Fred Patrick, longtime advocate for the formerly incarcerated, passes away

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By Zach Williams

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The director of the Vera Institute of Justice Center on Sentencing and Correction has died. Louisiana native Fred Patrick first joined Vera in 2012 as part of the effort to expand higher education opportunities for incarcerated people. He was promoted to director of the nonprofit three years later. He also worked as an executive at the Fortune Society and as deputy commissioner for planning and programs at the New York City Department of Correction, among other roles. “There are thousands of people throughout the country who are thriving today because of Fred’s work,” reads a post on the Vera Institute website. 

A public memorial service will be held in the fall. People interested in receiving an announcement of where and when should send an email to HonoringFred@vera.org. 

 

The Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative has awarded $316,000 in grants to 10 nonprofits. The money will benefit conservation efforts in the Long Island Sound, according to a press release. A total of 12 members of the collaborative contributed the funding for the following grants:

  • The Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound received $60,000 to develop data visualization tools and strategies to inform management of the Sound.
  • Chesapeake Commons got $60,000 to advance data tools addressing pollution.
  • Earthplace/Harbor Watch received $40,000 to advance data tools addressing pollution.
  • Sound Waters won $10,000 to install and operate a trash skimmer in Stamford Harbor.
  • The Sound School got $9,000 to create oyster habitat and reef balls in New Haven Harbor. 
  • Group for the East End will use $10,000 to manage native plants at Hallock State Park.
  • Guardians of Flushing Bay plan to use $25,000 to support a new organization to protect an urban water body of the Sound.
  • The University of Connecticut is using $47,000 to develop a green stormwater infrastructure installation and maintenance certification program for municipal government. 
  • Henry Ferguson Museum won $15,000 to restore seagrass in the coastal waters surrounding Fishers Island.
  • The Trust for Public Land received $40,000 to build a participatory design program for waterfront resiliency in Bridgeport.

 

About 200 people attended the opening of a new pop-up art museum in midtown Manhattan on June 27. “All ACCESS” is a collaborative work among a group of New York City-based artists that aims to highlight how art can inspire “community power,” according to a press release. The nonprofit Human Impacts Institute designed and curated the exhibit, which will remain open throughout July and is currently at the offices of the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (151 W 30th St. Suite 11).

“Using art to bolster the conversation around community justice is a natural outflow from our work across New York,” NYLPL Deputy Development Director Geneva Morris, who is running the show, said in the press release. “We’re excited to reach new audiences and have more conversations about how our work can inspire and reshape the city for the better.”

 

The Alliance for Positive Change is deploying a van to provide HIV/AIDS services. Funding for the mobile outreach program comes from the New York City Council, according to a press release. Testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse and other health care systems will be provided on board.

 

There is a new senior vice president for policy and program at United Hospital Fund. Chad Shearer is taking on the role after serving as vice president for policy and director of the Medicaid Institute. In his new role, Shearer will lead policy and program initiatives at UFH, according to a press release. 

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