If you’ve ever been to a Defy in-prison event, this name tag will look familiar. To make one, you choose a positive adjective that begins with the same letter of your first name. If you’ve joined us for a virtual event, you’ve named yourself the same way on Zoom! 

We’re Determined Defy because we’re determined to defy the odds and challenge a system that makes second chances difficult for people with criminal histories. 

We are determined to:
- Shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance.
- Cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives.
- Advance racial and economic justice through our programs that address systemic inequities and dismantle barriers

We’re also determined to do something else … go back into prison in person!

The pandemic was particularly challenging in prison. As programs abruptly came to a halt, people spent more time than ever alone and without much to help them prepare for their best shot at success in reentry. 

Defy got creative last year to deliver our in-prison program via correspondence education and provide incarcerated Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) with materials to keep them inspired and motivated. It was hard for EITs (and all of us!) not having in-person events like this:
 

But EITs were still able to engage with the written parts of Defy’s program, thanks to the hard work of staff and support from our donors.

EIT A. Flores said,
“Volunteers: thank you for generously donating to help Defy Ventures give second chances, and Defy staff, thank you for sending me Book 3 to motivate me, once again. Thank you for all of your positive messages that you sent us.”

So now, we’re happy to report that the Determined Defy team is hard at work getting ready to go back into prison and restart our programs in person. The in-person elements of our program, especially in prison, are crucial to having a successful “inside-outside” program. 

What makes our program an “inside-outside” program? Defy helps prepare Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) for release while they’re incarcerated, and we connect with EITs once they’re out to help them get jobs and start businesses.  

Defy volunteers and supporters play a huge role in both our in-prison and post-release programs. If you’ve been to prison with us, this scene should look familiar:
 

Though it’s been a while since we’ve had an in-prison event, volunteers still supported EITs through letters and donated books during the pandemic. 

And as for our post-release events, EITs have connected with the Defy community through virtual events over the last year and a half: