Advancing Real Change, Inc. promotes justice by ensuring that the life histories of people
​charged with crimes are at the forefront of their cases.

---

What's New

​

---

Together Towards Justice
Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 4 p.m. Eastern for our first-ever virtual event. Sister Helen Prejean will join us as our keynote speaker as we spend an evening celebrating excellence in mitigation.  The event will also feature the presentation of our inaugural Muhammad-White Award and more. To attend, purchase your tickets here. You may also purchase a signed copy of Sister Helen Prejean's latest book, River of Fire.

---

Coming Soon: ARC, Inc.'s Jacksonville office
​Our Jacksonville office will officially open on October 19, led by Office Director Sara Baldwin. We are excited to welcome Sara to ARC, Inc. and look forward to working with her to bring high quality mitigation investigation to more clients throughout the state. For the full Jacksonville announcement and additional details, click here.

If you have a case in Florida or the surrounding region that would benefit from having an ARC, Inc. staff member as the mitigation specialist, please contact us.

Sara Baldwin, Florida Office Director

---

2020 Webinar Series
Our final session of the September schedule will be a follow-up session on investigation during COVID-19 with Liz Vartkessian. It will be held Tuesday, September 29 at 1pm. Visit our webinar registration page for more information or to register now.

We have also recently announced our October schedule, which features sessions on storytelling, understanding gang membership, and trauma. You can sign up here.
​

---

Book Club
Thanks to everyone who participated in our last book club discussion on Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward. We will be announcing our next selection and reading schedule soon. Click here for more information and to register.

---

Remote Technical Assistance
Due to the postponement of the Bring Your Own Case training programs hosted by the NACDL, ARC, Inc., the Arizona Capital Representation Project, and attorney John Holdridge, we are pleased to offer capital defense teams working on capital cases at the state level a virtual opportunity for case-specific technical support (through in-depth case consultation) with experts in mitigation, mental health, litigation, and other key topics.

If you are interested in receiving support, please have one team member complete the brief screening form  here. ​

---

Resource Clearinghouse - Updated Content
Did you know that our Resource Clearinghouse is being constantly updated with new materials? Visit now for materials from our recent webinars, tools for working during COVID-19, and more. First-time visitors can request an account here, while returning visitors may access the Clearinghouse directly.

What We Do

We serve as mitigation specialists on defense teams for indigent clients facing extreme sentences. Our goal is to develop an accurate, multi-dimensional account of the accused's life, including investigating the circumstances of the offense. Each investigation requires multiple in-depth conversations with the client, interviews with those with knowledge of the client's life, and exhaustive records searches. Because each client's experiences are unique, no two investigations are the same.

We pursue our mission by
- engaging in direct casework,
- hosting and presenting at high-quality trainings for defenders at all stages of their professional development,
- providing technical assistance, and
- providing high-quality online training and materials such as our Resource Clearinghouse.

We are committed to following the ABA Guidelines for Mitigation Function of Defense Team in Capital Cases and the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth Guidelines for the representation of child clients. We work as part of teams in which all members are able to contribute as equals and share a commitment to providing high-quality services. 

---

At A Glance

Our work takes us across the country and includes work on capital and juvenile cases and at all stages.

---

What Is Mitigation?

ARC, Inc.'s Executive Director, Liz Vartkessian, gives a brief description of the meaning of mitigation.

​Thanks to our friends at the J.M. Kaplan Fund for producing this video as part of the J.M.K. Innovation Prize. ​

---

Get Involved

Make a donation
Designate your support to our Client Assistance Fund, training efforts across the country, or wherever it's needed most. Visit our financial support page to learn more. 

Volunteer
We are always looking for dedicated volunteers. Complete this form to let us know how you're most interested in helping.

​Learn more
Requests for ARC, Inc. participation at an upcoming training or other project may be sent to info@advancechange.org.

View past issues here