Miles of Freedom

10/29/2026

Can you reach your goals by yourself… or does everybody need somebody? 🚐⁣
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Swipe to ride along with us on the way to the unit.⁣
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Every other Wednesday, the MILES of Freedom team drives to a Texas unit for our pre-release program, where we help residents get ready for life after release: planning, problem-solving, money skills, and building the team they'll need when they come home.⁣
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This week's answer from the van: nobody does it alone.⁣
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What's YOUR one word for teamwork? Drop it below 👇⁣
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Next ride: Wednesday, Nov. 4⁣
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10/29/2026

Gary Tyler was 16 when he was arrested in Louisiana. A year later, he was the youngest person on the state’s death row, and he maintained his innocence the whole time. He spent 41 years at Angola. That’s where he learned to quilt.

Now 68, Gary tells his life story through fabric. His quilts include the photo his brother took a month after his arrest and the gesture he made at trial to give his supporters hope. Some show the faces of people who are still inside. “Gary Tyler: Rebirth,” his first solo museum exhibition, is on view at the Grand Rapids Art Museum through Jan. 3.

MILES of Freedom has hosted Arts of Oppression since 2016 for artists like Gary. It gives artists impacted by the justice system a stage and an income. Art can’t give those years back, but it can make sure people see them.

Read the full story via NPR.

A quilt artist who spent decades on death row now has his first solo exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

10/27/2026

The day someone comes home, they can face a long list of needs at once: ID, housing, food, a phone, computer skills, and a job that will look past a record.

MILES of Freedom meets the needs of all those impacted by the justice system, pre- and post-release. We offer case management, housing referrals, tech access, and job readiness skills. The MILES of Freedom MLK Food Pantry is open with no zip code or income restrictions. Paid work training leads to job placement. Our Lawn Care Service creates jobs and skills training. Financial literacy workshops build life skills. Our pre-release program provides support before release.

In 2025, 600+ people received one-on-one case management at M*F. That’s how lives get rebuilt. These are the faces of prison to promise. 💜

10/26/2026

Part 2 of our Small Engine Repair Training is in the books, made possible by the Truist Foundation.

This time, our Lawn Service crew took on carburetors. They took them apart piece by piece, cleaned out the rust and buildup, checked every float, jet, and gasket, and rebuilt them by hand.

These are skills our crew can carry into any job, and they keep our equipment running and reduce repair costs. That matters because 100% of the revenue from our Lawn Service goes right back into the MILES of Freedom mission. Every booking supports paid transitional employment, hands-on workforce training, and pathways to stability.

Thank you, Truist Foundation, for investing in workforce development and economic mobility at MILES of Freedom. One more session to go! 💜

10/24/2026

Larry Ramirez sees the world in fine detail.

During incarceration, he developed a deep passion for drawing, studying the faces of people, the movement of animals, and the lines of buildings. Today his art blends realistic portraiture with an eye for the structure and flow of architecture, all while exploring connection, space, and the human form.

His pieces were featured at our 8th Annual Arts of Oppression exhibit and auction this month, where the majority of every sale goes to the artists and their families.

Interested in a piece? Send us a DM and we’ll connect you.

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

10/20/2026

This year, we're proud to present the Aubrey Lewis Jones Service Award in the organization category to Big Reform Movement!

This award honors our late co-founder, Aubrey Jones, who spent his life revolutionizing reentry by visiting prisons, driving the shuttle van, and running our lawn service.

Big Reform Movement was founded by Keidrain Brewster, a TEDx speaker, certified Reentry Peer Support Specialist, and entrepreneur. After serving nearly 13 years in prison, Keidrain earned his CDL and built a multimillion-dollar trucking company. Today, he speaks in prisons, colleges, and communities nationwide. His EAT Framework (Education, Application, Transformation) helps people turn pain into purpose.

Join us as we honor Big Reform Movement at our 14th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 14, at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel.

🎟️ Become a sponsor or purchase a ticket today: bit.ly/42AHUKr

10/19/2026

Earlier this month, our founder and CEO, Richard Miles, joined Centurion - Freedom for the Innocent in New York for its 2026 Gala, a night celebrating courage, restored lives, and the brighter futures of the men and women Centurion has freed.

Since 1983, Centurion has fought for innocent people serving life or death sentences. Its reinvestigation of Richard’s case helped bring him home on October 12, 2009.

Thank you, Centurion, for never giving up on the innocent, and for the work you continue to do for people wrongfully convicted and the families waiting for them to come home.

10/17/2026

Four weeks from tonight, Dallas shows up for second chances. 🎟️

On Saturday, November 14, join us at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel for MILES of Freedom's 14th Anniversary Celebration. Under this year’s theme, Be the Change, we’ll celebrate the people rebuilding their lives and the community standing with them.

Damon West will deliver the keynote, followed by a conversation moderated by NBC DFW's Cleo Greene. We’ll also honor the 2026 Aubrey Lewis Jones Service Award recipients.

MILES of Freedom has served nearly 4,000 justice-impacted people. Every ticket and sponsorship helps us reach the next person coming home.

Save your seat: https://bit.ly/42AHUKr

Already have your ticket? Invite someone who should be in the room.