Updates from the Exoneree Network

Building the Infrastructure to Support the Community,
June 2022 - June 2023

With the vision laid out by its founders – Victor Rosario, Ray Champagne, and Sean Ellis – the Exoneree Network used this past year to build its infrastructure to best support the community of exonerees, people freed but still fighting a wrongful conviction, and those coming home after long-term incarceration. It has been a busy year for the Exoneree Network, and here are just a few of the highlights:

  • Building the Team: Director Sean Ellis built a team of people who are skilled and deeply committed to this work based on their backgrounds and life experiences, making it possible to offer additional resources and services to exonerees and freed people. Please join us in welcoming our new EN staff members:

    • Carolina Nunes, Operations Administrator

    • Shar’Day Taylor, Social Services Advocate

    • Sean Graham, Community Reentry & Program Specialist

  • Funding the Vision: The Exoneree Network has worked to build funding for its vision. During just this last year, EN received funding from:

    • The Massachusetts Legislature

    • The City of Boston Returning Citizens Grant

    • The Columbus Foundation

    • The Boston Foundation’s Open Door Grant

    • Public support via the New England Innocence Project

  • Impacting the Community: Just a few of the things the Exoneree Network has been able to provide for people and families in the community:

    • Immediate financial support

    • Rental subsidies/Emergency Housing

    • Laptops

    • Phones & Phone Plans

    • Technology Trainings

    • Cognitive Behavioral Theory training

    • Couples Support training

    • Family and Partner Healing Circles

    • Speaking fees

    • Transportation

    • Support to obtain benefits, identification, and medical services

  • Raising Awareness: The Exoneree Network has made great strides in formalizing the program and using their platform to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and the long and difficult journey exonerees and freed people face upon release, including:

    • Solidifying its mission and vision

    • Launching the official EN social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram

    • Hosting a logo contest and finalizing their new official EN logo

    • Participating in speaking opportunities and events to talk about the work of the Exoneree Network on a regular basis

    • Participating in media interviews to help amplify their stories and talk about issues that impact people returning from long-term incarceration

    • Advocating for their fellow community members by showing up to court hearings to lend their support

    • Working toward the goal of ensuring all exonerees and freed people know they are not alone and have access to support upon their release