Via Zoom 

 

Dates:  Sep. 14,  Sep. 21, & September 28

Time: 7:00 CST

 

 

Objective of Course: Within a given timeframe, participants will be able to effectively verbally explain their conviction with a potential employer, landlord, community member, authority, or the media in order to make a positive impression.

 

Chris Miner is a formerly incarcerated activist and a PhD student in Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He also holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Urban Planning, as well as a Master of Social Work degree, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  

During his time at UIUC, Chris started a Registered Student Organization called the TIME Scholars which focused on destigmatizing formerly incarcerated people on campus, worked with local organizations First Followers, the Education Justice Project, and DREAAM Academy before starting his own non-profit, A Way In, which assists people with felony convictions access higher education.  

 

Chris currently teaches Intro to Criminology, facilitates reentry courses with the Hinda Institute, works in community outreach with WIN Recovery, and works with Chicago State University Library and Information Services program to build pathways to reentry for returning citizens.

 

Session 1 – Stories Post Incarceration
Topics Objective of Session
1. 1     Presenting your story – why it makes a difference Identify why you need to tell your story effectively?
To who?
1.2 Stories Post Incarceration Identify various types of stories and strategies

1.3 Evaluation the effectiveness of the presentations? What worked? 

 

  
1.4 How do you feel about telling your story? Recognize how do you feel about telling your stories?  How do you deal with anxiety? Are you willing? Are you comfortable telling your story to a stranger?

Group Discussion

 

 

Session 2 – Practice Your Performance
Topics Objective of Session
1. 1  Review Final questions to prepare you to tell their stories
1.2 Assessment process Introduce guest “listeners” and assessment process

1.3 Performance   

 

 You will have EXACTLY 5 minutes to present the story of their incarceration. This time is non-negotiable. After your performance, the class will take 5 minutes to give their feedback both positive and negative
1.4 Wrap up Lessons learned

1.5 Closure

 Follow up on unanswered questions and comments