Trouble reading this email? View as a webpage.

July 13, 2026

Venue for our annual picnic, scheduled for August 29, 2026.

Annual EJP Picnic Near Kankakee

It's been a couple of years since we hosted an annual picnic, and we're looking forward to reviving the tradition.

All EJP members, friends, family members, and interested others are invited to join us at an airbnb near Kankakee State Park from 12 - 4 on Saturday August 29. We've purposely planned the event for a location midway between Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Springfield in hopes that members from far and wide will be able to join.

There are few opportunities for large numbers of EJP members to meet up in person. I hope you can attend, and bring a friend! The airbnb is on a large piece of land, so plan to enjoy outdoor games or enjoy the comfort of the many indoor spaces in the cabin, pictured above. EJP will provide grilled burgers and lots of other food. I hope to see you there!

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director

Upcoming EJP Events

EJP Becoming a Center

Tues July 14
3 - 4pm Central
Hybrid

We hold monthly updates on the progress we are making towards becoming a center at UIUC. It's been a long journey and becoming a center (as opposed to a research project) has many implications.

Upcoming updates are scheduled for:

Tuesday July 14, 3 - 4pm - tomorrow!

Thursday August 27, 4 -5pm

You're welcome to share your questions and concerns on the RSVP form, link below, so we can be sure to address them at the meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Alumni Fellows Info Session

Tues July 14

5 - 6 pm Central
Hybrid

We are inviting applications from EJP alumni who would like to serve as EJP Alumni Fellows. Selected applicants will be a part of a two-year cohort serving from August 2026 to July 2028. 

The application deadline is Friday July 31, 2026.

How Can You Learn More?

-Attend a Zoom info session on 

Tuesday July 14, 2026, 5pm - 6pm. You'll be able to talk to current fellows about their experiences. Zoom link below.

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/85482570335?pwd=fYyBmYUnf6oHPjdX9doVlUPBjc8oNl.1

-Read the application form, which provides more information about criteria, alumni fellow activities, and compensation. Link to the application form is below.

Volunteers Needed!

Reentry Simulation

Oct 10, 2026

in Person


EJP and the Restorative Justice Initiative at Penn State University are co-hosting a Reentry Simulation with the purpose of exposing structures and systems that create barriers after incarceration. 

Location: The University YMCA (1001 S Wright Street, Champaign Urbana)

Date: October 10, 2026

Volunteer Timeframe: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

If you are interested in volunteering with setup, station roles, acting as a floater, or takedown and clean up, please sign up below. You do not have to be an EJP member to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Chrissy Ferree at

cferr3@illinois.edu

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

EJP August Lunch

Thursday August 20

12 -1pm Central

Hybrid

Join EJP for the last EJP lunch of summer. All welcome.

Join in person at our offices at 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, 2nd floor or via Zoom.

(Zoom attendees are welcome to join at 12:10, as it takes a few minutes for those in person to serve themselves and be seated.)

Lunch is on EJP and there are always veggie and vegan options.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Community Anti-Violence Education (CAVE) Seeks New Members

Deadline: Nov. 15, 2026

EJP is seeking new members for CAVE, a peer-driven anti-violence education group at Danville Correctional Center.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis through November 15th, 2026. We encourage interested individuals to apply sooner rather than later, so they can become engaged with CAVE in the fall 2026 semester.

If you have an interest in anti-violence programs and restorative justice, we encourage you to apply! More information available in the link below.

EJP Annual Picnic

Saturday August 29

12 - 4pm

In Person

RSVP for our annual EJP picnic! This year we're holding the picnic in Custer Park, Illinois, just outside Kankakee River State Park at a private Airbnb, pictured above. There will be plenty of room for outdoor and indoor activities. Families and friends are warmly invited.

EJP will provide grilled burgers (veggie and non-veggie), drinks, snacks, and salads. We invite you to bring your own dish to share if you like.

Children are welcome. Like all EJP events, the picnic is alcohol-free.

There is a wheelchair accessible entrance into the rec room in the basement of the cabin, with tables, chairs, and a bathroom.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

EJP Member Announcements

Are you an EJP member looking for weekly announcements? Please look for member announcements in your Bamboo mailbox instead of being linked to this newsletter, as they were formerly.

Paid Positions with EJP

Some EJP positions can be held virtually, some are hybrid, and some (those based at Danville Prison) require that an individual be able to regularly visit the prison. Our preference is always to hire local individuals and we especially seek candidates who have personal experience of incarceration. Click on the links below to see complete job descriptions. Most positions based at the prison are part-time.