WHO ARE WE?
We are directly impacted mothers, community organizations, and allied advocates across the country, fighting for family liberation. Many of us met for the first time in 2019 in Philadelphia. We participated in a convening called, “Fighting for Family” co-hosted by the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Together about 50 people, predominantly women, mothers and people of color, decided to deepen our relationships, leverage our expertise, gain momentum, develop coalitions, and build out solidarity against family separation tactics.
At the convening we made a decision to dismantle the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), because it is a legal infrastructure that entrenches a dominant culture of family separation. We understood even before most mainstream institutions believed that the criminal and foster systems work together to oppress marginalized genders, and that people who have been impacted by these systems are best positioned to lead change. That racism, capitalism, colonialism, ableism, sexism, classism, heteronormativity etc., are just some of the dark forces which deprive us of the world we deserve, and that all forms of cages-- physical, political, and spiritual-- must be dismantled. That calling the system a “child welfare” system is disingenuous, it is very truly a family regulation and destruction device
We are building at a time when our movement and momentum of resistance has suffered from isolation, the overwhelming oppressive reach of carceral systems, lack of funding, political access, racism and many more afflictions. We sit in a cold winter of activism, desperately awaiting a summer of change, reckoning and uprising. We are not perfect, but we build where others dare even to set foot. We bare our lacerated hearts to you and to anyone who cares to meaningfully share this vision and dream. Our grief and our joy live together. We will be free, as will our children, and our children’s children.
The Steering Committee
Ashley Albert
She/Her/Hers
Ashley Albert is an activist and parent advocate leader, who draws on her lived experience to help others. She is a formerly incarcerated woman and a parent affected by the family regulation system. As a youth she was involved in the foster care, mental health, and juvenile criminal systems.
Ashley is a member of the steering committee for the Repeal ASFA campaign; a board member of the Pacific Northwest Alternative Peer Group; a member of the Birth Parent National Network; and has served as the Parent Engagement Coordinator for the Washington State Parents 4 Parents program and former facilitator for the Wa state parent ally committee.
Bishop Marcia Dinkins
She/Her/Hers
The Founder and Executive Director of Black Women Rising a grassroots organization that centers the voices and stories of black women using a trauma informed organizing approach for collective healing, power and transformation. Marcia has conducted multiple social justice workshops and organized multi-level campaigns to protect and defend women’s rights. She is currently a Ph.D candidate at Union Institute & University studying Public Policy & Social Change with a specialization in Women & Gender Studies. She has certifications in Cultural Competency, Forgiveness Therapy, Restorative Justice Trainer, Trauma Informed Approach Trainer, Executive Management Leadership and multiple certifications regarding Child welfare.
Kelis Houston
She/Her/Hers
Kelis Houston is Founder of Village Arms. A Christ-centered organization that supports African American families impacted by child protection. VA was created in direct response to the over representation and disparate treatment of African Americans across the child welfare service continuum. Kelis’ mission is to help eradicate these disparities through legislative action, family advocacy and policy reform. She wrote and is advocating for the MN African American Family Preservation Act to stop the arbitrary removal of Black children from their families and community. She also serves as cultural consultant and trainer to child welfare staff, students and service providers.
Vonya Quarles
She/Her/Hers
Vonya Quarles, a California native with southern roots, is a 3rd generation formerly incarcerated woman with lived experiences related to Child Protective Services, adoptions, and foster care. She is the co-founder and director of Starting Over Inc., a reentry service provider and civic engagement apparatus. She is a Women Organizing for Justice Fellow 2010, Women’s Policy Institute fellow 2012/2013, J. Irwin Award recipient 2013, Eleanor Jean Grier Leadership fellow 2014, WKKF Fellow 2015, Rosenberg Fellow 2019. Vonya is a licensed and practicing attorney that blends her formal training with community advocacy, organizing, engagement, and action. A mother and grandmother, Vonya is grateful to the warrior women and men, the strategists, the doers, that have given so much to the fight for freedom. She recognizes that if it weren't for them, she would not have the examples to follow, or the shoulders to stand on. Because of them, she is, and because of them, we can and must WIN.