Advocacy & Support for System-Impacted Individuals Advice
A Restoring Hope California We are committed to supporting individuals and families affected by incarceration through hands-on assistance, community engagement, and strategic advocacy. We understand that incarceration creates a ripple effect—impacting relationships, stability, and opportunity long after a sentence is served.
Legislative Advocacy & Policy ChangeWe actively propose legislation and support statewide bills that reduce harm, promote family unity, and advance equity in the justice system. Our advocacy is rooted in lived experience and informed by the voices of those directly affected. From reducing financial burdens on families to protecting visitation rights, we work to ensure that California policies reflect dignity, accountability, and second chances.
Coalition Work & Community MobilizationAs members of several state and regional coalitions, we collaborate with partner organizations to drive collective action, strengthen community responses, and ensure the inclusion of directly impacted voices in reform efforts.
These partnerships allow us to drive collective action, elevate system-impacted voices, and influence policies that center dignity, accountability, and equity.
By working alongside other grassroots organizations, we help strengthen community responses to incarceration, promote public safety rooted in healing—not punishment—and ensure directly impacted individuals are shaping the solutions.
We are proud to collaborate with the following coalitions:
- Coalition for Family Unity- Debt Free Justice California- Pathways to Justice Coalition- Keep Families Connected Coalition- Inland Region Reentry Coalition- California United for a Responsible Budget - Transformative Programming Works- Resentencing Coalition
These alliances strengthen our advocacy and broaden our impact—ensuring that our work reflects the lived realities of the communities we serve. At the heart of it all is our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and move forward with dignity and support.
By working alongside other grassroots organizations, we help strengthen community responses to incarceration, promote public safety rooted in healing—not punishment—and ensure directly impacted individuals are shaping the solutions.
We are proud to collaborate with the following coalitions:
- Coalition for Family Unity- Debt Free Justice California- Pathways to Justice Coalition- Keep Families Connected Coalition- Inland Region Reentry Coalition- California United for a Responsible Budget - Transformative Programming Works- Resentencing Coalition
These alliances strengthen our advocacy and broaden our impact—ensuring that our work reflects the lived realities of the communities we serve. At the heart of it all is our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and move forward with dignity and support.
H.O.P.E. Curriculum Hone in Oppressed Potential to Evolve
The H.O.P.E. Curriculum is a transformative self-development course created by Joseph Rice and presented by Restoring Hope California.
This original program is designed for individuals—particularly those who are incarcerated—who are ready to break free from destructive thought patterns, explore their true identity, and commit to lasting personal growth.
Rather than offering surface-level motivation, H.O.P.E. is a deep psychological and emotional exploration of the internalized beliefs, habits, and survival mechanisms that often drive harmful behaviors. Through structured reflection, the curriculum challenges participants to confront how identity is shaped, how segregative thinking forms bias, and how unprocessed tension and trauma influence perception and decision-making.
Rather than offering surface-level motivation, H.O.P.E. is a deep psychological and emotional exploration of the internalized beliefs, habits, and survival mechanisms that often drive harmful behaviors. Through structured reflection, the curriculum challenges participants to confront how identity is shaped, how segregative thinking forms bias, and how unprocessed tension and trauma influence perception and decision-making.
Program Themes:
Identity & Self-Concept – Understanding who you are beneath environmental conditioning
Segregative Thinking – Examining the roots of bias and destructive social categorization
Tension & Decision-Making – Recognizing the pressures that drive impulsive behavior
Perception & Perspective – Shifting from reactive thinking to holistic understanding
Self-Revolution – Breaking down harmful ideologies to build a foundation for growth
How It’s Delivered: Our curriculum is available in print as a self-paced workbook and on the Edovo App on Tablets across the U.S.
Our curriculum is designed for use by incarcerated individuals in group or independent settings.
Includes guided reflections, writing exercises, and real-life testimony.
Emphasizes continuous self-reflection, accountability, and emotional clarity.
This program equips participants not just with insight, but with the internal tools to evolve beyond limitations and reclaim the will to live with purpose, responsibility, and self-respect.
Segregative Thinking – Examining the roots of bias and destructive social categorization
Tension & Decision-Making – Recognizing the pressures that drive impulsive behavior
Perception & Perspective – Shifting from reactive thinking to holistic understanding
Self-Revolution – Breaking down harmful ideologies to build a foundation for growth
How It’s Delivered: Our curriculum is available in print as a self-paced workbook and on the Edovo App on Tablets across the U.S.
Our curriculum is designed for use by incarcerated individuals in group or independent settings.
Includes guided reflections, writing exercises, and real-life testimony.
Emphasizes continuous self-reflection, accountability, and emotional clarity.
This program equips participants not just with insight, but with the internal tools to evolve beyond limitations and reclaim the will to live with purpose, responsibility, and self-respect.
Reentry Support & Services
We support individuals preparing to return home from incarceration by providing reentry resources and referrals that ease the transition and reduce barriers to stability. While we do not offer direct services, we help connect system-impacted individuals with trusted organizations and tools designed to support successful reintegration.
Our reentry support includes:
Reentry Housing ListingsUp-to-date information on transitional and long-term housing options across California.
Employment ReferralsConnections to second-chance employers, workforce development agencies, and job training programs.
Reentry Housing ListingsUp-to-date information on transitional and long-term housing options across California.
Employment ReferralsConnections to second-chance employers, workforce development agencies, and job training programs.
Resume Development ToolsTemplates, tips, and support for creating professional resumes tailored to reentry.
Navigation & ReferralsGuidance on accessing mental health services, transportation, education programs, financial literacy classes, and legal assistance.
Post-Release PlanningInformation to help individuals understand parole requirements, obtain identification, and meet essential reentry needs.
We are here to ensure that those coming home have access to practical support, reliable information, and a community that believes in their future.
Navigation & ReferralsGuidance on accessing mental health services, transportation, education programs, financial literacy classes, and legal assistance.
Post-Release PlanningInformation to help individuals understand parole requirements, obtain identification, and meet essential reentry needs.
We are here to ensure that those coming home have access to practical support, reliable information, and a community that believes in their future.
Family Engagement
We support system-impacted families in navigating the correctional system and maintaining meaningful connections with their incarcerated loved ones. We provide guidance on CDCR policies, visitation procedures, and communication options—including calls, mail, and in-person visits.
Our goal is to help families stay connected during incarceration and throughout the reentry process. We also advocate for humane, family-centered visitation practices that recognize the importance of preserving family bonds—especially between parents and children. Whether a loved one is preparing to come home or has just entered the system, we’re here to help families stay informed, supported, and connected.
Our goal is to help families stay connected during incarceration and throughout the reentry process. We also advocate for humane, family-centered visitation practices that recognize the importance of preserving family bonds—especially between parents and children. Whether a loved one is preparing to come home or has just entered the system, we’re here to help families stay informed, supported, and connected.
Youth & Caregiver Engagement
Restoring Hope California supports children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers through meaningful, trauma-informed programming that nurtures connection, emotional resilience, and stability during challenging times.
Our services are designed to uplift youth and remind them they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
Our offerings include: Birthday Celebrations & Care PackagesThoughtful gifts and celebrations that ensure children feel loved and remembered on their special day.
Resource Navigation for CaregiversSupport and guidance for caregivers navigating the challenges of raising children impacted by incarceration.
Our services are designed to uplift youth and remind them they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
Our offerings include: Birthday Celebrations & Care PackagesThoughtful gifts and celebrations that ensure children feel loved and remembered on their special day.
Resource Navigation for CaregiversSupport and guidance for caregivers navigating the challenges of raising children impacted by incarceration.
Maintaining Parent-Child BondsEfforts to preserve and strengthen family ties during incarceration through communication support, family engagement, and advocacy.
Art Therapy ProgrammingIn partnership with Artistic Art Journeys, we offer creative healing spaces for youth to express emotions, process experiences, and build confidence through art.
Through these initiatives, we create safe and empowering environments where young people and caregivers can thrive—despite the challenges of separation.
Art Therapy ProgrammingIn partnership with Artistic Art Journeys, we offer creative healing spaces for youth to express emotions, process experiences, and build confidence through art.
Through these initiatives, we create safe and empowering environments where young people and caregivers can thrive—despite the challenges of separation.
Community Support
Restoring Hope California recognizes that real change begins at the community level. We actively engage with local partners, volunteers, and supporters to create spaces of hope, healing, and opportunity for system-impacted individuals and their families.
Our community support efforts include: Collaborations with Local OrganizationsWe partner with trusted community-based groups to expand access to housing, employment, education, and wellness services.
Community Care InitiativesWe organize seasonal drives, meal distributions, hygiene care kits, and events that directly support families impacted by incarceration.
Our community support efforts include: Collaborations with Local OrganizationsWe partner with trusted community-based groups to expand access to housing, employment, education, and wellness services.
Community Care InitiativesWe organize seasonal drives, meal distributions, hygiene care kits, and events that directly support families impacted by incarceration.
Workshops & Community ForumsWe host educational sessions and healing-centered discussions focused on justice reform, reentry navigation, and strengthening family connections.
Volunteer OpportunitiesCommunity members can get involved by donating time, talent, or resources to support our events, outreach, or advocacy campaigns.
Resource ReferralsWe connect individuals and families to trusted service providers based on their unique needs and location.
Whether you're a neighbor, advocate, or organization looking to make a difference, we invite you to stand with us. Together, we can restore hope and build stronger communities across California.
Volunteer OpportunitiesCommunity members can get involved by donating time, talent, or resources to support our events, outreach, or advocacy campaigns.
Resource ReferralsWe connect individuals and families to trusted service providers based on their unique needs and location.
Whether you're a neighbor, advocate, or organization looking to make a difference, we invite you to stand with us. Together, we can restore hope and build stronger communities across California.