When Community Shows Up in Unexpected Places

Sojourner Family Peace Center is fortunate to receive support from many corners of the community, and every so often, a gesture arrives that reminds us just how deep generosity can run. Recently, the women at the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center (REECC) chose to donate $1,431 to support our work — a contribution made not from abundance, but from intention, solidarity, and heart. 

At REECC, a restorative justice committee meets monthly to plan activities and two annual fundraisers. These efforts often align with awareness months, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a month that resonates deeply with many of the women. Some have used similar resources in the past. Others know someone who has. All understand the importance of support, safety, and healing. 

Participation is always voluntary. The women decide for themselves whether to take part. Fundraisers often involve small comforts, like ordering pizza, where a portion of each purchase goes toward the chosen cause. Anyone who wants to contribute more can do so. Every choice to participate is an act of agency. 

REECC offers programs that help women build skills, confidence, and stability from the Earned Release Program to technical training, education, and work release opportunities in the community. These programs help women imagine a different future, and acts of giving become part of that growth. 

When asked what the donation meant, the captain shared that it was about women supporting other women. Their contribution reflects empathy, solidarity, and a desire to give back to services that have helped them or their loved ones.  

For some, participating is a step toward redemption. For others, it’s a way to model generosity for their children. For all, it’s a reminder that they can make a difference.  

Through work release programs, housing partnerships, and reentry support, REECC encourages women to stay connected to the community they will one day return to. Acts of giving reinforce that connection. They help women practice leadership, decision‑making, and compassion — qualities that matter long after release. 

The captain hopes the broader community will see the women not through assumptions, but through their humanity — their capacity for generosity, growth, and care. Many have very limited financial resources, yet they chose to give. They chose empathy. They chose community.  

We are deeply grateful for this donation not just for the funds, but for the spirit behind it. It reminds us that compassion can come from unexpected places, and that community is strongest when everyone is included.