As we enter this season of reflection and thanksgiving, I invite you to pause and consider gratitude not just for the blessings in our own lives, but for those working to create positive change in often-overlooked spaces. I want to share an email from Kenneth Hunter, our Higher Education in Prison Organizer, whose recent experience reminds us that gratitude can be found in the most unexpected places and that returning to difficult spaces with purpose can be one of life's most meaningful gifts.
Kenneth's Message: "On Wednesday, I returned to a prison where I was once incarcerated — but this time for a very different purpose. I'll admit I had some nerves going in, especially while standing in a long shakedown line with staff. But after taking a moment to breathe and center myself, I was able to settle into the experience. The staff were welcoming, and the change in dynamic was striking: I was no longer a subordinate.
Tierra Reavis, the Workforce Development Coordinator who invited me, took me directly to the housing units. The reaction from the guys was immediate — one of their own had come back. They were proud that I hadn't forgotten them and proud that I'm working to make an impact on the outside.
I met with the Cognitive Community, men with less than a year left who are considered high-risk for recidivism. Our session was scheduled for an hour but stretched to two and honestly could have gone all day. I also spent time with a faith-based group called S.M.A.R.T., which focuses on helping incarcerated people find ways to serve and uplift their communities — even from inside — in order to counteract the negative images placed on them. They want to learn more about advocacy across all the issue areas VICPP works in, not just justice reform. I'd love for us to explore ways they might share their talents through art, storytelling, or other creative contributions.
This visit genuinely filled my cup. It grounded me in the real-life consequences of our work and renewed my commitment to stay the course. Some of the men I saw I've known for over 25 years. Being back there — under these circumstances — meant a lot.
I'm grateful to work for an organization that truly lifts up the voices of those who are often forgotten or overlooked."
Kenneth's words remind us that gratitude isn't just about acknowledging what we have. It's also about recognizing the connections that sustain us, the second chances that transform us, and the communities that refuse to give up on one another. As you gather this week, I encourage you to hold space for gratitude that extends beyond our immediate circles to include those who are working to bridge divides, those finding ways to serve from within challenging circumstances, and those who, like Kenneth, are turning their own experiences into pathways of hope for others. Thank you for being part of a community that believes in the power of redemption and the transformative nature of work that truly matters.
In gratitude,
Keisha
Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook
Executive Director | 
