128: Formerly Incarcerated and Now She’s Supporting Other Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Their Children

This week’s episode of the 1 Girl Revolution Podcast features Vanessa Garrett, Reentry and Reunification Program Manager of Motherhood Beyond Bars. You recently heard about Motherhood Beyond Bars from the Executive Director of MBB, Amy Ard (Episode 126 of the 1 Girl Revolution Podcast), but Vanessa brings another perspective as a formerly incarcerated woman on the importance of their work and the experiences of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Vanessa brings experience, passion, and a deep understanding of the needs of mothers and children impacted by the criminal legal system to her role at Motherhood Beyond Bars. For the past nine years, Vanessa has worked with justice-impacted mothers and used her experience to help women navigate the myriad obstacles they face coming out of incarceration. She is a paralegal with concentrations in criminal law, business law, and family law. Vanessa is fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language and is a Certified Natural Grower. She enjoys spending her free time in the garden and enjoying homegrown fruits and vegetables. Vanessa was incarcerated for 8 years and two days. She was incarcerated right before her daughter turned 1 year old and right before her son turned 10 -- and got out just in time to see her son graduate high school. Now Vanessa is using her own personal experience to help other women through Motherhood Beyond Bars.  In this episode, you’ll hear: Vanessa’s powerful life story;  Her experience in incarceration and what incarcerated mothers face ; The story of how she got out and got connected with Motherhood Beyond Bars; About her work with Motherhood Beyond Bars and how her own life and experiences have helped her in her work with Motherhoodbeyondbars;  And more. For more information, check out: }www.1GirlRevolution.com/VanessaMBB