Jen Szénay

  • Breaking Barriers: Strengthening Prison Programming Together

    Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first MI-CEMI Prison Programming quarterly convening of 2025. Our discussion explored key strategies, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming in-reach and relationship-building efforts. The discussion highlighted that, while there is an important role for department-provided and mandated programming, there is a special transformative power when people…

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  • Join the Conversation on Harm Reduction & Mental Health

    Recently, MI-CEMI’s Steering Team member organization, the Detroit Justice Center, hosted a powerful two-day Harm Reduction Convening in Detroit. This impactful event brought together experts, organizers, and community leaders to address the harmful and punitive responses to substance use and mental health crises. The focus? To uplift solutions grounded in harm reduction that keep our…

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  • Join Us for a Powerful Conversation on Harm Reduction & Non-Carceral Responses to Mental Health and Substance Use

    We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Learning Community event on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 12:00 – 1:30 PM, focused on Harm Reduction & Non-Carceral Responses to Mental Health and Substance Use. This event will explore transformative approaches to support individuals facing these challenges without relying on police or prison as a…

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  • Join Us in the Fight for Commonsense Police Accountability

    Take Action Today: Limited Window for Police Accountability Reforms We have a short window of opportunity to push critical police accountability bills forward in the Michigan House of Representatives. These bills—SB1091 (Use of Force policy requirements), SB1092 (Training Requirements), and SB1094 (Limiting No-Knock Warrants)—have already passed the Senate but need House approval to become law.…

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  • Second Chances: Exploring the Impact of Resentencing and Juvenile Justice

    We invite you to join us for two important events coming up soon in Detroit, where we will engage in crucial discussions on the Second Look Resentencing Act and Juvenile Life Without Parole. 1. Second Chances: A Listening SessionDate: October 16th, 2024Time: Dinner 6:00 PM, Presentation 7:00 PMLocation: 8850 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202At this…

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  • Storytelling with Integrity: Centering Impacted Voices Responsibly

    Join us for a discussion on Ethical Storytelling on Thursday, November 21st, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM EST. This event will explore how to center impacted voices in our narratives while avoiding tokenization and retraumatization. We’ll hear insights from representatives of Safe and Just Michigan, the Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ), and the American…

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  • Announcing Season Two of the Statewide Learning Community: Back to School Edition

    Across Michigan, communities are mobilizing around community violence intervention, advocating for police accountability, and implementing restorative justice alternatives. In support of these efforts, we’re excited to kick off Season Two of the MI Statewide Learning Community! As the new school year kicks off, join us for a discussion about the problems of criminalization and excessive…

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  • Grassroots Advocacy Webinar: Going Beyond Letter Writing

    Level Up Your Advocacy: A Recap of Last Week’s Webinar Last week, we held a special event designed to empower and support families of incarcerated individuals. This webinar was not just an opportunity to learn but a chance to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement in our shared journey to end mass incarceration.

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