COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

Envisioning Justice Solutions (EJS) is dedicated to the creation of an environment whereby criminal justice involved women and men can be provided with appropriate supervision, treatment, services and referrals to safely engage and succeed in their own recovery. EJS also provides a trauma curriculum for women who have been abused or have experienced trauma - for those incarcerated and their family members. Ms. Velda has been a volunteer at EJS for over 15 years, dedicating over 120 hours toward their mission every month. She facilitates “Bridging the Gap,” a program that runs six hours a day, four days a week aimed at supporting paroled women who have survived domestic violence and human trafficking after spending extensive time in prison. Her work has contributed to an 80% reduction in recidivism among program participants – a stark contrast to the 70% national average of individuals returning to prison within 3 years of release. Beyond these impactful initiatives, Ms. Velda teaches trauma-informed groups to incarcerated women at the California Women’s Facility. She has authored comprehensive Breakthrough Parenting classes for offenders, showcasing her dedication to holistic rehabilitation and personal growth.