The bail system in this country is one of the many ways that systemic racism and oppression is reinforced. "The Haves" can pay to await trial in the comfort of their communities while maintaining their jobs and contributing to their families. "The Have Nots" often endure secondary losses (jobs, child care, etc) because they end up detained while awaiting trial. The Bail Project is an unprecedented effort to combat mass incarceration at the front end of the system. This organization pays bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. Because bail is returned at the end of a case, donations to The Bail Project can be recycled and reused to pay bail two to three times per year, maximizing the impact of every dollar. 100% of online donations are used to bring people home.

We have picked this charity as a shout out to St. Louis, Liz's home town and site of the wedding. Jamaa Birth Village's mission is "To provide affordable access to Midwives & Doulas of color and Childbirth & Parenting education in the St. Louis region to lower prematurity, maternal-infant morbidity and mortality through a network of health professionals and peers."

This is a gift for our DC community in response to the Covid crisis... As part of the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, many families will receive checks from the U.S. government. Many of our neighbors will be left out of this critically important relief simply because of their immigration status. Even documented immigrants are excluded from receiving relief, if they lack a Social Security number. With your help, we will begin to reverse this discriminatory choice and get much-needed money into the hands of immigrant communities - who are already among the hardest hit by the economic impacts of social distancing and other prudent practices.