NEWS
California jails are holding thousands fewer people, but far more are dying in them
“Some of California’s deadliest jails are in Riverside County, where 45 people have died since Jan. 1, 2021 […] Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged almost five years ago that the state would take a stronger hand to prevent deaths in the 57 jail systems run by California county sheriffs. In every year since, more people have died in California jails than when Newsom made that pledge — hitting a high of 215 in 2022. Tulare, San Diego, Kern, Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ jails set records.” Read more at CalMatters.
Why Riverside County must dismantle the coroner-sheriff relationship
Distrust, significant risk of bias, and lack of transparency are growing issues within the combined sheriff/coroner’s office. Read an opinion piece by Starting Over, Inc. director Vonya Quarles on the need to separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner’s offices.
With a Power-Building Approach to Housing in California, a Pooled Fund Evolves and Expands
Starting Over, Inc., is an example of how the fund is ensuring that organizations from across the state both receive support and help guide the fund's work. The organization provides transitional housing and reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals in Riverside County, which is part of the Inland Empire region. It also engages in advocacy and civic engagement.”
Riverside County to study separating coroner from Sheriff’s Department
On December 5th, after hearing from impacted community (including Lisa Matus, whose son died in Riverside custody, and Vonya Quarles, director of Starting Over), the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to conduct a study on separating the Sheriff and Coroner’s office. Separating these offices is a long-awaited step toward closure and accountability for the families of community members who died in custody.
Our homes are no place for racism or policing!
Human Impact Partners: A reflection on a major victory, and the collaboration that led us there
Amid jail deaths and lawsuits, groups urge Riverside County supervisors to rein in sheriff
Along with IE community organizations and affected family members, we gathered at the Riverside Board of Supervisors meeting on October 31st to demand the Board hold the Riverside Sheriff’s Department accountable for killings, violence, extortion, and other harms committed against our community.
Vonya Quarles Honored as Champion for Justice by Fair Housing Council of Riverside County
On Thursday, October 12th, Vonya Quarles, Executive Director of Starting Over, Inc. was honored as one of six Champions for Justice at the Riverside Convention Center. The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County recognizes recipients “as those who have championed the causes of the poor, disabled, seniors, youth and individuals from various ethnic groups in our communities. These individuals have also made personal sacrifices so that justice prevails.” - The Press Enterprise
Advocates Call for End to Discriminatory Housing Policies
On August 1st, community members gathered in front of Riverside City Hall to demand an end to Riverside’s discriminatory Crime-Free Multi Housing program. This program is mandatory for most housing providers and includes a lease addendum putting tenants at risk of eviction if they are suspected of committing a crime.
California DOJ launches investigation into Riverside Sheriff’s Department
As a result of the request Starting Over, Riverside All Of Us or None, and ACLU SoCal sent in 2021, Attorney General Bonta announced an investigation into the Riverside Sheriff’s department. Starting Over is honored to partner with impacted families in this advocacy work and hope that this will bring answers, accountability, and change to RSD.
Bank of America Grant to support Path to SEED Program
Starting Over, Inc.’s new community partnership with Bank of America will provide skills trainings, coaching, job opportunities, and more to justice-impacted community members who are often overlooked by employers.
PRESS RELEASE: Dear Mama Rally & Caravan to Support Mothers
With over 40 community members, we rallied at the Edelman Children’s Courthouse in LA in support of mothers impacted by family separation through incarceration or the child welfare system.
Two recent bills (AB 1869 and AB 177) eliminated a total of 40 criminal justice system fees in California!
“[Reports] showed LA was collecting just 4 percent of more than $100 million in court debts, while expending a “significant amount of resources” to — unsuccessfully — collect those debts.”
The Imprint: Advocates and Officials Press Case for Overhauling Key Adoption and Child Welfare Law
Read about our January 18th rally at California’s capitol to #TransformCPS. “Billed as the first protest of its kind in California, attendees at the Jan. 18 rally united in one particularly urgent appeal: Pressure state lawmakers to push back against a federal law that incentivizes adoption with federal funds and, they say, places unreasonable timelines and barriers on families who are already facing difficulties.”
Press Enterprise Op-Ed: CA Attorney General needs to investigate the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
“We can’t wait any longer as the RSD continues to disregard the well-being of our communities. It is imperative that AG Bonta act now to ensure justice and accountability for all those who have been and continue to be harmed by the RSD.”
SB354 becomes law, keeping more children in the foster system to be placed with relatives
After 2 years of organizing, our bill was signed into California law, keeping more children currently in foster care with family members over strangers. This bill eases the barriers that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and Latinx families’ abilities to be with their loved ones. Read more about our FREE Project here.
Activist groups ask CA Attorney General to Investigate Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept
Along with ACLU of Southern California and Riverside All Of Us or None, we sent a letter sent to the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of families and individuals who have lost loved ones to Riverside sheriff deputy violence, requesting an investigation into RSD’s racist policing practices, rampant patrol and jail deaths, and refusal to comply with court orders.Along with ACLU of Southern California and Riverside All Of Us or None, we sent a letter sent to the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of families and individuals who have lost loved ones to Riverside sheriff deputy violence, requesting an investigation into RSD’s racist policing practices, rampant patrol and jail deaths, and refusal to comply with court orders.
Riverside Sheriff’s Department Gets Millions Meant for COVID Relief
The ACLU Foundation of Southern California, Riverside All of Us or None, and Starting Over Inc. filed complaints with federal officials asking them to exercise their oversight authority and recover the CARES Act funds allocated to the sheriff’s department so they can be reallocated to services and programs specifically related to the pandemic.
People With Mental Illness Face Dangers During + After Police Encounters
Riverside County community member Darik Schaaf is facing a life sentence for experiencing a mental health crisis. Darik needs to come home to get the support and treatment he needs. Sign and share a petition for him here.