Our community members not only inform and critique our programming, but Benevolence Farm’s overall systems change logic. Residents and alumni reveal patterns of what is needed as people return from prison. Benevolence Farm co-creates a response that informs policy, narrative, and our very own community-based services. These responses then ultimately guide our coalitional work, state legislative advocacy, and public-facing educational efforts.
As a result, Benevolence Farm has become a respected voice in statewide conversations about reentry, partnering with coalitions, legislators, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to advance practical, effective solutions around housing, driver’s license restoration, employment, SNAP/food access, and other barriers that prevent a successful return home. We believe the people closest to these challenges should help shape the policies designed to solve them.
Benevolence Farm views public education as a critical tool to counter harmful narratives and shift public understanding of reentry, incarceration, dignity, and safety across the rural South.
If you would like us to present at your event or training, community group, business, school, and so on, please e-mail info@benevolencefarm.org.
Check out our advocacy focus areas below:
Benevolence Farm operates a local bail fund that secures the freedom of individuals held on low-level bonds under $2,000. We believe that nobody should be stuck in jail simply because they cannot afford bail.
In North Carolina, people with certain drug level felony convictions are barred from accessing SNAP and TANF benefits. Benevolence Farm calls upon the North Carolina General Assembly to remove the ban affecting thousands of its constituents. To learn more about our advocacy efforts, check out our introductory article here and an opinion piece here.
The Benevolence Farm Welcome Home Soap Project partners with local reentry councils and organizations to provide free high-quality soap to people returning home across the state of North Carolina. To learn more about this project, click here.
Benevolence Farm is a proud member of the North Carolina Fines & Fees Coalition. This Coalition aims to end the practice of funding court systems off the backs of those least able to pay. To learn more, click here.
Benevolence Farm is a member of this campaign to eliminate burdensome phone fees that stand in the way between incarcerated loved ones and their families. To learn more about the national effort to free the phone, click here.