MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Date:
Sarada Tangirala, Communications Director
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Grip Training Institute Celebrates 10 Years Of Guiding Rage Into Power
Oakland, CA – GRIP Training Institute is proud to host “Coming Home and Celebrating Freedom,” an evening of dinner, music, poetry performances, and award presentations in honor of the nonprofit organization’s 10th anniversary. The event will take place on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 6-9 pm at 7th West in Oakland, CA.
GRIP stands for Guiding Rage into Power, a comprehensive yearlong healing and accountability program serving primarily people in California state prisons serving life sentences for violent crimes. Recently highlighted in Governor Gavin Newson’s press event at San Quentin, the GRIP program stands as an evidence-based solution to prevent revictimization, repair harm, and successfully reintegrate people coming home from incarceration.
Media are invited to attend and cover the event.
WHAT:
GRIP Training Institute’s 10th Anniversary Celebration “Coming Home and Celebrating Freedom” honoring its past, present, and future, and the GRIP graduates who have come home
WHEN:
Friday, May 12, 2023, from 6-9 pm
WHERE:
7th West, 1255 7th Street, Oakland, CA
WHO:
The 10th anniversary celebration will honor:
- Jacques Verduin, founder
- GRIP program alumni and survivors
- California Assemblymember Mia Bonta
WHY:
Celebrating 10 years of Guiding Rage Into Power, a program that is in line with Gov. Newsom’s vision for real public safety in California:
- Over 1,200 students have graduated from the GRIP program
- At least 620 have been released home to their communities
- GRIP’s recidivism rate is less than 1%