The power of a site visit

One of the lessons Jason learned from many years in the venture capital business was that nothing replaces the learning that comes from due diligence talking to customers about their enthusiasm for a company’s product. In the non-profit world, doing a site visit and seeing the impact firsthand is a critical part of our process for the same reasons. We’ve had the pleasure of sitting with and listening to program participants on campus in high schools, observing transformative programs in prisons, visiting trucking schools and meeting formerly incarcerated folks learning to drive, participating in strategic meetings of senior leaders wrestling with complex challenges, and even cuddling with senior dogs awaiting adoption. There is a visceral feeling you get from the level of engagement of the participants and the passion and enthusiasm of the employees that is a powerful signal of the impact. 

Each of these visits offered a much richer understanding of the unique programming these partners offer and how they approach the complex problems they seek to solve. 

Today we wanted to highlight the impact of one such visit. Earlier this year, we had the chance to visit Barry J Juvenile Hall and Lancaster Prison, hosted by Sam Lewis - a deeply knowledgeable and passionate advocate for the innovation necessary to overhaul the American criminal justice system. Sam runs the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), an organization we are proud to have supported. 

This visit was particularly important to us as our criminal justice innovation portfolio is one of our largest and, as three individuals who have never had direct experience with the criminal justice system, we believe that learning from those with proximate experience is vital. This belief isn’t a new one: Jason has been on several site visits, hosted by different organizations over the years and Ann has provided pro bono support to individuals on death row in the past.

Throughout the day, we sat with young men who were desperate to continue their education and gain access to programming while they awaited their trials and heard from men who had been imprisoned for, sometimes, 20 or 30 years and were preparing for upcoming parole hearings. In one case, one gentleman was preparing to return home about 72 hours after our visit and was full of questions about how things had changed during his time ‘inside.’ These men spoke of their remorse for past actions, a deep desire for personal improvement, and eagerness to positively contribute however they could. In one group, several had just come from taking exams to become certified drug abuse counselors. We also visited an art studio where those on good behavior had the opportunity to explore painting and other fine arts. We actually purchased an amazing work of art by a talented man who had served 25 years and was being released the following week. The proceeds benefited the prison art program and is now hung in the Greenbridge office as a reminder of the work we do every day. 

Toward the end of the day, we visited one housing unit that felt distinct from any other: it was buzzing with energy and purpose. The air was alive with the palpable dedication of trainers working hand-in-paw with rescue dogs, preparing them for a second chance through adoption. The bond between humans and animals was a sight to behold, a testament to the profound impact of rehabilitation and the unbreakable spirit of second chances.

The trainers, despite their circumstances, radiated agency and determination, pouring their hearts into shaping a brighter future for both themselves and their furry companions. Witnessing this symbiotic relationship was like witnessing a spark of hope lighting up the darkness, a tangible reminder that change is not only possible but achievable, even within the confines of a prison.

After learning about  Paws for Life K9 Rescue on our initial prison visit, we wanted to understand their impact and programming more deeply. 

Our second visit to a prison in Vacaville was even more eye-opening as we met with trainers who were working tirelessly to train dogs as service companions for veterans and first responders. The resilience of the human spirit was once again on full display, as these trainers channeled their efforts into providing much-needed support and companionship to those who had sacrificed so much for our communities. We also had the chance to celebrate one trainer’s milestone: after several years, and many failed attempts, he had finally passed the exam to receive his GED. As he shared with the group what this accomplishment meant for him, others called out with words of encouragement and soon much of the group was in tears… proudly supporting each other on this journey of growth, reflection, and service. 

On our trip home, we reflected on how profound that experience had been and how serendipitous it had been to even come across Paws for Life K9 Rescue in the first place. It reinforced for us that, regardless of how thorough one’s research is or how aligned one is with others in similar areas, nothing can replace the lessons and opportunities that come from sitting with partners in person and experiencing their programming firsthand. We hope you will continue your site visits, or prioritize these as part of your granting journey in the future.