Centering Lived Experience

Commitment: We put people who are system-impacted in leadership

Actions Taken
– Ensuring 75% of our Board of Directors have lived experience in incarceration
– Empower member led subcommittees to advise and collaborate directly with the Board
Accountability
Review our governance to confirm that impacted voices stay at the center

Fostering Respect + Belonging

Commitment: We cultivate a community where every person can show up authentically and be met with respect

Actions Taken
– Member developed Code of Conduct for enrollment, outlining peer expectations of members
– Holding biannual listening circles to evaluate standards
– Use restorative dialogue to address conflicts
Accountability
Report annually on Code of Conduct community feedback and refine our approach

Access + Equity in Opportunity

Commitment: We aim to eliminate obstacles in member’s full participation

Actions Taken
– Offer travel reimbursements, logistical support, and digital skills training
– Conduct periodic equity audits of programs, applications, and resource distributions
Accountability
Release an annual impact report with equity metrics and our plans to close any gaps

Education + Growth

Commitment: We prioritize continuous personal, artistic, and professional development for all members

Actions Taken
– Provide training for Linkage staff and mentors on available resources
– Actively seek connections in areas identified by community members
Accountability
Track and evaluate referral outcomes, making adjustments quarterly

Transparent Partnerships + Ethical Practice

Commitment: We uphold integrity and transparency in all our partnerships

Actions Taken
– Vet partnerships based on values alignment and past community feedback
– Clearly outline roles, shared power, and mutual benefits in partnership agreements
Accountability
Publish an annual review of partnerships, including community feedback on alignment and impact