SOLUTIONS FROM THE YARD

Episode 61: No Funds, No Fun Pt. 2

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on the impact of parental incarceration on children and families in Washington, DC. Building on Part 1, they examine the broader challenges tied to truancy, family instability, and gaps in support systems intended to assist children with incarcerated parents. Through lived experience and critical analysis, the hosts explore how existing programs often provide temporary relief rather than addressing the root causes of these challenges. They highlight the limitations of short-term interventions and emphasize the need for comprehensive, community-based approaches that offer sustained support for both children and their families. This episode underscores the importance of moving beyond surface-level solutions and investing in strategies that promote long-term stability, opportunity, and well-being for children impacted by incarceration.

Episode 60: No Funds, No Fun Pt. 1

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine the lack of funding and support for youth-focused programs in Washington, DC, with a focus on the Helping Children Impacted by Parental Incarceration Amendment Act of 2020. They discuss how, despite the passage of the legislation, its implementation has fallen short, leaving many children without the resources and support the law intended to provide. Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation highlights the long-term impact of parental incarceration on children and the importance of consistent, well-funded support systems. The hosts emphasize that without proper investment and follow-through, even well-intentioned policies cannot achieve meaningful change. This episode calls attention to the gap between policy and practice, underscoring the need for accountability, adequate funding, and sustained commitment to programs that support children and families affected by incarceration.

Episode 59: Prevention or Intimation Pt. 2

n this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on crime prevention policy in Washington, DC, taking a closer look at the long-term impact of the Safer, Stronger Amendment Act of 2023. They examine how an increased focus on harsher penalties and enforcement has failed to produce meaningful improvements in public safety. Through lived experience and critical analysis, the hosts highlight the consequences of sustained disinvestment in community-based solutions. They discuss the lack of funding for prevention-focused initiatives and question the priorities of policies that emphasize punishment over support. This episode reinforces the need for a shift in approach, calling for intentional investment in programs and resources that address the root causes of crime. The conversation emphasizes that true public safety is built through prevention, opportunity, and community stability—not intimidation.

Episode 58: Prevention or Intimidation Pt. 1

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine recent changes in crime prevention policy in Washington, DC, with a focus on the Safer, Stronger Amendment Act of 2023. They explore how the legislation introduces harsher penalties while raising questions about whether these measures truly prevent crime or simply reinforce punitive approaches. Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation highlights the difference between prevention and intimidation, emphasizing how policies that rely on enforcement alone often fail to address the root causes of harm. The hosts also discuss the broader impact of disinvestment in schools, recreational spaces, and community resources, and how these gaps contribute to cycles of crime. This episode challenges listeners to reconsider what effective prevention looks like and calls for greater investment in community-based solutions that create safety through support, opportunity, and long-term stability.

Episode 57: Concrete Talk

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts are joined by Eric Franklin for a continued conversation on the realities of reentry, with a focus on the barriers returning citizens face when accessing basic resources. The discussion centers on the challenges surrounding SNAP benefits and the critical role they play in supporting individuals as they transition back into the community. Drawing from lived experience, the hosts and Eric highlight the systemic obstacles that often delay or prevent access to essential assistance, creating additional hardship during an already vulnerable time. They emphasize how gaps in support can contribute to economic instability and make successful reintegration more difficult. This episode underscores the importance of policy changes and sustained investment in resources that meet people’s basic needs, reinforcing that access to food, stability, and support is fundamental to successful reentry and long-term community well-being.