Cart 0

There is no place for mass incarceration in a civilized world.

 

The MAP Project

 

Submit your business/organization to The MAP Project:

 

Programs

A transmasculine person waiting for the bus close up.jpg

Reentry / economic mobility & workforce development Ecosystem

WITNESS creates long-term pathways to economic independence and stability through The MAP Project, the Art of Tailoring & Fashion Design, WITNESSWorks, WITNESS-US, and our Sustainable Manufacturing Hub. Together, these programs connect vocational training, entrepreneurship, employment, market access, and ongoing support.

 
prison2.png

Conditions of confinement

We expect to lose our freedom when we are incarcerated, but we do not expect our lives to be at risk.

 
Evie Speaking at a solitary is torture rally.jpg

Education & Advocacy

Since 2021, nearly 400 interns and volunteers from universities across the country have contributed to WITNESS. They work across economic development, journalism, social media, civic engagement, game development, and special projects while developing leadership skills and helping expand our programs.

 
WITNESS Interns, Evie, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards

Interns and Volunteers

Since 2021, nearly 400 interns and volunteers from universities across the country have contributed to WITNESS. They work across economic development, journalism, social media, civic engagement, game development, and special projects while developing leadership skills and helping expand our programs.

 

Youth Advisory Council

WITNESS is creating a Youth Advisory Council from our intern base. Council members will engage students at their schools who are interested in issues surrounding mass incarceration and invite them to participate in monthly Zoom meetings, contribute ideas, and become involved in WITNESS’s work.

Special Events

WITNESS responds directly to urgent community needs, During COVID-19, our Food Relief Initiative  provided grocery gift cards to members of our community. Through our Hats & Gloves for Rikers campaign, we raised $45,000 to provide hats, gloves, and socks to 5,600 incarcerated people at Rikers Island.

DONATE

 In Memoriam

Memorialize the life of a loved one by supporting our mission to place the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people of color, Indigenous people, and LGBTQIA2S individuals at the forefront of the movement for reducing mass incarceration.

Memorial donations are donations given in memory of someone who has passed away as a way to honor both them and their family.

People we loved

Urvashi Vaid

October 8, 1958-May 14, 2022

WITNESS received a very generous donation to honor the memory of Urvashi Vaid, a legendary lesbian activist.

pets we loved

Ali Litwok

April 6, 2006-August 30, 2022

On August 30, 2022, I had to put my love- ALI, my companion of 16 years to sleep. She was a vital part of my life and my work as she traveled with me to every event and conference. I made a donation to WITNESS in her honor.