Equal Justice USA Inc

I have been a monthly contributor for several years. I appreciate the work that Equal Justice USA does to uphold the dignity of each individual. They support victims, incarcerated people, and those who work in the justice/legal system with the goal of justice, healing, and systemic reform.

Greetings...My name is Sharletta C Evans. I am the CEO and Founder of Colorado Crime Survivors Network, Inc. and the mother of Casson Xavier Evans, nick name (Biscuit). Casson's little life was taken by the hand of 3 teenagers in 1995. He was killled at the age of 3...you heard that right my son was 3 years old.

My life became a whirlwind
My first introduction to EJUSA was very positive, and encouraging and they gave me hope as a victim family member.

The Death Penalty had always been a subject matter and a caring factor to me. I oppose the DP and through the open door of opportunity I was able to share my time and voice to bring forth change. People often say, be the change that you want to see. EJUSA has truly been the change that they want to see.

Non bias, fair, Just, understanding and empowering. This is what I would say about EJUSA, as a victim family they gave me a chance to shine at a greater level and this produced healing for a mother to experiance.

Thank you.

Sharletta

The work of this organization is priceless. With dedicated employees and a thirst for justice, the world is a better place because of the work that they do.

I have had great experiences with EJUSA! It's a great organization with really exciting, mission-driven programming and a dedicated staff. Highly recommend!

As a former Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) volunteer, I've had a front row view of their work, and it's inspiring. This experience energized me to apply to join its board of directors. EJUSA helps local violence reduction and crime victim support groups in underserved communities raise resources so they can strengthen their life-saving programs and expand their reach. EJUSA lifts the voices of trauma survivors by providing support, training, and leadership development so their narratives inform changes to the criminal legal system. I'm honored to be part of this amazing and dedicated organization.

I have partnered in various ways with Equal Justice USA since 1999, when EJUSA began working with an organization I was then volunteering for - New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. EJUSA's partnership with NJADP turned out to be the pivotal moment in our effort, for EJUSA lent their expertise in organizing, communications, and advocacy to our then all-volunteer group. We ultimately repealed the death penalty in NJ in 2007, in no small part due to EJUSA's Shari Silberstein, who provided incredible strategic assistance over the course of our eight year campaign. I later witnessed EJUSA's hands on, groundbreaking work in seven other states that have ended the death penalty. Groundbreaking also describes EJUSA's work fighting for survivors of murder victims - something EJUSA has been committed to since their earliest death penalty campaigns. Their advocacy on behalf of survivors of violence has grown over many years and today they are nationally known leaders working in communities that have experienced the trauma of violence, including the violence of the justice system. EJUSA's vision is beautiful, inspiring, and important. EJUSA's team consists of talented, strategic, dedicated, kind, and selfless people. I only wish I could convey the depth of my respect for every one of them - for I have seen firsthand their commitment to making our world a better place. Now retired, I remain a huge fan and dedicated supporter-donor of EJUSA.

EJUSA has been very supportive of the Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing. EJ has always been interested in helping victim families of murder. I believe this is one of the best organizations in the country.

EJ staff has helped the Journey of Hope financially and in attending our events. I believe they have the best staff in America.

I worked in conjunction with EJUSA for several years as a law enforcement liaison. The planning and execution of their session curriculum is truly meaningful. The sessions that deal with police involved trauma bring forth genuine, long standing and problematic issues involving the relationships between the community and police.

The first session usually starts out as an "us against them" mentality by both the police officers and community members in attendance. The session, which has no preset seating, almost always starts out with police seated in one close-knit area and the community grouped at other tables. Through true real-life revelations, heart-breaking stories and past experiences from everyone, a bond develops between everyone that is amazing to witness.

I have heard citizens say and then all agree "I never pictured a cop as someone with kids who works nights and holidays and only gets called when tragedy strikes, that must be tough". I have seen an officer with tears in her eyes saying "I feel so drained sometimes, and when I get called at the end of my shift for something I think is nonsense, I realize now it seem like nonsense to me, but it's important to the person who called 911".

At the conclusion of the sessions, not everyone is in agreement with everyone. but... everyone in attendance now has heard a viewpoint other than their own. The most powerful and meaningful take-away from the sessions is that the community sees officers as human beings with feelings and families. Officers can now see the community members they interact with as much more than just a 911 call. Officers hear first-hand how previous positive or negative interactions with law enforcement, either in-person or through the media, can greatly influence a person's attitude toward police upon their arrival. Hopefully these sessions can increase everyone's compassion and tolerance during future law enforcement interactions.

The importance of EJUSA's mission affects everyone since inevitably, all of us, even cops, call the police. The realization by both officers and the community that a single law enforcement interaction can shape someone's view of police in a positive or negative way, is a hopeful and potent thought for our future.

EJUSA was my previous employer and I have nothing but great praise to sing of their staff and programs. The internal work that is being done at the organization, behind the scenes, allows each staff person to come into work with a strong commitment to racial equity and transforming the justice system. The analysis and insight and strategy discussions that are being had at EJUSA allow the organization to be trailblazers in their field. Leadership understands that the legislative wins that EJUSA secures (whether it is helping to end the death penalty in another state or enacting structural change to better provide support to survivors of violent crime) must also accompany "hearts and minds" work of personally embodying the change we want to see. I highly recommend donating to and collaborating with EJUSA whenever possible. It's a superb org!

I've worked with several EJUSA staffers and, as a small, one-person nonprofit in Ohio, I can't express my gratitude enough for the help they've given me! Their website has phenomenal resources that cover a broad range of criminal justice issues, their social media pages are always up to date and accurate, and my one-on-one conversations have helped me build and shape my organization to be more effective and impactful.

For anyone who works on justice issues, you know that trauma -- both personal and community trauma -- is an underlying yet often unaddressed factor. EJUSA's focus on healing trauma in the community and changing policies to support that paradigm is essential. This along with successes on their legacy issue of abolishing the death penalty makes EJUSA a unique and vital nonprofit organization.

Equal Justice USA is not only a crucial partner for Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), but an essential leader in nation-wide efforts to abolish the death penalty. Regular communication with EJUSA allows CMN to align itself with the national strategy and provides resources around messaging and tactics for cohesive organizing in the death penalty abolition movement. EJUSA's staff is professional, strategic, and a joy to work with.

EJUSA does amazing, creative work to promote a justice system built around violence prevention, healing, accountability, and fairness. EJUSA's staff is always warm and responsive, and they consistently offer unexpected ideas and sincere encouragement for our work in the community. I and the organization I lead have benefited tremendously from our relationship and work with EJUSA.

EJUSA is full of smart, strategic people with an unending dedication to their work. I had the pleasure of working with them for several years when I led their Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty project. From the beginning, they have been committed to working with disparate groups of people to achieve worthy goals, including building a better criminal justice system. I would (and do) highly recommend them!

EJUSA is amazing. Every one of their employees is dedicated, strategic, knowledgeable and helpful. We could not have had the same level of success without their work.

I work for Tennessee Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty and have worked closely with Equal Justice USA for 3 years. Everyone I have worked with at EJ is brilliant, dedicated, and passionate about the work. They are some of the most talented people I have had the pleasure of working with. Not only do they love the work they do, but they're strategic. They have helped us on legislative outreach, board development, and Tennessee specific grassroots outreach. I'm always very impressed by how much they are able to accomplish!

I was an employee of EJUSA for 10 years and am now a colleague in the criminal justice reform world. What makes EJUSA special is its thoughtful and strategic approach to addressing problems in the criminal justice system. EJUSA successfully collaborates with stakeholders to end the death penalty and collaborates with communities to address and treat trauma. EJUSA is especially strong at building authentic relationships with everyone they work with so that meaningful and lasting collaboration is possible. I have enormous respect and admiration for their work. I am proud to have been associated with them and I enjoy our continued work together.

We partner with EJUSA in our death penalty repeal effort in Louisiana. They are an invaluable partner and work closely with us on every facet of the campaign. Despite being one of our national partners, they have a real talent in emerging themselves totally in our State's unique political and organizing landscape. They contribute to the campaign in broad ways that really help us in establish a strategic and sustainable legislative organizing effort.

We have worked with EJUSA for several years in our state based abolition campaign.

Their support has been so appreciated in the arenas of strategic thinking, technical support, and connecting to additional resources. They are a vital part of our team and help us achieve far more than we could alone.

I became aware of EJUSA through their vigorous work regarding the death penalty in the state of New Jersey, and was impressed with their commitment to social change. My admiration for the organization grew even more when I saw their work on police/community trauma in the city of Newark. EJUSA took their time in getting to know the community of Newark, along with direct contact with the residents and officers to hear their perspective and let it inform their work. Often times organizations come into a community promoting change but neglect the genuineness of getting to know the community directly, first. EJUSA's police/community trauma trainings have truly been transformative in the lives of those who attend the trainings. They are truly helping restore and build lasting, supportive relationships between the community and police department. EJUSA's work is notable and deserves continuous support and donations. Thank you EJUSA for being a part of the needed change to build a safer, healthier Newark.

I have worked with EJUSA staff as board and staff of a statewide death penalty abolition organization (Washington State), and as staff of a national death penalty abolition organization. Every person at EJUSA that I have worked with has been smart, strategic, and kind. EJUSA is its own organization with goals and an expanding vision - and one of their aims is to support the work/goals of other less-resourced orgs. They have also served as connectors to people/orgs, and a repository of "what's worked" - knowledge gained from their work across many different campaigns that saves state orgs from some of the trial and error work (time) of running campaigns.

I have had a relationship with EJUSA for nearly a decade - first as a member of staff, and now as a consultant and donor. It has been an inspiring experience. EJUSA is visionary with respect to criminal justice issues. Their pioneering approach to the death penalty has brought together the unlikeliest of allies. Die-hard conservatives, lefty-est of liberals, various religious communities, atheists, and more have been able stand together in common purpose under the umbrella of EJUSA. I believe this is because they are always delving deep, past the labels, to uncover the strands of truth that underpin us all. It has changed the game for the death penalty in the United States. This failed policy is on its last legs. Now EJUSA has broadened its scope. They are taking on the very foundation of our criminal justice system, which has caused so much harm to so many communities. In its signature style of strategic thinking and an uncompromising commitment to justice, EJUSA is shifting the paradigm of criminal justice in this country. And, as always, they are doing it with integrity and respect towards all stakeholders - including their own staff and volunteers. I hope to stay a part of that journey for a long time coming.

I've worked with EJUSA on a number of campaigns for years, and have always had a great experience and been impressed by their professionalism and vision. Most recently, I worked closely with EJUSA staff in Little Rock, Arkansas, to advocate against a series of executions. The team at EJUSA was incredible, working long hours with a do-what-needs-to-be-done attitude that made difficult work so much easier. The folks at EJUSA are all-in, they commit to addressing challenges head on, and they help bring a positive vision of what we can accomplish together.

Equal Justice USA is the kind of organization that makes your financial support feel like more like an an investment than a simple donation. I have been lucky enough to partner with them in their work to change the conversation about and the practice of justice in America. I have seen first-hand the dedication of their field staff, who work tirelessly to support the local organizations who are directly transforming their communities. Equal Justice USA's work in the areas of trauma-informed responses to violence and system accountability should be considered by anyone who believes the justice system can must become a force for good in our communities.

I am proud to support Equal Justice USA knowing that my contributions will be put to use making real change in our cities, our states, and our nation.

I sat on the Associate Board of EJUSA from 2015-2016 (volunteer position). EJUSA is one of the best organizations I've ever had the opportunity to work with. The staff is incredibly dedicated to the cause, and all make a concerted effort to engage a broad audience while targeting specific initiatives to focus on. It's way past time for death penalty repeal in America, and EJUSA is leading the charge.

Smart, strategic, impactful, supportive are just a few of the words that pop into my head when I think of EJUSA. As director of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (TADP), I have had the privilege of working with EJUSA for over a decade now and believe that much of the progress we have made in moving Tennesseans away from the death penalty is because of the extraordinary support provided to us by EJUSA. Their staff takes the time to listen to us about what is happening on the ground and then to provide the tools, specific to our context, to help us get things done. They have assisted us with every aspect of our work from coalition building and organizing to legislative strategy and board development. Our partnership with EJUSA is critical to our progress. Thank you, EJUSA!

Working with Equal Justice USA was a fantastic experience. The people there understand what they are doing and why and they know how to do it. I worked as a communications fellow in Texas with the Conservatives Concerned wing of EJUSA speaking on the death penalty.

I had the opportunity to write op-eds and present EJUSA's positions. I was impressed by their emphasis on factually verifiable evidence, concern for the people suffering in our society and their general interest in helping me to do my best. EJUSA is also happy to work towards the cause first and their own reputation second, as we worked with local groups to promote their message.

Overall, I am both impressed and happy to have worked with EJUSA.

I run Utah Justice Coalition, I have been working with Equal Justice USA for nearly 2 year now on a project to Repeal the Death Penalty in Utah.

I would highly recommend Equal Justice USA, they are an awesome organization and have been a great help in our grassroots organizing.

I managed a stateside ballot issue campaign to keep the death penalty out of my state of Nebraska. EJUSA and its staff were invaluable to our effort. They are experts who brought experience, knowledge, skills, workable ideas and determination to our campaign.

As a professional campaign manager, I quickly came to appreciate EJUSA as a dependable partner -- when an EJUSA representative made a commitment I could count on that commitment being met.

I have seen firsthand their careful stewardship of resources while delivering outstanding results. They were real professionals and I would gladly work with EJUSA again and again.

I worked with Sarah on the Death Penalty Fail campaign in the fall of 2016. That was possibly the most gratifying campaign I have ever run. The work that EJUSA does is integral to building a just society and they do an admirable job in that. My work with Sarah inspired me to think deeper about systemic injustice and inequality and I'm very grateful to them for the opportunity.

My experience with the EJUSA National Organizer, Christine Henderson, has been one of admiration and inspiration. Her enthusiasm, knowledge, people-skills, and organizational skills are outstanding. She is an excellent bridge-builder and team player with other organizations striving for the same social justice cause. She can cut across political party and religious/civic lines to bring together a diversity of people all striving for the same goal. She is an asset to any social justice movement in the local, state or national arenas.

As both a donor and former employee, I am deeply familiar with EJUSA’s work, and have nothing but praise for the organization. EJUSA is doing critically important work to change how we approach and think about criminal justice in the United States. It has a long track record of success, which includes playing a key role in ending the death penalty in seven states in the past decade. Unique to EJUSA is its commitment to and skill in building bridges between different groups and across ideological divides, which is so important today. In sum, EJUSA is a terrific organization that deserves your support!

I have volunteered for EJUSA in several capacities. As well, I'm a monthly donor. As a systems thinker and design strategist, I believe that intersectional approaches to taking on wicked problems (and our justice system is definitely that) is the best approach. In fact, I would argue the only successful approach to true paradigm shift. EJUSA is leading the way on that paradigm shift. Rethinking all of the actors in the system and what is best for each in order to achieve the change we seek. This is the group and approach to watch. Like they did with the anti-death penalty activism, this will be the group that in 25 years we say: they were ahead of their time. And they do all of this by building coalitions, caring for all their stakeholders, and leading with compassion. You will not be disappointed in supporting EJUSA. They are lean and effective and highly qualified.

I thank God for this organization, the one on one assistance given by Latrina has really helped to catapult the work that we have been doing for several years. When you have a team making sure that you are dotting all the I's as well as crossing all the T's and as well as yourself havin a since of compassion for what you do.Because of this organization our organization will be more than prepared to provide crime victims the service that they need and deserve to some how help them to discover their purpose and help them in becoming whole. If I was to rate them they would surely get an excellent across the board.

I worked as the policy director of a state policy non profit and worked closely with EJUSA on a large project. They helped our efforts in our state for death penalty repeal and criminal justice reform immensely. Their expertise and strategic advice helped us to be very successful in our efforts. They are reliable, knowledgeable, competent, friendly, and truly care deeply about the work they do. They were an invaluable partner to us and the key to helping our state coalition work toward the abolition of the death penalty.

This was my first time engaging this organization. As a community activist in Jacksonville, Florida I found them to be through, thoughtful, consistent, informative, factual, and professional. My work with Mrs. Christine Henderson was beyond our organization expectations. She appeared untiring, unrelenting about truth, and determined to seek and get professional results for EJUSA and those she worked with. A+

EJUSA is a great organization that really connects with other NGOs on the ground level. They act as a cheerleader and behind-the-scenes workforce and have helped many states repeal their death penalty legislation over the years. They are starting to move onto two additional projects: victim advocacy and addressing violence and trauma as a public health issue. I can't think of a better organization to lead the charge on these new initiatives.

EJUSA is a phenomenal nonprofit. They've expanded outward from death penalty work. Really like their new emphasis on fixing a broken penal system.

I am an associate board member at Equal Justice USA. Equal Justice USA is an excellent organization that has produced and continues to produce effective results in the area of criminal justice reform. The organization's leadership is dedicated and passionate towards their goal of ending the death penalty, and it has been a great experience working alongside them.

EJUSA's staff is small but you wouldn't know it from their results. Few nonprofits can show the clear, specific impact that EJUSA does, and I remain impressed with how enthusiastic and dedicated its members remain, even in the face of long hours and tough work. As they make more and more progress, they take on new challenges rather than declaring victory and moving on, and I'm confident that their successes will continue to grow along with their aspirations.

I am so impressed by EJUSA's work. Their vision of a justice system that works for everyone is both powerful, well expressed and transformative. Their accomplishment so far have been world-changing and their positive impact on the US justice system will continue to grow.

I work full-time for another criminal justice non-profit, and EJUSA is one of the more impressive criminal justice reform organizations I've been exposed to. Their dogged, successful anti-death penalty advocacy is truly a marvel of clever strategy and organization, and they should be commended for pivoting slightly to incorporate new, related work on victims in the CJ system. Because I'm so impressed by what they do, I serve on the Associate Board to help get the word out and learn more myself. It's a great group of people doing interesting and meaningful work.

EJUSA has provided game-changing leadership for the movement to end the death penalty. They are true visionaries, as well as amazing partners and collaborators. I rely heavily on their insight, wisdom and experience and their deep connections to a wide network of constituencies, especially conservatives, communities of color, and Evangelicals. Every conversation I have with an EJUSA staffer leaves me enriched, inspired and forever grateful.

I can't say enough positive things about Equal Justice USA! They have been essential in helping us achieve death penalty repeal in Connecticut. They recognized the potential in the Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty (CNADP) when we were just a small group of volunteers, and offered to help us get to the next level and beyond. EJUSA showed us how to become more professional and how to target our legislative and public education efforts strategically towards our goal. They continue to support us on a regular basis. And they have never sought credit for this work, nor financial support from us. Thank you, EJUSA!

EJUSA is an amazing, professional organization that is effecting substantive change in our country. The organization's emphasis on building diverse coalitions and engaging unlikely allies makes them a model for all advocacy organizations.

EJUSA does fantastic work to make the justice system truly work for all members of our society. Everyone on the staff is passionate about the work and unendingly dedicated. This is truly an amazing organization.

EJUSA are the people who keep me well informed. I so appreciate the work they put into doing this.

Great organization,. well presented information and advocacy.

EJUSA has the energy, the expertise, the experience and the knowledge to help our country end the death penalty. Working for repeal in Nebraska, I was amazed by their commitment and their willingness to help our state on every level. EJUSA was with us all the way, encouraging us and contributing great ideas to the Nebraska organization's own hard work and strong commitment. They never gave in to discouragement, but always moved forward with a positive attitude to the next step. They're a personable and friendly bunch as well.

EJUSA continues to be the most responsive, strategic, and effective national criminal justice reform group I know. Whatever our needs, they are always there to fulfill them. Their advocacy for a justice system that addresses the needs of everyone impacted by crime is incredibly important, and very timely for our state. I look forward to our continued partnership.

Equal Justice USA plays a pivotal role in supporting the work of groups in the Death Penalty Moratorium and Abolition movement. Through candid guidance, dedicated energy, and enthusiastic commitment, members of the Equal Justice team make it possible for Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty to advocate for an end to our state's costly, arbitrary and bloated capital punishment bureaucracy. Stemming the tide of executions demands no less. Equal Justice USA stands at the ready and we are thankful for it.

EJUSA has been tremendously helpful throughout Nebraska's winning campaign to repeal the death penalty. While NADP had the enthusiasm to get it done, we didn't necesarily have all the resources. As a brand new organizer, the tools, materials and expertise from EJUSA helped me delve into outreach to critical conservative groups and leaders.

Working with Equal Justice USA has been an absolute pleasure. I was new to the field of organizing and campaign strategizing, but EJUSA took me under their wing and guided all of my efforts. I grew both professionally and personally because of their direction. Any time I had a question or needed guidance, the staff at EJUSA was available and willing to point me in the right path. I've learned so much from them that I can take with me at my next job and beyond.

EJUSA has worked with the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty in our work to repeal the death penalty in Kansas. Their contributions and assistance have been useful, significant and timely.

EJUSA is a truly special organization -- everyone involved at all levels are truly dedicated and passionate about their mission. It is inspiring and a pleasure to be a part of.

I first came into contact with Equal Justice USA when I was working with Troy Davis's family to write their book and tell their story. (Troy was executed in Georgia in 2011 despite a strong case of innocence.) Over the last two years, I have partnered very closely with EJUSA on multiple aspects of promoting the book and its message, and on multiple aspects of death penalty education and repeal. EJUSA has been, without exception, trustworthy, effective, professional, and, frankly--inspiring. This is true of every staff member that I have worked with, individually. And it is true of my experience with the organization as a whole. EJUSA is comprised of great people doing amazing work. I really can't speak highly enough of them.

My name is Doris Parlette. I am the volunteer director and board president of the Indiana Abolition Coalition. Equal Justice USA has provided essential technical and organizational advice and support to IAC for more than two years. We could not be more grateful to EJUSA.

My name is Steve Dogiakos. I am the director of Montana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty and staff for the Montana Abolition Coalition. Through my work, I have collaborated with a handful of EJUSA staff members and I can't sing their praises highly enough. Whether it's strategic campaign planning or just picking up the phone to get advice, the EJUSA staff is amazing!

My Name is Kirk Bloodsworth I am the first Death row inmate to be exonerated from post-conviction DNA testing. EJUSA is far and beyond your average non profit. I have worked with them for many years and find them to be Professional, smart and on point. From the Executive Director to the last employee. Honest bunch of folks that get the job done. In one word I say they are stellar!! Five stars.

Kirk Bloodsworth Consultant/public speaker

As a staff person of a state organization working to end the death penalty, I always found EJUSA to be an incredibly effective and helpful organization. They consistently provided affordable resources that truly made a difference in our day to day work. EJUSA seemed to always be leading the way in developing important strategies to increase the state organizations' ability to reach new audiences, and then providing us access to the tools to make it happen. I owe a great deal of my success in this work to the tools and training provided to me by EJUSA over the last 6-8 years.

EJUSA and their staff are respectful and encouraging - always building bridges and enlarging the tent. They are young, passionate, strategic and effective.

I can't say enough about EJUSA!!! They were INSTRUMENTAL in helping us achieve abolition of the death penalty in Connecticut. They helped us make the impossible not only possible, but a reality! Hands-on training, expert knowledge of the legislative landscape and the issues involved, passionate and wonderful staff and volunteers helping us every step of the way.

I am very interested in all groups such as EJUSA, The Innocence Project, Amnesty International, others which work to help our society to treat its lowest status citizen with some humanity, with some human decency, or at least to not kill them. I believe Equal Justice USA fights continuously to end the Death Penalty in all 50 of the United States. I know they have made progress with several states ending their participation in the Death Penalty in the past two or three years that I have been aware of the work of EJUSA.

Great work! Please continue to help us treat our fellow human beings with humanity and compassion. Thank you!

As the former executive director of MD Citizens Against State Executions (former because we won!), I can unequivocally say that repeal of the death penalty in Maryland just would NOT have happened without EJUSA!

I had the pleasure of first working with the staff of EJUSA during the Maryland death penalty repeal campaign. I found them to be extraordinarily knowledgeable, hard-working, thorough, and just all-around fantastic people. They worked behind the scenes and were pivotal in the victory, but never took it as an opportunity to take credit away from others who worked very hard as well. I've been lucky to cross paths with them again on other projects and events and hope to continue to do so in the future. I cannot say enough good things about this organization!

The staff of EJ USA are some of the most committed professionals that I've ever had the pleasure of working with.

Justice is not blind. The current system uses resources to execute people. While victim supports and prevention initiates remain under-funded. EJUSA is working at the grassroots level to change this!!

I am both a supporter and a professional that receives assistance from the staff at EJUSA on a regular basis. The staffers are strategic, experienced and helpful on so many fronts. I don't think I could do my work nearly as effectively without their involvement and I am so glad they are working so hard in this field.

I volunteered for Equal Justice USA several years ago but still recall my extremely positive experience with the organization. My time with EJUSA ultimately helped to prepare me for a future full-time role at a renowned non-profit org and I truly credit my volunteer experience at EJUSA for helping me to land the job. EJUSA is extremely well run and truly grassroots. I highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in volunteering and/or working for the organization in any capacity!

What an amazing group of folks. EJUSA is staffed with hard-working, dedicated, and passionate people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty doing the work that gets things done. Hands-down experts in their field, I would recommend this group to ANYONE working interested in making America a more just place.

I have been involved with EJUSA as a supporter since 2005 when it was a project of the Quixote Center in Washington, DC and supported the organisation when it became independent and moved to New York, NY a few years later. I have been involved with the anti-death penalty movement my whole life and was blessed to work in the same building as them and then to watch their progress unfold into a leader of the national campaign end the death penalty in two states and bring California (my home state) closer to ending the death penalty in 2012. Only EJUSA has the footing and development capacity to maintain the war footing necessary to end the California death penalty and the federal death penalty in particular.

I've been on the Board of EJUSA for almost three years and am continually impressed with the strategic vision and dedication of the staff. I'm excited to be a part of an organization that has been so intricately involved in changing minds of Americans about the death penalty specifically and the criminal justice system in particular.

EJUSA is a goal oriented not-for-profit that has a unique way of approaching criminal justice reform. The organization takes a bottom up approach, involving all sectors of the criminal justice system, including victims. The organization's members are hands on people, willing to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty to get the job done. EJUSA is composed of committed individuals. They work smart and hard, and most importantly, have succeeded to changing the debate concerning criminal justice and repealing the death penalty in five states within five years. I am proud and honored to serve with EJUSA.

I'm extremely impressed with everything about EJUSA - from the top to the bottom. They are a well run, extremely talented group of people. They also have one of the healthiest cultures an organization can have. I am very impressed with the way this talented group exeeds expectations again and again. I am truly proud to be affiliated with EJUSA

EJUSA and its amazing staff are not just winning legislative victories – EJUSA is changing lives. Within the criminal justice reform arena EJUSA is asking the tough questions, filling in the holes, getting the job done! And in doing so EJUSA has trained teams of organizers, given voice to unheard families and moved important legislation. This non profit reaches one success after another! I am proud to have received their services, worked on the team and now serve on the board.

I'm extremely impressed with EJUSA's organizing around ending the death penalty nationwide. As an Illinois abolition activist, I supported both local and national organizations (and helped start a local one with a group of homicide victim family members, religious, and law-reform-minded attorneys); the national outlook and continuity of EJUSA were, I believe, key to our ultimate success in repealing our state's death penalty law, helping with information as to what was working in other states and with direct assistance within Illinois.

Over the years I have served on a number of local and national boards, and advised numerous organizations working on a wide range of issues. Equal Justice USA is among the most focused and effective organizations with which I have ever been involved. I agreed to serve as a founding board member because the team is top notch, the mission focused, and the work focused on the mission. The organization always asks "how does this help us achieve our goals?" before undertaking anything from buying supplies to engaging in major initiatives. They know what they want to achieve and they are achieving it.

After years as part of a smaller not for profit EJUSA entered its own in 2008 and faced a world where the death penalty ruled supreme as a political sanction for crime. Since 2008 under the able leadership of Shari Silberstein it has been the moving force to abolish capital punishment in 5 states in the last 5 years. Its dedicated and talented staff works with grassroots activists across the country providing necessary resources to build a movement for state by state abolition of capital punishment. From political messaging to folding envelopes, from strategizing about press conferences and meeting governors to targeting political players or writing grants EJUSA staff embeds itself locally and on long term basis to help groups grow, learn and win. Now EJUSA is expanding its work to bridge the ever widening chasm between offender and victim advocacy by creating a new program aimed directly at serving the genuine but unmet needs of crime survivors and their families building a movement addressing the needs of inner city crime victims’ of color. All said EJUSA is a great non profit!