ACT. (Advocates for Community Transformation)

A PraxisLab venture, ACT. is a non-profit that has the purpose of transforming communities that have been affected by violence. The violence is a result of decades of violence that has not been addressed, ACT. highlights that this problem is widespread across many communities making families feel trapped in unsafe neighborhoods. The goal of this non-profit is to equip those living in dangerous and violent neighborhoods with an understanding of how to use the justice system to make their homes safe. ACT. does this by building relationships in communities to find out who in the area has a criminal record and if they are affecting the community. ACT. then searches for the leaders in the community to get residents connected and united in creating a safer community. ACT. then uses the local resources such as police departments, churches, and non-profits, networking to understand who they can work with to help better the community. Finally, ACT. brings in lawyers from firms that they partner with to put a stop to violent behavior through the justice system. On their website, ACT. shares their theological motivation through the recognition that “God is unfailingly committed to the holistic renewal of His original, good creation.”

I love this, it is surprising to me that I had not heard of a venture that tackled this issue. Further, by using the justice system to do so. Much of the time, we see that the justice system is not helping. ACT. gives so many people hope for a better and safer community.