welcoming new Board and Advisory Board members. We focused on strengthening our Board committees and wrestled with challenging issues of balancing priorities to ensure a strong foundation for much-needed growth, including bringing core administrative work inhouse. The Board has been living into our intentions and supporting good governance habits while remaining grounded in the spirit of lived expertise and credible messengers guiding our work as an organization.
I’m proud to share our impact and growth in 2024 as we continue to imagine a future grounded in healing.
Manuel Ruiz Chairman
“This work is a constant call to accountability and a space where we can do what feels unthinkable inside prison: share our feelings and vulnerabilities.”
YEAR IN REVIEW
OUR WORK in 2024:
2024 was a year of critical growth for Inside Circle. Our Board spent 2023 focused on building internal strength and capacity, and that commitment enabled some exceptional opportunities, lessons, and growth.
As always, we focus on our work inside, our work in the community, and our work to bridge between the two. In 2024, we’re proud to report expanding our impact by deepening our work at home in California, achieving national success with youth programming, and extending our reach internationally.
INSIDE PROGRAMS: In 2024 we expanded both the reach and impact of our programming. We launched inaugural circles at Solano State Prison and received the green light to begin work at Sierra Conservation Center, doubling the number of prisons served in California. Our work continued at both California Medical Facility and California State Prison, Sacramento where, after much advocacy, we hosted our first four-day intensive in over six years. We’re profoundly grateful to have provided this deep dive for the men there to augment their weekly circles and provide the full experience depicted in our film, The Work.
BRIDGING PROGRAMS: Project Restore in Brooklyn, NY was a remarkable multi-agency partnership demonstrating the importance of Inside Circle as the glue that held the program together. The remarkable achievement was when the two rival gangs held off an escalation of violence thanks to their work with Inside Circle. It’s a concrete example of lives saved and communities helped by our work. While the project has concluded, the evaluation report is a landmark in community wellbeing, and we’re anticipating a follow-up project in 2025.
In New Jersey, our ongoing Youth Empowerment Program (YAE) continues to strengthen, and we’re gathering a task force to analyze the successful collaboration with the Healing Home in Washington, DC. This project provides safe reentry housing for young people, and we believe can be a model for a healing home of our own.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: In Memphis, TN, Inside Circle’s first year at Shelby County Jail was a powerful testament to the impact of deep intentional work. National staff and trusted local messengers led the formation of a close-knit circle where healing, accountability, and transformation took root. Notably, participants experienced a deescalation of violence and a reduction in the severity of infractions, indicating a positive cultural shift within the facility. The program’s influence also extended beyond the jail walls, as it fostered support circles for individuals reentering their communities. This dual approach enabled us to see a positive impact in a short period of time.
Expanding its reach globally, Inside Circle took an inspiring journey to the Netherlands. Dr. James McLeary and Eldra Jackson conducted two transformative trainings for community members and volunteers, aiming to establish Inside Circle groups within the Dutch prison system. A pivotal moment of the trip was the screening of the documentary The Work at the Zaanstad Justice Complex. This event, followed by a thought-provoking Q&A session and circle discussion, sparked meaningful dialogue among prisoners, staff, social workers, and representatives from The Hague, showcasing the potential for positive transformation within the correctional system.
Inside Circle’s unwavering dedication to igniting community and fostering connection continues to inspire and empower individuals and communities worldwide.
Over 2,000 hours of engagement across our various programs over the year
3 Public Outside Circle Intensives (2 events in CA and 1 event in NYC) Weekly circles were held at 13 sites
Over 2,600 people experienced Inside Circle’s unique healing medicine
12 weekend intensives held to deepen programmatic work
YEAR IN REVIEW
INSIDE CIRCLE AT HOME AND ABROAD
In 2024, Inside Circle worked across the country and abroad building circles, building community, and growing local capacity for lasting change.
In person Circles inside correctional facilities
1. New Folsom—Weekly Healing Circle Folsom, CA
2. California Medical Facility Weekly Healing Circle Vacaville, CA
3. CSP Solano Weekly Healing Circle Vacaville, CA
4. Jamestown Healing Circle Jamestown, CA
5. Shelby County Jail Weekly Healing Circle Memphis, TN
6. New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission weekly healing circles in person & virtual Trenton, NJ
7. Guest Healing Circle Los Guilicos Juvenile Detention Center Santa Rosa, CA
In person Circles in the community
1. DC Healing Home Circles Washington D.C.
2. YAE Empower Group 1 & 2 Circle Trenton & Newark, NJ
3.
4.
5. H.U.B.B. Community Development Training Newark, NJ
6. Halsey Community Development Training Trenton, NJ
7. Pyramid House Community Development Training Newark, NJ
OUR WORK
TESTIMONIALS
Greatness is hard, y’all. I never saw myself outside of my hurt, habits, trauma, and hangups. Now that I’m here, exploring new dimensions and hues in life’s glory, I’m in awe of the awesomeness of floating beyond trauma, pain, and insecurities that once had me believing in ceilings. Now I am living free while still in prison—and helping others to live free as well.
The Inside Circle weekend has been an experience that has changed my life for the better.... In slowing down I have been able to truly connect with parts of myself that I have locked off and I have suppressed and I have repressed and to reconnect with those feelings, those parts of myself that I have buried and it’s been a pleasure to do that in space with other people who are so willing to also do their work so it’s not just one of us but all of us who get our medicine together.
Anonymous ”
Anonymous ” “
EDUCATION & ADVOCACY
OUR IMPACT
Inside Circle’s impact extends far beyond the walls of any single space. It lives in the stories we share, the perspectives we shift, and the communities we build. This year, we deepened our commitment to education and advocacy by expanding conversations, creating new spaces for dialogue, and ensuring that voices from the inside continue to resonate in the world beyond.
At the heart of this effort is the Inside Circle Podcast, which evolved in 2024 to amplify personal transformation and highlight collective change. This year’s episodes explored powerful narratives of resilience and reconciliation, featuring stories from individuals on both sides of the justice system. In a groundbreaking moment, we reflected on a full year of impact with our first-ever year-in-review episode, capturing the milestones and momentum defining our journey.
Beyond the podcast, our advocacy work took on new dimensions. Inside Circle programming crossed international borders for the first time, establishing a presence inside the Zaanstad Justice Center in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, in the U.S., we reignited healing circles inside New Folsom Prison after six years, reaffirming our commitment to those seeking growth and accountability within incarcerated spaces.
Our monthly newsletter has continued to be a bridge between those on the inside and those walking in solidarity on the outside. At the same time, our PenPal Program has strengthened bonds through correspondence, fostering connection in spaces where isolation is often the norm. Through storytelling, education, and advocacy, we are shifting the narrative about incarceration—not just by challenging outdated perspectives but by proving, time and again, that transformation is possible, sustainable, and deeply human.
OUR TEAM
THE TEAM BEHIND THE MISSION
We want to acknowledge, with deep gratitude, our dedicated staff and facilitators whose unwavering commitment to this work forms the foundation of everything we do.
STAFF
AARON BURRIS, Programs Director, transformed his life after 22 years of incarceration, moving from a past of violence to one of leadership, advocacy, and healing. Now an entrepreneur, husband, father, and youth mentor, he is passionate about sharing the recovery and transformation that saved his life with others.
ELDRA JACKSON III, Executive Director, is a writer, speaker, and Inside Circle leader whose transformation began inside New Folsom Prison. After his release in 2014, he dedicated himself to mentorship, youth outreach, and redefining masculinity through personal development and rehabilitation work.
FELIX MICKENS, Community Engagement Strategist, brings over 25 years of experience in juvenile justice, including a decade overseeing New Jersey’s Juvenile Justice Commission operations. At Inside Circle, he leverages his expertise to expand our programs and deepen support for justice-involved youth.
ARI ROSEN, Programs Coordinator, is a chef, restaurateur, and founder of Corazón Healdsburg. Since attending an Inside Circle weekend intensive in 2017, he has been a dedicated facilitator in Vacaville, bringing compassionate leadership to our prison programs and expanding our impact.
VERÓNICA VARGAS, Youth Justice & Reentry Specialist, has over 20 years of experience designing re-entry and therapeutic programs in various settings. Influenced by her upbringing in a singleparent immigrant home, she is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities and building pathways for successful re-entry.
Deepest gratitude to our team of facilitators, including Natasha Taylor, Randy Rusk, Min Harris, Cindy Christensen, Martha Preble, Maggie Anderson, Manuel Ruiz, Dr. James McLeary, Jairus McLeary, Rick Misener, and Roxanne Burroughs. This past year, our team has navigated truly challenging waters and brought significant breakthroughs between staff and residents at facilities in Tennessee, among rivals in New York, and inspired colleagues across the globe. Our work challenges traditional methodologies and lays the groundwork for profound societal change.
SUSTAINED GROWTH & FINANCIAL STRENGTH:
We remain committed to strengthening our grant funding and expanding our organizational budget to meet the growing demand for our work. Even in a challenging economic climate and an election year, individual giving remained steady, with only a slight decline from the previous year. We offset this by more than doubling our earned revenue and increasing grant support by an impressive 46%, including expanded public funding and long-term contracts that ensure sustained collaborations. At a time when funding is tightening across the board, this growth is a powerful testament to the impact, credibility, and lasting value of our work.
*Note: 2024 financials have not yet been audited and includes all funds pledged for 2024.
GROWTH FROM 2023:
For the second consecutive year, we achieved 33% revenue growth, demonstrating strong and sustained momentum. Our grant funding increased by 46%, driven by a strategic effort to diversify funding sources, including a notable rise in private foundation support. This continued growth reflects our expanding impact and the trust our partners place in our mission.
LOOKING AHEAD
FUTURE GOALS:
As we move into the second year of our three-year strategic plan, we’re proud of the significant progress we’ve made—welcoming new Board members, bringing essential functions in-house, and evolving staff roles to support our growth. With a strong foundation in place, we remain focused on our strategic priorities for the year ahead:
INVESTMENT IN FACILITATORS: Our facilitators are the heart of Inside Circle, driving transformation in every space they enter. Last year, we expanded our team by adding three new facilitators and bringing another on as full-time staff. As demand continues to grow, we plan to add three to four more trained facilitators this year while codifying our facilitator training program to support future expansion and replication.
INVESTMENT IN BUILDING OUR BOARD: Expanding both Board capacity and membership remains a priority as we scale our infrastructure and deepen our impact. In 2024, we welcomed TJ (Tina Jones) to our Board and Roth Herlinger to our Advisory Board. Looking ahead, we plan to recruit additional Board members in 2025, ensuring Inside Circle’s growth remains intentional, sustainable, and mission-driven.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: Home is more than just a place to live—it is the foundation for safety, dignity, and true transformation. It is where we are at our most vulnerable and should be where we feel the most secure. Yet, for many coming home from incarceration, that foundation is uncertain. As a community, we must ensure that everyone has a space where healing is possible, because resources that support the individual ultimately strengthen the entire community.
This year, we are convening a task force to assess lessons learned and develop a business plan and capital campaign strategy for our own healing-centered transitional home. This non-traditional space will provide reentry housing and ongoing training for facilitators, and serve as a national hub for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. More than just a shelter, it will be a place designed to uphold dignity, beauty, and deep transformation—ensuring that those who step through its doors have the support they need to build a new future.
WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Our deepest appreciation for the steadfast support of our donors and partners. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue our work during challenging times, bringing hope and transformation to countless lives at the moment it’s most needed. Together, we’ve made concrete progress, built lasting partnerships that will shift systems once thought immovable, and impacted thousands of lives for the better.
As we chart our course for 2025 and beyond, your continued collaboration remains essential. Thank you for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us as we forge ahead to translate our most cherished dreams of an inclusive just future into a tangible reality through collective action and shared purpose.
DONORS
500,000+
Annie E. Casey Foundation
$50,000–$499,999
Michelle & Gordon Brown*^
City of New York
Crankstart Foundation
N2 Stone Foundation
Shelby County, Tennessee
State of California
$10,000–$49,999
Blu Sky 1%
Neil Kumar & Shruti Haldea
National Philanthropic Trust
Palmetto Project Inc.
The Ralph S. Hoffman Foundation
Carol Ryan
Sierra Health Foundation
The Trium Group
Wild Health
$5,000–$9,999
Holiday Johnson
Mark Krassner
Karen Piretti Rosen
$1,000–$4,999
Andrew & Lisa Blum ^
Jeff Buenrostro*^
Monica Chi
Darren Gold
Jennifer Jerde
David Lavin
Outside Circle Supporters
Greg J. Mellor ^
Jake Messing
Messing Family Charitable Foundation
Maren Liv Pedersen
Scott Raymond
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Spencer Sherman
Simply Always Awake
Steve Taylor
Judy Tretheway
$500–$999
Donald Berry
Rio Bethune
Jinwha Choi
Robert Deliefde
Mary Hackenbracht
Roth Herrlinger
T.J. Jones ^
Taya Levine
Vern Ludwig
Els Meijer
Jake Reason
$200–$499
Phillip Baker
Al Sawyer Brown
Angela Bucher
Jessica Campbell
Christopher W. Davis
Dan Devine
Ann L. Jacobs
Ali Kate Lodise
Thomas J. Nerger
Patrick J. Oneill
$200–$499 continued
Ari Rosen ^
Gremesha Session
Jackie Shea
Nina Simonds
Hariette de Swaan Arons
Up to $199
Stephen R. Balkam
Michael & Madelyn Bender
Sarah Lundy Boudreaux
Fred Burks
Frances & Frank Dawson
Maraba DiRaddo
Alex Edelstein
Maria Edwards
Tony Evenson
John Faubion
Christopher Fenaroli
Riccardo A. Gale
Susan Gallagher
Give Lively
Kimberly Hamilton Lam
Rachel Malensek Hauseur
Shawn Hawk
Matthew Howells-Barby
Wes Janz
David Kim
Barbara Klein
Jesse Kriss
Heather Kwok
Douglas L. Stern
Saskia McCafferty
Marissa Lluch Morell
Davis Mosenkovs
Crispian Mudd
Outside Circle Attendees
Charles Peters
Sarah Pollak
Kimo Quaintance
Clifton Scott
Andrew Shantz
Miles Smith
Peter Sorlien
Catherine Sparling
Nadya Lutz Studios, LLC
Olga Terekhin
USIT Foundation
Karen Wadsworth
James White
Eric Williams
^ Indicates an Inside Circle Board Member
* Means a donation pledged for 2024 but made outside the 2024 calendar year.
DONATE TODAY
Each dollar you donate helps us to build urgently needed transformative environments in prisons and communities to heal trauma, build life skills, and find purpose. Donate today. Support us in reducing violence, diverting youth from lives of incarceration, and creating truly sustainable personal and systemic change.
In addition to online donations, we accept cryptocurrency and gifts of stock. You can also mail checks to:
Inside Circle | 4540 Florin Road, Suite E 344 Sacramento, CA 95823
SACRAMENTO
Donation and Billing Mailbox 4540 Florin Road, Suite E 344 Sacramento, CA 95823
SAN FRANCISCO
Inmate and Returning Citizen Mailbox 2443 Fillmore St. #380-4123 San Francisco, CA 94115
www.insidecircle.org
