(Weekly Update #183)
Dear Members and Advocates,
The holidays are intended to be a time of joy and celebration. For some of us, that will be the case. Unfortunately, for many of us, the holidays serve as a reminder of our status. Every day, people are separated from family and friends because of estrangement or residency restrictions. Worse than living in isolation are those who are discarded to the streets because finding housing is impossible.
If the holidays are getting you down, know that you are not alone. We want to make sure you are not alone so once again Florida Action Committee will be holding a virtual holiday party and YOU ARE INVITED!
Join us for the second annual Florida Action Committee Virtual Holiday Party – ten hours of entertainment. Friday, December 24 (4:00pm-10:00 pm) and Saturday December 25 (4:00pm – 8:00pm). Charge up your phone and call-in at 319-527-3487. Share favorite holiday stories, test your Trivia knowledge, name that Tune and have some laughs. There is still time to sign up to be a DJ, Game Host, Musician, Singer, Comedian, and other talents. Have your moment in the spotlight and take the stage. If you want to host a segment of the party, contact [email protected] or call 833-273-7325, Option 1.
For those who wish to participate in a solemn discussion of gratitude, hope and encouragement, join us for the reading of the Christmas Story, prayer and reflection at the Virtual Christmas Service – Saturday December 25 (Noon-2:00pm). All denominations are welcome, believers and non-believers alike, we are there to listen and support each other with no judgement. Call-in at 319-527-3487. If you have any trouble connecting, text “CALL ME” to 319-527-3487 to receive a call-back and be connect to the service. [FAC Note: FAC is not affiliated with any religious group]
As we begin the process of closing out 2021, we look forward to our goals for 2022. This year we will be incorporating technology into our goal-setting process. In the coming days some of our committees will be posting polls on our website inviting members to vote on which issues you would like FAC to focus on in the coming year. Would you like to see more family support groups? Would you like us to become active in live protests or demonstrations? What legal challenge would you like brought? What legislative initiatives should we encourage our lawmakers to consider? Etc. The online polls will be based on feedback that we have received from our members this past year. Many of you have made suggestions which we have taken into consideration. If you would still like to make a suggestion that you don’t see listed in the poll or you do not have internet access and would like your vote to count, just call us.
And finally, a reminder that there is only one week left in 2021 and our opportunity to have $10,000 in donations matched dollar-for-dollar. Very generous benefactors of FAC were so inspired by those of you who enabled us to reach our goal in the $6000 matching challenge that they agreed to raise the matching funds to $10,000. If we are able to raise an additional $4,000 or more in donations by the end of the year they will match them! Even small donations have added up to a point where we are close, but not quite there. We can be, though! All matching funds will be added on January 1.
Please consider making a year-end donation to FAC and ensure our Ex-Post Facto Challenges currently in the Northern District of Florida (Doe v. Swearingen – Case No: 4:21-cv-00085) and in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (Does v. Swearingen – Case No: 21-10644) will be sustained into the coming year.
Happy holidays to all and we hope to hear from you on our holiday party call!
Sincerely,
Florida Action Committee
Announcements
UPDATE: DOUBLE Donation Challenge – The goal to match $6,000 in donations for the ExPost Facto cases has been met, but Donors say KEEP GOING! Matching funds have been increased and the Double Donation ending date has been extended. Donations to the ExPost Facto lawsuit cases received (or postmarked) by December 31, 2021, will be matched up to $10,000, including tax deductible donations sent to Justice Transitions, Inc. For more information see post on the website or email [email protected] or call 407-814-4203.
Virtual Holiday Party – December 24 Friday (4:00pm-10:00 pm) and December 25 (4:00pm – 8:00pm) – Call-in at 319-527-3487. If you have any trouble connecting, text “CALL ME” to 319-527-3487 to receive a call-back and be connect to the party. There is still time to sigh up to be a DJ, Game Host, Musician, Singer, Comedian, and other talents. Have your moment in the spotlight and take the stage. If you want to host a segment of the party, contact [email protected] or call 833-273-7325, Option 1.
Virtual Christmas Service – December 25 Saturday (Noon-2:00pm) Join us for the reading of the Christmas Story, prayer and reflection for those who wish to participate in a solemn discussion of gratitude, hope and encouragement. All denominations are welcome, believers and non-believers alike, we are there to listen and support each other with no judgement. Call-in at 319-527-3487. If you have any trouble connecting, text “CALL ME” to 319-527-3487 to receive a call-back and be connect to the service.
Thursday January 6th – 8:00 pm Monthly Membership call with FAC Board President and Directors. There will be a discussion on 2021 Accomplishments and 2022 Goals. Call-in at 319-527-3487. If you have any trouble connecting, text “CALL ME” to 319-527-3487 to receive a call-back and be connect to the service.
Saturday January 8th – 11am-1:00pm – Therapist-led Family Support Call (family and support of loved one on the Registry; no Registered Citizens). Call is by invitation only, via Zoom conference and you must be an FAC member. To participant and join the group by video or just phone, email [email protected] or call 833-273-7325, Option 1.
Thursday January 13th – 8:00 pm New Member Orientation call with County Coordinators. Ask questions, get resources, learn more about the FAC Organization and volunteer opportunities. Call-in at 319-527-3487. If you have any trouble connecting, text “CALL ME” to 319-527-3487 to receive a call-back and be connect to the service.
Saturday, January 15th – Duval FAC Meet and Greet in the Riverside area of Jacksonville from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. There will be light refreshments at the end of the meeting and will be a great opportunity to meet and speak with other members in your area! Please RSVP no later than Thursday, January 13th by contacting your Duval County Coordinator by Email [email protected]; telephone call or text (904) 300-0109. You will receive a response back that will provide you with the FAC Meet and Greet’s physical location and parking directions. Hope to see you on the 15th!
Saturday, February 26th – Broward FAC Meet and Greet in the Hollywood from 11am – 2:pm. Light Refreshments and special guest speaker. RSVP to [email protected] or call 833-273-7325, Option 1. Provide your name and the number attending. One of the Broward County Coordinators will call you with location and details.
Need to Talk? FAC has peer volunteers that are here to talk one-on-one, call 904-452-8322. Volunteers are not available 24/7 but you will receive a call as soon as possible. If you have an emergency, call 911, or helpline at 1-800-273-8255 or a crisis center (Listing of Crisis Centers and Hotlines)
SOME HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK
The Collateral Consequences of Exoneration
The holiday season is often a time for family gatherings, and while many will be preparing for reunions in the coming days, it is important to remember the roadblocks returning citizens face. For instance, background checks cause thousands of potential collateral…read more
Former juvenile court judge sentenced to 9 years prison
A former juvenile court judge was sentenced to nine years in prison and another 20 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges. XXXXXXXXX, 39, resigned from his position in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in early…read more
SC: Man says he still has to register as sex offender for having sex with another man
A South Carolina man is suing Attorney General Alan Wilson and SLED Chief Mark Keel, claiming that he still has to register as a sex offender for a buggery charge in which he says he was convicted, and later pardoned, for having consensual sex with another man. The…read more
Former football star arrested for registration violations
Out of respect for the privacy of persons forced to register, we generally don’t post stories about people who get arrested for registration violations. However, because the individual is already a public figure by virtue of him being a former NFL star and because so…read more
Colorado board reverses controversial change to “sex offender” label
Under pressure from the governor and the state’s public safety director, Colorado’s Sex Offender Management Board has reversed its controversial November decision to scrap the term “sex offenders” in its own guiding principles in favor of “adults who commit sexual…read more
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