Stigma and Exclusion: How Can We Overcome It?

Stigma and Exclusion: How Can We Overcome It?  
San Jose, 2nd Floor
People who use drugs or have a criminal record for a drug law violation are often stripped of their humanity and face extensive hurdles to leading stable and productive lives. These hurdles can exclude people from public assistance for basic needs like food and housing, deny students financial aid for college, and even lead to loss of child custody. What are some strategies to fight back? Panelists will share their stories.

Facilitator: Grant Smith, Federal Policy Coordinator, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, DC

• Susan Burton, Founder and Executive Director, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and Co-Founder, All of Us or None, Los Angeles, CA      
• Becky Dennison, Co-Director, Los Angeles Community Action Network, Los Angeles, CA 
• JoAnne Page, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Fortune Society, New York, NY 
• Nicole D. Porter, State Advocacy Coordinator, The Sentencing Project, Washington, DC
• Michelle Natividad Rodriguez, Staff Attorney, National Employment Law Project, Oakland, CA           
• Karen Shain, Policy Director, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, San Francisco, CA