The Phoenix Initiative

Rising Beyond Incarceration

Make a Donation

LOT JI Graduates As Of Spring 2025

Recommended & Supported Key Community Leaders

  • Chief of Police – Jon Thum
  • Mayor Paul TenHaken
  • Minnehaha States Attorney – Daniel Haggar
  • Drug and DUI court Judges
Skills, relationships, and Confidence

Rising Beyond Incarceration

Phoenix Initiative empowers justice-impacted individuals to reclaim their voice, grow their potential, and lead with purpose. Much like the LOT Justice Impacted program, we believe in second chances, meaningful transformation, and the power of leadership rooted in lived experience.

What We Do

  • A 16-week leadership course in a classroom-style format that equips participants with personal and professional development tools, mindset shifts, and life skills.
  • Focus areas include communication, self-confidence, career readiness, relational skills, conflict resolution, and community engagement.
  • Participants commit to at least 80% attendance and are encouraged to build and stay active with a growing network of graduates.

Make a Donation

Unlock your higher potential

Why it matters

Graduates of LOT JI show higher success rates in completing diversion programs, probation, and drug/DUI court processes — plus more stable employment and long-term sobriety. These outcomes underscore how leadership training rooted in justice-impacted experience can unlock real change.

Our Logo & Story

The Phoenix Initiative logo was designed by Joseph One Skunk, a currently incarcerated individual who has undergone the LOT Behind the Walls program. His work symbolizes rising, resilience, and the capacity for transformation even in the most challenging circumstances.

Get Involved

Your support enables us to provide mentorship, training, and opportunities, allowing participants to rebuild their lives and uplift their communities.

  • Apply if you’re justice impacted, know someone who is, or work within the justice system and want to be part of this change.
  • Partner or donate to help us expand our reach.

Phoenix Initiative: where leadership isn’t given — it’s awakened.

Apply for LOT JI Here

$5,000 Donor / Community Match

It started with a powerful act of leadership — from behind the walls. 💡
One graduate from our Leaders of Tomorrow Justice Impacted (LOTJI), now known as the Phoenix Initiative, made a $25 donation from prison to ensure others could experience the same life-changing growth.

Think about that. Even with limited means, they invested in someone else’s chance to grow. That’s not just generosity — that’s legacy.

The Phoenix Initiative program empowers individuals who have been in, know someone who has been impacted, or work within the justice system to reclaim their voice, grow their skills, and lead with purpose.

Now it’s your turn to lead.

Join the movement by matching his $25 donation — or give more if you can.

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