Advancing Real Change, Inc. promotes justice by ensuring that the life histories of people
charged with crimes are at the forefront of their cases.
charged with crimes are at the forefront of their cases.
What's New2021 Webinar Series
A list of webinar dates for the first half of 2021 is now available. Our next sessions will be: June 15: The Role of Trial Teams in Virginia Abolition (Presenters Edward Ungvarsky, Esq., Matthew Engle, Esq., Vivian Hernandez, Esq., and Jennifer Givens) June 29: Treating Neighborhoods as a Witness: The Role of Neighborhoods in Client Development (Presenter Samantha Kennedy, Esq.) To register for upcoming sessions or for more information, click here. We have also announced our dates for the first half of the year and are posting topics as they are confirmed. For those needing to track past participation or simply interested in the types of topics covered in this series, information on the 2020 sessions has been consolidated here. Steps Towards Justice, May 22 and 23
ARC, Inc. is hosting its 2021 “Steps Towards Justice" Hike-a-thon! Join us the weekend of May 22 and 23 by hitting a trail or any location of your choice and asking friends and family to support your activity. Participate on your own or with a group. For every half-mile (1,000 steps) you hike, you'll be raising support for ARC, Inc.’s juvenile justice efforts. At the end of the weekend, we'll be tallying up our total steps or miles to see how far we have come toward justice. Find out more about how to participate or choose a hiker to support. Book Club
our virtual book club will continue to explore mitigation themes as we read Let the Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty by Maurice Chammah. A journalist and staff writer for The Marshall Project, Maurice uses the history of capital punishment in Texas to trace death penalty practices within the U.S. You can join either of our book club groups Tuesday, June 8th or Wednesday, June 9th for our first meeting. Author Maurice Chammah will be our special guest on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:00 p.m. for a special meeting of both groups. For more information and to register, please visit our book club page. Virtual BYOC
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. Our first BYOC of the year has just concluded, but we hope to announce future dates soon. If you are interested in participating, 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 DoWe 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
ARC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN 35-2518417) and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We have been awarded the Gold Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. Visit our financial support page to learn more or to designate your support to our Client Assistance Fund, training efforts across the country, or wherever it's needed most.
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.
ARC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN 35-2518417) and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We have been awarded the Gold Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. Visit our financial support page to learn more or to designate your support to our Client Assistance Fund, training efforts across the country, or wherever it's needed most.
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.