Living with Conviction: Comprehensive Market Research Report

Background

Overview

Living with Conviction is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to securing economic and racial justice for marginalized communities, particularly those directly impacted by mass incarceration. The organization employs community-driven research, storytelling, and legal empowerment strategies to assist individuals in understanding and exercising their post-conviction rights.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To secure economic and racial justice with and by marginalized communities, especially formerly incarcerated individuals, through community-driven research, storytelling, and legal empowerment strategies.

Vision: To create a world where marginalized communities, particularly those with criminal histories, know and freely exercise their rights, regardless of whom they love, the color of their skin, the depths of their pockets, and the worst thing they ever did, in order to enjoy the opportunities that accrue from those rights and realize their full potential.

Primary Area of Focus

The organization focuses on assisting individuals in navigating the complexities of post-conviction relief, particularly in reducing court-imposed debts known as Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) and addressing unconstitutional drug possession convictions.

Industry Significance

Living with Conviction plays a crucial role in advocating for systemic change within the criminal justice system, aiming to dismantle barriers that hinder the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society. By focusing on legal empowerment and community-driven solutions, the organization contributes to broader efforts in criminal justice reform and social equity.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Legal Empowerment: Equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves in legal matters related to post-conviction relief.

Community Advocacy: Engaging in research and advocacy at various levels, including legislative bodies, courts, and community organizations, to influence policies affecting marginalized communities.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs): Assisting individuals in understanding and reducing court-imposed debts.

Conviction Vacatur: Helping individuals vacate unconstitutional drug possession convictions.

Key Technologies Utilized

While specific technological platforms are not detailed, the organization employs community-driven research and storytelling methods to inform their advocacy and support services.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

The organization primarily serves marginalized communities in Washington State, focusing on individuals with criminal histories seeking post-conviction relief.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Living with Conviction is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Specific details regarding total funds raised and recent funding rounds are not publicly disclosed. The organization relies on donations and grants to support its operations.

Notable Investors

As a nonprofit entity, Living with Conviction does not have investors in the traditional sense but is supported by individual donors, foundations, and community partners.

Intended Utilization of Capital

Funds are utilized to provide free peer-to-peer assistance in removing barriers that unrepresented individuals face in understanding and exercising their rights to post-conviction relief, particularly in reducing court debt.

Pipeline Development

Specific details regarding pipeline candidates, stages of clinical trials, or product development are not applicable to Living with Conviction, as it is a nonprofit organization focused on legal empowerment and advocacy rather than product development.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

The organization employs community-driven research and storytelling methods to inform their advocacy and support services. While specific technological platforms are not detailed, these approaches are central to their operations.

Significant Scientific Methods

Community-Driven Research: Engaging directly with affected communities to gather insights and inform advocacy efforts.

Storytelling: Utilizing personal narratives to highlight systemic issues and drive change.

AI-Driven Capabilities

There is no specific information indicating the use of AI-driven capabilities within the organization's operations.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

Deborah Espinosa, MA, JD: Executive Director, Attorney, and Multimedia Storyteller. Deborah leads the organization, overseeing strategic direction and operations.

Sophia Thomas, MBA: Deputy Director and Legal Empowerment Navigator. Sophia supports the Executive Director and leads initiatives related to legal empowerment.

Anna Bosch, JD, LLM, PhD: Legal Director, Researcher, and Attorney. Anna provides legal expertise and conducts research to inform the organization's advocacy.

Kyrrah Nork: IT Director and Legal Empowerment Navigator. Kyrrah manages the organization's IT infrastructure and supports legal empowerment initiatives.

Michael Bayles: Legal Empowerment Director and Navigator. Michael leads programs focused on legal empowerment and assists individuals in navigating post-conviction relief.

Lisa Giap: Legal Empowerment Navigator and Development Specialist. Lisa works directly with individuals seeking legal empowerment and supports development efforts.

Nicole McMurray, MS: Operations Specialist. Nicole ensures efficient organizational operations and supports various programs.

Benjamin Brockie: Indigenous Outreach Specialist. Benjamin focuses on outreach and support for Indigenous communities.

Jordan Casey: Administrative Assistant. Jordan provides administrative support to the team.

Board of Directors

Keshena Williams: President, US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Marcia Glover: Treasurer, Photographer.

Luanna Soledad Gomez, PhD: Secretary, Associate Faculty, Shoreline Community College.

Marcus Price: Reentry Manager, Seattle Clemency Project.

Ramon Cazarez: Re-Entry Specialist, WorkSource.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The nonprofit sector focusing on post-conviction relief and legal empowerment is growing, with increasing recognition of the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system. Organizations like Living with Conviction are pivotal in advocating for policies that support the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Competitor Analysis

While specific competitors are not detailed, other organizations in the Seattle area and Washington State focusing on similar missions include Clearviction, which aims to reduce barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals by streamlining the process of vacating eligible convictions.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Living with Conviction has partnered with organizations like Pioneer Human Services to help residents lower their LFO debt burden.

Operational Insights

The organization differentiates itself through its community-driven approach, directly involving those with lived experience in the criminal justice system in its operations and decision-making processes.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Living with Conviction has the opportunity to expand its reach by forming additional partnerships, enhancing its advocacy efforts, and leveraging technology to streamline services. By continuing to empower marginalized communities and advocate for systemic change, the organization is well-positioned to achieve its mission of economic and racial justice.