the 'more than' collection
LEAP’s More Than Project calls for the restoration of human dignity for formerly incarcerated women by emphasizing that we are all more than our past and more than any label.
We have developed a fashion collection with designs aiming to change the narrative and the language used for formerly incarcerated women.
Each design in the ‘More Than’ Collection will be released one in a series of fashion drops which LEAP graduates have helped bring to fruition. Designs are named after LEAP graduates, and each drop will be accompanied by the personal story of the woman it is named after.
introducing
maritza
"It is time to break the stigma associated with prison. We all deserve a second chance, a chance to redeem ourselves. With every woman who recovers and who gets her life back, those chains begin to loosen. Every time someone speaks up, we begin to realize just how many of us are affected, and the stigma starts to fade into the background. And if we allow it, hope will begin to emerge."
"The Danielle" - March 15th
Introducing
Danielle
"Every single one of us have common ground to stand on, if we are open to it. To begin bridging the gap between those who have experienced incarceration and those who have not, we first need to have compassion. Understanding. Empathy. To begin bridging the gap, we need to #unjudge."
INTRODUCING:
NANCY
“Shockingly, what I found in prison were not women who were hardened criminals. What I saw were women who were suffering from abuse, poverty, mental illness, and addiction. These women, many who had never had a chance in life, were not going to get better with punishment. What they needed was love and hope.”
The Angelena - Feb. 14th
Introducing:
angelena
"LEAP has restored my dignity and given me the confidence to see myself as more than a felon and more than a victim. I am more than my past."
The More than project
For 13 years LEAP has been one of the only nonprofits in the country to focus exclusively on supporting formerly incarcerated women heal. LEAP does so by providing education, housing, employment, and Revolutionary Love. Everything that we do at LEAP is rooted in the concept of transformation (hence our Dragonfly symbol!) and Revolutionary Love, a love that can transform systems that undermine, oppress, and degrade others. With Revolutionary Love, we believe that real change is possible.
To us, Revolutionary Love includes a radical transformation in how we view and talk about formerly incarcerated women. We want society to see that the women coming out of prison are mothers, sisters, daughters… humans deserving of compassion, empathy, and opportunity. LEAP seeks to change the narrative for women who have experienced prison through the More Than Project.
More than a fashion show
As part of the More Than Project and in observation of Second Chance Month in April, LEAP hosted ‘More Than a Fashion Show’ where LEAP graduates who modeled our More Than collection and up-cycled Dragonfly fashion from Dragonfly Thrift.
We are beyond grateful to all of our community members who joined LEAP in reaffirming the importance of second chances for women who have experienced incarceration.
Thanks to the generosity and support of our sponsors, attendees and donors, LEAP raised $100,000, reaching our fundraising goal!
Just as important, the event provided a safe and loving space for our graduates to share their stories with over 200 community members and elected officials such as Commissioner Higgins, Senator Book and Senator Pizzo which is in and of itself transformative.
LEAP’s essential in prison programming; the safe transitional home; the secure employment at Dragonfly; the life-long support - these are all made possible by our supporters. We could not do it without you.
More than a fashion show highlights
Checkout more event highlights HERE
Thank you to our Fashion Show sponsors!
PRESENTING
Trulieve; Maria J. Wright
PLATINUM
CGI Merchant Group; Carrie Meek Foundation; Sockel-Stone Family Law; City National Bank
GOLD
Perito Urology; George & Maureen Collins; K.W. Brown P.L.; The Murphy Family; Commissioner Eileen Higgins; Senator Lauren Book & the Lauren's Kids Foundation
SILVER
Jimenez Hart Massitelli; Friedland Law Group; Capital One; April Nicole Creative, Women's Voice Network; Lebrada Nutrition; Terri & John Mason; Uber; Joe Natoli; Erin Rodgers; Chiavacci Family Foundation | Sandra York
BRONZE
Gelber Schachter & Greenberg; United States Capital Source; Samson & Surrey; Holly Woodbury; Nancy Gillespie; Mary McIntosh; Christina & Kevin Supple; Margaret Del Valle; Foster Morales PLLC; House of Lilac; Garcia Family Giving Fund; Bilzin Sumberg
join us
We are all worthy of dignity. We are all worthy of being called by name. At LEAP and Dragonfly Thrift Boutique, we offer hope and resources for women re-entering life after prison. With your help, we can provide our women with the resources and the support necessary to transform their lives. To learn more about our re-entry program, checkout the LEAP website.
Ways you can help today:
1.) Help make second chances the new black by rocking your More Than swag and tagging us on social media with the hashtag #MoreThanProject.
2.) Shop at Dragonfly Thrift - 100% of proceeds benefit LEAP.
3.) Give the gift of education, housing & employment by donating to LEAP.
4.) Learn about more ways you can make a difference get HERE.
