A Better Way Foundation (Connecticut)
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"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Hartford, CT
Founded: 1999
Mission: A Better Way Foundation is a Connecticut non-profit organization that is dedicated to a sensible shift in drug policy from one of incarceration to substance abuse treatment and public health.
Tags:
connecticut, policy reform, public education, community organizing, research, drug policy, advocacy
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
Lorenzo Jones.
Lorenzo Jones is executive director of A Better Way Foundation, an organization dedicated to shifting drug policies in Connecticut from a criminal justice to a public health approach.
See full bio.
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
n/a
Total Revenue:
$277,009
From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
PO Box 942
Hartford, CT 6143, USA
Story:
During 1999-2004, ABWF Foundation facilitated a public education and policy advocacy strategy that created important changes in Connecticut’s drug policies. Beginning in 2003, ABWF added an emphasis on improving public safety through public health and prison reform efforts and made resources available to grassroots organizations to have a greater role in criminal justice policy-making.
Expert Reviews of A Better Way Foundation (Connecticut)
Evidence of Impact Summary:
A Better Way Foundation has established a strong reputation of being effective in seeking policy reform and in raising awareness about criminal justice issues.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
According to experts, A Better Way Foundation's intelligent advocacy strategies and competent staff are two of its greatest strengths.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
Experts have indicated possible improvements in ABWF's limited reach and communication strategies.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Successful Policy Reform |
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Their recent effort on marijuana decriminalization was effective, as was their past work on state-level crack/powder sentencing disparity reform. | ||
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ABWF has been successful in not only policy change, as with crack/powder equalization and marijuana decriminalization -- both serious contributors to racial disparities in the criminal justice system -- but also in building constituency power and influence. | ||
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ABWF is one of the most ambitious, creative and successful criminal justice reform organizations in the country. Through their smart advocacy, they've ended mandatory minimums, reformed school zone laws, expanded access to treatment, expanded job opportunities for people with felony convictions, and much more. A Better Way Foundation's fantastic work has lead to remarkable reforms at the state level. They are among the most sophisticated groups in the field -- they are strategic, capable of working in multiple arenas simultaneously (in the legislature, in the community, in rural areas, etc.) and they are relentless in their advocacy. | ||
People First Approach |
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They have consistent leadership from impacted individuals. It is more important that an organization relates to their constituency than those they are advocating against, though it would seem in the sector that many others disagree. Better Way proves that it is all about organizing. Their work on Ban the Box and marijuana decriminalization coincided with Massachusetts' similar victories, showing the power of common legislative struggles. Not by coincidence, both issues have major traction in Rhode Island. Their web presence and materials are indicative of their "people first" approach, but an upgrade in this arena could be very useful in getting their message out. | ||
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They have consistent leadership from impacted individuals. It is more important that an organization relates to their constituency than those they are advocating against, though it would seem in the sector that many others disagree. Better Way proves that it is all about organizing. Their work on Ban the Box and marijuana decriminalization coincided with Massachusetts' similar victories, showing the power of common legislative struggles. Not by coincidence, both issues have major traction in Rhode Island. Their web presence and materials are indicative of their "people first" approach, but an upgrade in this arena could be very useful in getting their message out. | ||
Raising Awareness |
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I am consistently amazed at this organization's ability to bring the concerns of some of the most under-represented and marginalized people to the policy-making table in Connecticut. | ||
Remarkable Reforms |
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A Better Way Foundation's fantastic work has lead to remarkable reforms at the state level. They are among the most sophisticated groups in the field -- they are strategic, capable of working in multiple arenas simultaneously (in the legislature, in the community, in rural areas, etc.) and they are relentless in their advocacy. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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X
Foundation Professionals (F)
X
Researchers and Faculty (R)
X
Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Innovative Advocacy Efforts |
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Their excellent leadership effectively employs savvy advocacy strategies. | ||
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Their advocacy strategies are nothing short of remarkable. Their leadership is likely the most politically savvy of any I know of. | ||
Knowledgeable Staff |
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A Better Way Foundation is run by smart people who come from the communities they represent. | ||
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ABWF works very closely with directly affected communities and does so with great success. Their understanding of the challenges of intent and impact of policy change and their ability to work on implementation in addition to policy reform advocacy makes them a force in Connecticut. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Greater Scope |
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They should grow so that they can work in more states. | ||
Improved Communication Strategies |
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They need a better communications apparatus. | ||
Leadership
Lorenzo Jones
Executive Director
Executive Director
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
with your request.