• "Defy has done so much for me and my fellow EITs in helping us have a vision for a brighter future. Everything from having not only a business mindset, but also giving us the proper tools to smoothly transition back to our families and right the wrongs we have done. We’ve learned to bond through humanity, have empathy, be resilient, courageous, and vulnerable. Defy is simply in the life-saving business.” - Virgil Some of you may remember Virgil from Defy events in prison—he was a peer facilitator for a few cohorts after graduating from the program and has continually been a source of encouragement and inspiration to his fellow EITs (and to us all). ✨ Virgil has been home for a couple of months now and has been making strides in his reentry. He's especially enjoyed taking advantage of Defy program partnerships in NorCal, like pro bono coaching through BetterUp, an online coaching platform, and training to become a life coach himself through the Wellcoaches School of Coaching. 💪 We’re so proud to have you in the Defy community, Virgil! Welcome home! 🎉
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    "Defy has done so much for me and my fellow EITs in helping us have a vision for a brighter future. Everything from having not only a business mindset, but also giving us the proper tools to smoothly transition back to our families and right the wrongs we have done. We’ve learned to bond through humanity, have empathy, be resilient, courageous, and vulnerable. Defy is simply in the life-saving business.” - Virgil Some of you may remember Virgil from Defy events in prison—he was a peer facilitator for a few cohorts after graduating from the program and has continually been a source of encouragement and inspiration to his fellow EITs (and to us all). ✨ Virgil has been home for a couple of months now and has been making strides in his reentry. He's especially enjoyed taking advantage of Defy program partnerships in NorCal, like pro bono coaching through BetterUp, an online coaching platform, and training to become a life coach himself through the Wellcoaches School of Coaching. 💪 We’re so proud to have you in the Defy community, Virgil! Welcome home! 🎉
  • Please check out this Wrongful Conviction podcast episode detailing a Defy EIT’s experience with a system that led to her wrongful conviction and 19 years of incarceration. Kiera Newsome graduated from Defy’s program in 2019 and was released last year. Please sign the change.org petition (https://www.change.org/p/the-people-of-los-angeles-county-justice-for-kiera-newsome) to ask the Los Angeles District Attorney to clear her name. Let’s support Kiera in defying these unjust odds! ................................... From @wrongfulconviction: On the day after Easter 2001 in South Central, LA, a female 11 Deuce Hoover fired into a group of Blocc Crips, wounding one and killing another. Even though Kiera Newsome was in class at the time and avoided gangs entirely, the unending Crip-Hoover rivalry took both her boyfriend’s life and eventually 19 years of her own.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ New episode of #wrongfulconviction with @itsjasonflom is out now ⁣⁣ ❤️ link in bio ❤️⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This episode is underwritten by @StandTogether. Stand Together is a philanthropic community dedicated to helping people improve their lives.⁣⁣
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    Please check out this Wrongful Conviction podcast episode detailing a Defy EIT’s experience with a system that led to her wrongful conviction and 19 years of incarceration. Kiera Newsome graduated from Defy’s program in 2019 and was released last year. Please sign the change.org petition (https://www.change.org/p/the-people-of-los-angeles-county-justice-for-kiera-newsome) to ask the Los Angeles District Attorney to clear her name. Let’s support Kiera in defying these unjust odds! ................................... From @wrongfulconviction: On the day after Easter 2001 in South Central, LA, a female 11 Deuce Hoover fired into a group of Blocc Crips, wounding one and killing another. Even though Kiera Newsome was in class at the time and avoided gangs entirely, the unending Crip-Hoover rivalry took both her boyfriend’s life and eventually 19 years of her own.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ New episode of #wrongfulconviction with @itsjasonflom is out now ⁣⁣ ❤️ link in bio ❤️⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This episode is underwritten by @StandTogether. Stand Together is a philanthropic community dedicated to helping people improve their lives.⁣⁣
  • Happy Black History Month! Here’s what Defy’s Northern California Director, DeJuan Lewis, says about what the month means to him: “Black History Month to me is a time of rejoicing, celebrating, and thanking those African Americans for giving many of us hope and life lessons that we can use in our daily lives. Black History Month isn't just about all the bad times we've been through. It's about integrity, leadership, and determination.”
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    Happy Black History Month! Here’s what Defy’s Northern California Director, DeJuan Lewis, says about what the month means to him: “Black History Month to me is a time of rejoicing, celebrating, and thanking those African Americans for giving many of us hope and life lessons that we can use in our daily lives. Black History Month isn't just about all the bad times we've been through. It's about integrity, leadership, and determination.”
  • Are your Zoom calls this fun?! 🤩 A positive community is key to well-being and leading a fulfilled and meaningful life. If you want a community with purpose and fun, join us for a Defy event! Check out volunteer.defyventures.org for upcoming events and email info@defyventures.org with questions! 🎉Joyful screenshots from last week’s resume and mock interview night in SoCal.👏
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    Are your Zoom calls this fun?! 🤩 A positive community is key to well-being and leading a fulfilled and meaningful life. If you want a community with purpose and fun, join us for a Defy event! Check out volunteer.defyventures.org for upcoming events and email info@defyventures.org with questions! 🎉Joyful screenshots from last week’s resume and mock interview night in SoCal.👏