JustDane

Founded in 1973, JustDane (d.b.a. of Madison-area Urban Ministry) is an interfaith social justice organization. JustDane is focused on both advocacy and support for individuals and families impacted by the justice system, including programs for children who have an incarcerated parent and individuals returning to the community after a period of incarceration. Our mission "JustDane helps transform individual lives and social systems to create a just and equitable community." Our vision is "a community where everyone has a chance to succeed. Guided by our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Forgiveness and Courage we join our voices with others in our community in the call for racial and economic justice, recognizing that we must have the courage to speak out against oppression in all its forms, and that, in the words of William Sloan Coffin "compassion and justice are companions, not choices."

We focus on programs that support individuals and families impacted by incarceration, including mentoring with youth who have an incarcerated caregiver, Circles of Support for individuals newly released from prison and jail, Peer Support and Resource Specialist support through our Journey Home program. Our Just Bakery program offers vocational training in commercial baking for individuals who have significant barriers to employment and training, including prior conviction history, mental health and/or substance abuse challenges, homelessness, etc... the program is 12 weeks, 40 hours per week and students can earn 12 credit hours at Madison College. Healing House offers 24/7 recuperative shelter for families experiencing homelessness and who have a family member being discharged from the hospital.