Pardon Me – Free Screening w/ Director Q&A

Join Connections Work and Philadelphia filmmaker Shuja Moore for a special viewing of Pardon Me, a documentary film that shows how pardons offer the potential to live as full citizens and how they uplift entire communities. The film features the stories of people going through the pardon process and includes interviews with key civic leaders. Pardon Me sheds light on the importance of addressing the long-lasting impacts of criminal records and the need for a final release from the criminal justice system.

This event is hosted by Connections Work, the Law Foundation of Berks County, and the Pardon Project of Berks County. Join us to meet and hear from Shuja Moore, view the film, and be part of a panel Q&A following the film.

ABOUT THE FILM:

Pardon Me is a short documentary that presents the case for how pardons can not just give individuals the opportunity to live as full citizens and contribute to their best ability, but help uplift the lower income communities in which they live. The film features two people going through the pardon process, one of whom did receive a pardon, and interviews with key civic leaders.

ABOUT CONNECTIONS WORK

Connections Work is a nonprofit organization in that has been supporting justice-involved individuals since 1975. It is the county’s largest provider of workforce development services for this population, using a case-managed, comprehensive approach that includes strong employer engagement. Since launching a reentry workforce program in the Berks County Jail in 2010, the organization has expanded its services to include programs for individuals on state parole, in treatment courts, with mental illness, young adults, and more. Their flagship initiative, the R3 pre-apprenticeship construction program, is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania. Beyond reentry workforce development programs, they provide digital navigation and contract with Berks County to manage a Pretrial Program, offer supportive services to families and children of justice-involved individuals, operate the Pardon Project of Berks County and a Mental Health Forensic Diversion Program for the Berks County Office of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities.

ABOUT PARDON PROJECT OF BERKS COUNTY

The Pardon Project of Berks County seeks to assist individuals with a criminal record, who have served their sentence (including probation and parole) and are seeking a pardon of their records. The Pardon Project of Berks County connects these individuals with community volunteer Pardon Coaches to aid them in their journey.

A pardon is a powerful tool for people who deserve a second chance. In Pennsylvania, the pardon process is free and more accessible than ever before. The Pardon Project of Berks County was created to help individuals with a criminal record in our community move forward in their lives.