Lara Sedaghat 
Founding Executive Director

Lara Sedaghat has been a dedicated advocate and friend to trauma-impacted and currently and formerly incarcerated people for over a decade. She is determined on transforming public perceptions around incarcerated people, breaking the cycle of trauma, healing, ending the prison system, and teaching the importance of love, kindness, and respect.

 

Lara has worked with California Prison Focus, a nonprofit that works to end human rights abuses against incarcerated people; the Human Rights Pen Pal Program, a project of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition (PHSS) whose goals are to amplify the voices of people imprisoned in long-term solitary confinement; led re-entry career workshops in San Quentin State Prison's EOP H-Unit; created cover letter curriculum for Last Mile Org, a program that assists incarcerated individuals prepare for re-entry through business and technology; and collaborated with California Re-entry Program, Hustle 2.0, Project Rebound, and Just Us 4 Youth to provide resumes, housing, and mentorship to upcoming and recently paroled individuals.

 

Lara works hard to cease the cycle of "hurt people hurt people," and envisions a world where the phrase "if you can't help someone, don't hurt them," is honored.