Justice involved Individual - people who are now, or have spent time, in jails, youth correctional facilities, or prisons.
Synopsis.
Elevate: Journeys From Tragedy to Triumph follows Raymond, Shron and Jessie in different stages of re-entry as they prepare lead a discussion with other justice involved individuals around the causes and solutions to crime. This is an eye opening documentary that gives the audience a glimpse into the stories of these men as they grapple, heal and work to make amends with their communities and themselves.
Synopsis:
Three men in different stages of re-entry were brought together with the goal of helping them to create and facilitate a conversation around the causes and solutions to crime. Sometimes when you’re not invited to the table you have to build the table and then invite others to join you at it. That’s just what these men do. Together they worked to design and facilitate conversations around re-entry in hopes of uncovering the causes and solutions to crime from the people who know best.
The journey through the justice system has many hardships and obstacles. Throughout this documentary these men courageously share their stories, their hopes and their dreams and they work to rebuild their lives, give back to society and create programs to help others going through the re-entry process as well.
Elevate: Journeys From Tragedy to Triumph was funded by the Elevate Grant Program given by the Central Indiana Community Foundation in 2023. It was produced in partnership with The Felege Hiywot Center and P.A.C.E (Public Action in Correctional Effort), Gina Fears and Agile Management LLC.
Director’s Statement
My own brother in law was a justice involved person. I spent much of the beginning of my marriage accompanying my husband to visit his brother in prison. I saw him try to navigate life after prison. It wasn’t until this project that I understood what obstacles he was truly facing.
In 2006, 2014 and 2016 my own family was impacted by gun violence. As I worked on this I heard the same stories of the youth I had worked with at The Felege Hiywot Center almost 20 years ago. They were young, living in underserved areas, and didn’t have someone in their lives to interrupt the systemic and intentional design of the communities they lived in. I learned that yes - we all have choices to make. But kids are kids - no matter their skin color or ethnicity. They are influenced by their environment and the adults around them. These men are smart, gifted in leadership and charisma. But what environment are these gifts flourishing in? What doors open as a result of one’s environment?
These men went through the system and came out with a purpose to make amends. They own what they’ve done and are turning around to make things right and help others who are going through the re-entry process as well. I will be forever grateful for this experience. I hope that this documentary opens the eyes of those who watch the film about the reality of systemic racism and the intentional divestment in communities to keep certain groups of people marginalized and in the prison pipeline. I hope that young people who see this will make wiser choices. I also hope the families and friends will gain awareness of the obstacles that individuals face once they come out of prison and find ways we can help our communities heal.
