Students can create holidays cards for incarcerated individuals tomorrow
Find out how you can help this initiative before the holiday season begins
On Tuesday, December 6th, students can join members of the People’s Paper Co-op and the Philadelphia Reentry Think Tank for a special evening at the Tyler School of Art. The event will be held from 6 to 9 pm in the Temple Contemporary Gallery.
The People’s Paper Co-op is a program from the Village of Arts and Humanities, located on Germantown Avenue. The organization works with those most affected by the criminal justice system to “change the perception that a criminal record is a permanent barrier to freedom and livelihood,” according to their website.
According to People’s Paper Co-op, the United States has over 70 million people with criminal records–more than the entire population of France. People of color are arrested at higher rates than their white counterparts and African Americans have more chances to be arrested than any other racial group.
In Philadelphia, African Americans are stopped, frisked, and arrested more than any other group. One out of every five residents has a criminal record, according to The People’s Paper Co-op.
Students can hear personal stories of formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, and advocates during the event on Tuesday.
The holiday cards for Tuesday’s event will be made from shredded criminal records used to create handmade paper.
Photo from the People’s Paper Co-op’s Instagram
Stamps, envelopes, and other materials will all be provided, along with light refreshments.
You can join the Facebook event here.