Our Social Impact

Marlon Chamberlain, Englewood Community Project Manager for READI Chicago, discusses his work with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, in this episode of Our Social Impact. Marlon reflects on violent crime prevention strategies employed by READI Chicago and the effects of underinvestment in South Chicago communities. Dirk and Marlon also discuss reacclimating to life after prison and creating positive reference groups in at-risk communities https://youtu.be/HYtNmbfjrP8 Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Salena Taylor, Founder of Partial to Girls, joins Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund in this episode of Our Social Impact. Salena discusses overcoming the trauma of incarceration, the difficulties of life on parole, and the barriers faced by those reentering society from prison. Dirk and Salena also dive deeper into how Jackson College in Michigan is assisting incarcerated people access education and invest in the future. https://youtu.be/YCKPeRFRQBM   Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Juan Flores, a member of the Underground Scholars program at U.C. Berkeley, explores his unlikely journey to college with the Founder and CEO of the Prison Scholar Fund, Dirk van Velzen. Juan discusses his incredible journey from prison to the top public university in California. Tune in to learn about Juan’s current research at Berkeley, the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated people seeking education, and how Underground Scholars is making college possible for those with criminal convictions. https://youtu.be/EgkgPqdCyzI   Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Hakim Crampton, Founder and Director of AMEN 4 Youth, sits down with Dirk van Velzen, Founder and CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, to discuss his experience with the Innocence Project, life on parole, and his current work as a juvenile justice advocate. In this episode, Dirk and Hakim swap stories from their experiences going through the clemency and parole systems, and from their time with JustLeadershipUSA. Hakim also does a deep dive into his work teaching students hip-hop and rap to improve their literacy levels and classroom engagement. https://youtu.be/4C5Glqz8jhU   Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Michael Cheever, College Success Foundation Executive Vice President of External Affairs, and Anthony Peterson, Alumni Board Member, share their experience supporting first generation college students with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund. Hear about the evolution of College Success Foundation from a scholarship awarding organization to an academic support system for students beginning in middle school and running through college . Michael, Anthony, and Dirk also discuss structuring effective mentorship programs and creating robust community partnerships to promote college-going cultures in underserved communities. https://youtu.be/STuKJDL6Aac Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Listen in as Almetta Pitts, Founder of Attemla Consulting and TeamChild board member, joins Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, to discuss interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. Almetta brings her insight to undoing institutional racism, addressing implicit bias, and viewing the prison system through a human lens. Learn about Almetta’s path from teaching in South Korea to her work promoting diversity, equity, and belonging here in the United States. https://youtu.be/3jOK8IP-1fg   Invest in Potential - Make a Gift Today!

Violeta Alvarez chats with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, of the challenges and opportunities that system impacted people, especially students, face. We discuss the Underground Scholars Initiative at the University of California, Berkeley, and the community it affords. Now attending Hastings Law School, Violeta has her eye on major change; for example, the abolition of prisons. https://youtu.be/s13myDN8U6I

Life after prison can be daunting. Goldie Russell sits down with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, on this episode to Our Social Impact to talk, hardships, triumph, and perspective. Goldie approaches transition with the attitude that fear will not guide it as it can produce beautiful fruits, thrilling experiences, and a unique perspective that even Ghandi could be proud of. https://youtu.be/3bvwywB2RtY

Nicholas Bradford, Founder and Executive Director at the National Center for Restorative Justice (NC4RJ), sits down with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund, and unpacks how Restorative Justice is a "relational approach to conflict." Primarily working in schools the NC4RJ has created a language that speaks to our human nature to connect and be in community. Conflict makes that difficult and we need strategies and systems that will address those difficulties, besides our traditional way of exclusion and isolation. King County, Washington, has initiated a Zero Youth Detention Initiative, this goal will need both deep community support and political commitments. Restorative Justice when implemented well can be a game changer for communities, victims, authors of harm, and police. We have to question our assumptions about how we respond to harm in school and in our community. https://youtu.be/QZttt24mUYM

Stanford undergrad Jason Spyres talks with Dirk van Velzen, CEO of the Prison Scholar Fund, about his journey from being a poor youth and making mistakes based upon improper notions of what success is, and how he came to a clear understanding of what he wanted for himself, and the impact he wanted to make upon society. After being released from a 30-year prison sentence for nonviolent cannabis offenses, he went back to school and eventually transferred to Stanford University, where he currently studies computer science. Jason reveals his understanding of the barriers others face, including institutional and systemic barriers that are not equal across all demographics, and works daily to help equalize the playing field. https://youtu.be/FiAb5SO3sDg

Marquis Elliott, AKA Preacher, answers this question when he sits down with Dirk van Velzen, CEO at the Prison Scholar Fund. Preacher believes many people are afraid of not being themselves because of criticism. He explores how some people need to understand that life is subjected to nothing but all types of criticism. Once you grab onto the fact that change is inevitable and not everyone will understand the person you are and/or became, then you will be able to accept who you are and find out what you're supposed to be doing in life. Preacher digs deep into dreams, goals, and passions that are meant for you and you only, and if others do not understand them then maybe they are not meant to be around you or with you as you grow. https://youtu.be/RHKlA533Zxc

Ep#022 - New Profit's Case for Applying Venture Capital Principles to Social Impact Investing Brian Screnar, Partner at New Profit Foundation, sat down with Dirk van Velzen at the Prison Scholar Fund to talk about how his nonprofit uses venture capital evaluations and metrics to investin in social entrepreneurs that have proven their models. https://youtu.be/3r2BmWP2rhg

Marcus Bullock sat down with Dirk Van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss his journey to build Flikshop, a mobile app that helps families and organizations send notifications to incarcerated residents via postcards. We discuss the entrepreneurial path, his failures along way, and how he is helping to create success stories for other returning citizens. Bullock believes that we can prevent recidivism if we help keep love, positive affirmations, and notifications about resources that most people do not have access to while they’re in prison. How are we going to create successful reentry plans after release? “Scalable tech”, Bullock says. https://youtu.be/uZjwpZ2HY-E  

Donald Summers, founder of Altruist Partners, is known globally for his work dramatically accelerating nonprofit growth, revenue, and social impact. He spoke with Dirk van Velzen at the Prison Scholar Fund about what it takes to transform your organization from struggling to true success. There are hard truths and brutal realities, along with clear, practical and actionable directions about how to become a more effective leader for making the world a better place. https://youtu.be/IwZrd3JTk_c

Julian Saucier sat down with Dirk Van Velzen to discuss his journey from incarcerated person to Executive Director of Yoga Behind Bars. He talks about his experience in prison, how learning yoga in prison shaped the course of his rehabilitation, and how he continues to use the lessons he learned from that experience to develop a positive mindset as well as the power, purpose, and passion needed to guide Yoga Behind Bars into the future. This conversation highlights how important the teachings provided by yoga were to give the introspection and reflection needed to make the most of opportunities in a world that can at times feel exhausting and challenging. https://youtu.be/wrG8LX1VnBg

Claire Gorey sat down with Dirk Van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to talk about her work as a 16-year-old changemaker. She talks about her A-Ha moment when it became clear she needed to get involved and be the change. Claire talks about her role as co-founder of her high school's Empowerment Club, as a chapter lead for March for our Lives, and her work to turn a Red district Blue for the first time in over 40 years. Learn how this 16-year-old was able to get over 200 people to join her for a community rally against gun violence and support common-sense gun reform. Join us for a conversation that will leave you inspired and confident in this generation of youth leaders whose work today is focused on getting our nation back on track because they cannot wait. https://youtu.be/dEPUdC8BUsw

Leo Novsky, Executive Director at Defy Ventures, Washington, sat down with Dirk van Velzen at the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss how his organization unlocks human potential in prisons and beyond. https://youtu.be/R0TQxK_notk

Robert Wood, PSF Board Director and Senior Social Media Advisor, as well as #Cut50 ambassador, sat down to talk to Dirk van Velzen, CEO at PSF, about how he entered federal prison as a gang member serving 25 years for a drug conspiracy and ended up earning four degrees including a dual Bachelor's of Science in Small Business Management and Marketing, graduated magna cum laude, and began his MBA degree. As he continues his volunteer efforts for both organizations he is writing a book entitled, Wired to Win, which is designed to help others in tough situations understand what it takes to succeed in any situation. https://youtu.be/iN8BhiIbxG4

Quintin Williams, campaign manager at Heartland Alliance, sits down with Dirk van Velzen to discuss his policy work in Illinois, how he approaches the work, and his hopes for a better future for everyone, especially people with criminal records. https://youtu.be/yxTWpDR_2IM

Prison Scholar Jenny Iredale, Therapist at Royal Life Center, sat down with Dirk van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss her educational journey while in prison, including being thrown "the hole" (segregation) for tweeting for the PSF, to life in the free world changing the lives of people with chemical dependency challenges. Jenny feels that she is living proof that we can turn our lives around. She uses experiences from her past to make a positive impact in the lives of others. https://youtu.be/Qojhfo0qBd0

Google employees Michelle DiGiglio and Trevor Wiessler discuss with Dirk van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund the volunteer opportunities found through Google Serve and what motivates them to give back to their community. They also discuss the challenges facing criminal justice reform and the impact that volunteering has made and may make in the future.

Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey sat down with Dirk Van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to talk about her journey to fintech and how she has created a Certified B, social impact company that is helping people who are experiencing financial challenges connect to local, community resources that help them get back on track and begin to pay and save again. Rochelle believes that when people aren't paying their bills, it's because something has happened in their lives that make it impossible to pay. We discuss how creating innovation in the financial services industry can be slow going but the opportunity to change how we treat those living paycheck to paycheck can bring big wins for the lenders who are willing to innovate and show empathy to their customers. She shares the importance of listening to the stories behind a person's inability to pay and how doing so helps people get back on track. Last year, SpringFour made over 1 million referrals to community-based resources that helped people become financially healthy. https://youtu.be/wfVnEXttLi8

Clinton Taylor is the Founder and Executive Director of Your Money Matters Mentoring a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization who at no cost to participants provides financial education and mentoring support for economically vulnerable, low income youth and young adults sat down with Dirk Van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss his work in the greater Seattle, Tacoma area. Clinton shared with Dirk and his audience the growing need for more financial education in our communities in particular areas where low income youth and young adults reside and how Your Money Matters Mentoring is helping to educate and support our youth and young adults. https://youtu.be/HRJoxhOwy1o

Banking veteran Nick Anderson joins Our Social Impact to discuss a wide variety of topics all connected to his experience working with the nonprofit sector as a banker and board member. Anderson shares some of his grad school research on Impact Investing, he tells us about mistakes he’s made as a volunteer board member and he gets real with his thoughts on how society values the nonprofit sector particularly around overhead expense and compensation for nonprofit employees. He also tells us which of his three sons is his favorite! https://youtu.be/J1s0scg-QUI

Jonathan McGee, CEO and Founder, of the Global Organization for Applied Political Leadership discusses his background growing up on the Southside of Chicago and how began his work in advocacy with Dirk Van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund. He shares best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for success around how to use personal narratives as a strategy for change and advocacy. https://youtu.be/mhqnDn349HM

3D Sustainable Developments looks to provide viable solutions to governments, NGOs and industry for addressing the vast housing shortage, global waste issues, and natural disaster recovery. Using their patented 3D printers, high-performance concretes, and precast concrete components they’ll facilitate the mass-production of sustainable, natural disaster resistant, low-cost housing. 3DSD also provides a solution to large-scale waste issues by partnering with industrial waste producers and organizations responsible for remediation & disaster clean up to convert large waste-steams & deposits into their high-performance 3D printer inks. https://youtu.be/xdfKDf2HksE

Ronald Simpson-Bey sits down with Dirk van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss his journey during 27 years of wrongful conviction and overturning cases as a jailhouse lawyer to the University of Michigan and the first cohort in JustLeadership USA's Leading with Conviction (LwC) program. LwC is a year-long, cohort-based advanced leadership training for formerly incarcerated, mid-senior level leaders with a specific and proven track record in advocacy and community organizing. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org https://youtu.be/HW7clGEJdSo

Sarah Gad has an amazing story to tell PSF's Executive Director Dirk van Velzen on Our Social Impact. She is a formerly-incarcerated Cook County, Illinois, prisoner turned University of Chicago law student who is fighting for criminal justice and drug law reform. This is an excellent example of the power of education and how those affected by a problem have a chief hand in creating a solution. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org https://youtu.be/EHXRLDJY7Wk

Jodi Anderson sits down with Dirk van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss his journey from a maximum security prison to Cornell University to earning a full scholarship at Stanford University. Now in his senior year, Jodi unpacks how his departed Grandfather’s early lessons and discipline prepared him to pursue opportunity and purpose beyond his present circumstances and navigate the radically different environments he would ultimately inhabit. Join Dirk and Jodi as they delve into the the intersection of incarceration and stifled social mobility, early recruitment into the underground economy, the necessity of working twice as hard, and the self-fashioning power of education. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org https://youtu.be/-CEIix3ZkVM

Brent Orrell sat down with Dirk van Velzen of the Prison Scholar Fund to discuss his work on criminal justice reform at The American Enterprise Institute. We discuss topics such as personal agency, the stress experienced by corrections officers, restoring Pell grants for prisoners, and the importance of human flourishing. Brent Orrell believes that “government is a reflection of who we are as people”, so join us for a conversation on how we can shape the criminal justice system to better reflect our values as a people and nation. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org Watch the podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/DDiLEMGS-XU

Lacie West, Executive Director or the Service Board, sits down with Dirk van Velzen, Executive Director of the Prison Scholar Fund, and discusses how snowboarding helps youth develop as leaders. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org Watch the podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/kYzRHBzhTAE

A discussion on addiction, homelessness, and Seattle with filmmaker Kevin Ronca and author Wesley D. Irwin who sit down with Prison Scholar Fund Executive Director Dirk van Velzen. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org; Kevin Ronca, writebrainstudios@gmail.com; Wesley Irwin, info@kingtinyhands.com Watch the podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/68ODY79S0l0

Be amazed at the creative genius of system-impacted entrepreneurs David Israel and Spencer Oberg, who sit down with Dirk van Velzen, Executive Director of the Prison Scholar Fund. David and Spencer discuss their new enterprise GOOD PLANeT Foods and executing in the fast-growing plant-based cheese industry. Feel free to connect with Dirk van Velzen, dirk@prisonscholars.org Watch the podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/4ZdyzQ1k2Eg