Dream.org
 Dream Corps' Logo | |
| Formation | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Founders | |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Focus |
|
| Location |
|
| Methods |
|
CEO | Nisha Anand [1] |
CFO | John Payne |
CPO | Rachel King |
CAO | Janos Marton |
| Subsidiaries | Green For All |
| Website | www |
Dream.org is a non-profit organization co-founded by Van Jones, Jessica Jackson, and Matt Haney. It focuses on issues such as mass incarceration, climate change, and poverty by advocating for new legislation, creating green jobs, and teaching low-income children about computer programming.
History[edit]
Jessica Jackson and Matt Haney met Van Jones during a chance meeting and began talking with him about criminal justice reform.[2] Over breakfast, they scribbled ideas on a napkin which later led to the formation of #cut50.[2]
In 2015, Jackson, Haney, and Jones co-founded #cut50, an organization focused on bipartisan solutions to criminal justice reform issues.[3][4][5][6] As #cut50, Dream Corps worked alongside members of Congress and the Trump Administration to develop and pass the First Step Act of 2018.[2]
Bezos donation[edit]
In 2021, Jeff Bezos reportedly gave Dream.org $100,000,000 (USD) as a donation.[7] In 2023, Van Jones was ousted from Dream.org over financial woes.
Justice Innovation Prize[edit]
On October 24, 2023, Dream.Org awarded $750,000 in grants to three winners of its Justice Innovation Prize, aimed at disrupting the prison industry.
The five finalists presented their ideas at the SOCAP23 [8] social impact investing conference, where they were evaluated on their potential to reduce recidivism through education, rehabilitation, job support, or tech-based resources. The three winners, receiving $250,000 each, are:
FreeCap Financial, Inc.[9] (Washington, D.C.) A justice-oriented data company increasing corporate accountability and transparency for investors opposing mass incarceration.
JusticeText[10](Irvine, CA) An audiovisual evidence management software generating automated transcripts of body camera footage, interrogation videos, jail calls, and more.
Unlocked Labs[11] (St. Louis, MO) A tech startup designing learning management systems for incarcerated individuals.
The winners expressed their gratitude, stating, “We are incredibly honored to receive this award and to have had the opportunity to present our case for disrupting the prison system alongside so many other innovative organizations at SOCAP23. We’re eager to put this prize money to work to produce better outcomes for people who are or have been incarcerated.”
Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.Org, highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration in addressing societal issues, saying, “Our approach at Dream.Org is to give a voice to the people who have been hit first and worst by big societal problems. The Justice Innovation Prize is a game-changer, and the talent and determination of our finalists embody who Dream.Org is—a home for changemakers.”
Janos Marton, Chief Advocacy Officer at Dream.Org, emphasized the need for transformation within the prison system, stating, “Our prison system locks up too many people, treats people horribly, costs too much, and fails at every level. Technology is transforming our world, but we are stuck using a 200-year-old approach to prisons. Our three winners represent the millions of Americans with direct experience of this broken system and have come up with brilliant, innovative ideas to change it.”
In January 2023, Dream.Org received a $1 million grant to support the Justice Innovation Prize. All five program finalists, including the three winners, along with Just Income GNV and Creative Acts, received $50,000 to prepare for their presentations at SOCAP23. The winners were announced during an award ceremony at the conference.
Dream Justice Youth Cohort[edit]
(November 28, 2023) Oakland, California. Dream.Org has received a substantial grant from the NBA Foundation to expand its leadership, workforce development, and advocacy program. This initiative supports justice-impacted Black and Brown youth in Sacramento, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. The Dream Justice Youth Cohort will train up to 25 young people, aged 18-24, to become community leaders and secure job opportunities in justice reform and nonprofit sectors.
"Dream.Org's commitment to uplifting justice-impacted young adults aligns with the need for transformative programs,” said NBA Foundation Director Greg Taylor. “We're proud to support the Dream Justice Youth Cohort and anticipate a lasting impact.”
"Youth involved with the criminal justice system deserve not just a second chance, but also support and belief in their growth. We create a future beyond poverty and prisons for them and their communities,” said Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.Org. “We are grateful to the NBA Foundation for their support and are excited to transform the lives of these young people.”
The program includes three months of intensive training followed by three months of mentorship, equipping participants with essential life and workforce development skills, including advocacy, establishing nonprofits, stakeholder engagement, campaign development, and utilizing social media and online tools.
Dream Corps TECH[edit]
Dream Corps TECH started as #YesWeCode in early 2015 alongside Rebuild the Dream. The organization works to teach low-income kids how to code.
References[edit]
- ^ https://dream.org/about-us/
- ^ a b c Canon, Gabrielle (November 29, 2019). "Jessica Jackson, a single mom from California, took on the prison system — and changed her life". USA Today. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Jessica Jackson Sloan - Marin Magazine - June 2016 - Marin County, California". www.marinmagazine.com. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-06-05. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- ^ "Going local is the solution for the justice system reform". MSNBC. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ^ "A Republican Governor Is Leading the Country's Most Successful Prison Reform". New Republic. Archived from the original on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- ^ Hecht, Jon. "This Millennial Activist Believes Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Will Happen, Even Under Trump". Bustle. Archived from the original on 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- ^ https://www.thedailybeast.com/van-jones-jeff-bezos-dollar100m-man-pushed-out-of-his-non-profit
- ^ https://socapglobal.com/events/socap23/
- ^ https://www.freecapfinancial.com/
- ^ https://justicetext.com/
- ^ https://www.unlockedlabs.org/