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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

@thecfsy.bsky.social
142 followers 100 following 335 posts

We're working to ban life without parole and other extreme sentences for children in the United States. cfsy.org

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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
We were introduced to oak spring garden foundation through our dear mutual friend Linda White. Her legacy of care was present in every element of our time together as we cultivated herbs, picked vegetables, arranged flowers, prepared lunch, learned self-care techniques, and made new friends.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
We’re happy to be part of the 2026 United Justice Coalition Summit again this year on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at The Shed Hudson Yards (NYC). 🔗 Register now: ujcsummit.lnk.to/UJC26 #UnitedForJustice #UJCSummit26 #ConnectedForChange #RocNation
ujcsummit.lnk.to
UJC Summit 2026
Go to UJC Summit 2026.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A special thank you to our partners at Public Welfare Foundation and Akin Gump for hosting us and making these moments possible!
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🔨 Leveraged a tool to map our individual styles and strengths 🥅 Set goals for the year to come 🤝 Reflected on our amazing partnerships 🎳 Bowled with the board of directors, local ICAN members, and others in our community 🍞 Broke bread and caught up with one another
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We have a dedicated team across the country. While it’s rare to come together as a whole, it’s always extraordinarily meaningful when we do. Last week, we convened in Washington, DC, alongside our wonderful Board of Directors, where we:
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Happy Anniversary, Maryland! 🎂 Join us today as we celebrate progress, honor the people moving us forward, and recognize the power of our community!
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Through their stories, the series explores the lasting impact of youth incarceration in the United States, highlights the power of lived experience, and challenges us to reimagine what accountability can look like. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: www.buzzsprout.com/2598463/epis...
buzzsprout.com
Before They Could Dream: An Exploration of Youth Justice and Incarceration in the United States
Before They Could Dream is a seven-episode podcast series that explores the history, lived experiences, and lasting impact of youth incarceration in the United States.  The Aspen Institute’s Foru...
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Happy #InternationalPodcastDay! 🎧 Today, we’re celebrating Before They Could Dream, a podcast that centers the voices and expertise of formerly extreme sentenced children.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Grateful to join RBIJ for their conference on Business, Justice, & The Next 250 last week! We are always grateful for the opportunity to convene with partners in the business community as we work to support pathways to prosperity for ICAN members.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"I realized had more to do to become a whole person." Listen to the full 'Doing Sorry: Why Restorative Justice is Necessary for Serious Harm' conversation between Danielle Sered and Kempis 'Ghani' Songster, hosted by the Stoneleigh Foundation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeWEmrsK1Uw
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"We were reminded that sisterhood grows when we make space for each other’s voices, stories, and truths," says Catherine Jones, CFSY's Co-Director of Outreach & Partnership Development and founder of Heart to Heart (H2H) about this year's book club.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“I really want another opportunity to experience life again. I have inside me what I didn’t have before. The ability to love… And to allow myself to be loved.” Read more Letters from the Inside here: cfsy.org/get-involved...
cfsy.org
Letters from the Inside - Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth | CFSY
1,000 people who were sentenced to juvenile life without parole, condemned to die in prison as children, are now home and free.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Today, M is just a few credits away from earning certificates in Business Administration and Human Services Management. He is eagerly preparing for the future with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
As he worked to restore the depleted soil, M began to see himself in the garden. The lesson was simple but universal: transformation is possible when people are given the care and support they need to thrive.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“By trusting people that wanted me to do right, I became a new garden to cultivate new habits.” M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Reflections from a 2026 CFSY Community Care Retreat Participant 💛 Learn more here: cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Our community consists of dedicated professionals across many fields: entrepreneurs, reentry coaches, faith leaders, caregivers, and more. This #LaborDay, CFSY celebrates our community’s incredible work ethic and today’s well-earned day of rest.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I will continue to allow myself to learn new things, re‑learn old lessons, and grow in every way I’m given I can. As long as I’m blessed to see another day, I will do what I can to be the best (not perfect) husband, father, son, brother, friend, freedom fighter, and advocate."
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I stood firm in the things I’ve fought for and the truths I know to be mine. I didn’t let anyone rewrite my story. I didn’t let anyone shrink my purpose. I kept moving, kept growing, and kept standing on the principles that carried me through every challenge.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“I’ve weathered the storm of people who tried to become roadblocks in my life, the ones who tried to control my experiences, silence my voice, or convince me not to dream. Through all of that, I stayed rooted in my foundation.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This week, CFSY’s Co-Director of Outreach and Community Care Programs, Eddie Ellis, celebrated his 20th Freedom Anniversary! Reflecting on this monumental moment, Eddie shared:
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Drawing from his own experience, he spoke about the barriers created by felony convictions, the loss of civil rights that often follows incarceration, and the disproportionate impact these policies have on historically marginalized communities.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
CFSY's Donnell Drinks joined CFSY Board Member Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah for the National Bar Association's 101st Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee! Donnell participated in a panel exploring why incarceration and reentry are among the most pressing civil rights issues.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We were so grateful to learn alongside the directly impacted leaders who are building that culture in their communities. Thank you to our partners at Restore Justice and Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation for welcoming us!
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
These conversations were a powerful reminder that lasting change starts at the local level. Across every visit, we heard the same message: people are looking for spaces rooted in trust and belonging.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Members of our Movement Building Team traveled to Chicago to connect with ICAN and NFN members advancing reform, prevention, healing, and restorative justice on the South Side.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A special thank you to our Board Member Angela Vigil and Baker McKenzie for hosting us and helping create a space for collaboration and community!
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We had the opportunity to connect with partners, funders, and one another, building the relationships that make this work possible. We left feeling energized, inspired, and eager to continue advancing our collective vision!
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
That’s a wrap on CFSY’s second annual Development Team Retreat! Over two days in New York City, our team came together to reflect on our progress, strengthen our fundraising strategy, and align on priorities for the year ahead.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We read yet another profoundly hopeful and inspiring letter from the inside at our all-staff meeting today. These messages keep us going and keep us grounded. You can read a selection of the thousands of letters we receive here ✉️: cfsy.org/get-involved/lettersfromth…
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Reposted by Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
Juvenile Law Center @juvenilelawcenter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Between 2005-2016, the United States Supreme Court issued four groundbreaking decisions (Roper v. Simmons, Graham v. Florida, Miller v. Alabama, and Montgomery v. Louisiana) drastically altering sentencing practices for youth and confirming that youth are developmentally different from adults.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
In Fenced In: Fighting for Freedom, April tells the true story of a girl who became a woman behind bars. Fenced In is an unfiltered account of her struggles, personal growth, and how she copes through it all. Look through April’s collection here. www.amazon.com/stores/April...
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Since her release, April has become a leader in her North Carolina community, working as a peer support and reentry specialist, recovery coach, personal trainer, and steadfast advocate. She is also a prolific author of four books.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
April Barber was 15 years old and pregnant when she was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. In 2022, April earned one of the first commutations from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and after 31 years of incarceration, April finally came home.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Despite IRAA's demonstrated success, federal lawmakers continue to rely on fear-based rhetoric to seek roll back of this transformative legislation. Robert's story reminds us what's truly at stake. Read the full article here: 51st.news/opinion-seco...
51st.news
Congress shouldn't overturn D.C.'s second chance laws. I'm proof
At just 16 years old, I made a drastic decision that derailed my life. But I'm the beneficiary of a law that allowed me to redefine myself.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
ICAN member and founder of More Than Our Crimes, Robert Barton, shares this powerful message in his latest op-ed for The 51st. As a beneficiary of the DC's Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA), Robert is living proof of the power of second chances and accountability.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
“When incarcerated residents are encouraged to become civically engaged citizens, when they’re empowered to believe they can make a positive difference in the world, and when they’re given the tools to succeed, they can be truly accountable.”
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
CFSY’s Executive Director, Xavier McElrath-Bey, also spoke at the NCSL's “Youth Justice Fellows Reunion" as a youth justice expert, educating and inspiring them to help end extreme prison sentencing of children in America.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The CFSY team had the opportunity to return to the 2026 @ncslorg.bsky.social Legislative Summit in Chicago, Illinois! We spoke to the nation's lawmakers about why they should advance legislation that will end the extreme sentencing of children & create pathways home for those still behind bars.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
People v. Eads is a major win for Michigan and our entire movement, as it recognizes that decades-long sentences can amount to unconstitutional sentences when imposed on youth, opening the door of relief for extreme-sentenced children. Read our full press release here: cfsy.org/press-releas...
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the 50-to-75-year sentence imposed on James Eads for an offense committed when he was 16 years old is unconstitutional under the Michigan Constitution.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
He is also the author of "Twelve Points to Reentry, Redemption and Rehabilitation", sharing lessons learned from his own path of transformation. Like so many members of ICAN, Louis’ journey exemplifies the power of second chances. Read his full profile here: veritenews.org/2026/07/22/l...
veritenews.org
From life in prison at 17 to helping other youths
Since his release from prison in 2018, Louis Gibson worked as a reentry specialist with the Parole Project and now serves as a youth advocate in New Orleans, committed to helping those within the syst...
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Following his release, Louis became connected with our partners at the Louisiana Parole Project as a client, eventually joining their staff as a Reentry Specialist, and now serves on their Board of Directors.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
At just 17 years old, Louis Gibson was sentenced to life in prison. After spending decades inside the notorious Angola prison, Louis finally came home in 2018 thanks to the landmark Supreme Court case Montgomery v. Alabama.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Let's take care of ourselves and each other. Healing takes work, and many in our community have lingering trauma from the criminal legal system, from shorten childhoods to the heartache of losing a loved one. For more tips and resources, visit: cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Michael Williams was only 17 when he was given a death by incarceration sentence. After serving 32 years, he returned home committed to helping others as a recovery coach, restorative justice facilitator, and reentry navigator.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Inside Philanthropy profiled the MacArthur Foundation's 10-year Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), interviewing Xavier, CFSY's Executive Director, about its community-led approach. Read here! www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/a-l…
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
“I am a champion for education and second chances. I am also a survivor, a lifelong learner, and a person committed to helping others find hope, accountability, and opportunity," he says. "Most importantly, I embrace being a man of growth and transformation.”
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Bobby aims to use his experiences to help others avoid the mistakes he made, build stronger communities, and demonstrate that people are capable of growth, transformation, and positive change when given the opportunity.
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Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @thecfsy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
In addition to his work in the community, Bobby has remained active in criminal justice reform efforts and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the University of Baltimore.
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