Day of Empathy 2026: The Stories Power Can No Longer Ignore

Reflections from Second Chance Month and Day of Empathy Across 14 States

by Sean Wilson, Dream.Org's Senior Director of Organizing and Partnerships

Every year, Dream.Org has the privilege to host the nation’s largest day of action for criminal justice reform, the Day of Empathy. In 2026, we co-hosted events in 14 states alongside our State Empathy Network leaders, members, and local partners. We gathered more than 500 participants over 100 legislative visits, with 40+ legislators brought together for conversations about justice reform rooted in truth, accountability, and possibility. 

As I reflect on my own firsthand experience in Wisconsin and the thoughts of our Day of Empathy leads across the country, one thing became clear:

This year was about the stories power can no longer ignore. 

Stories from leaders directly impacted by the criminal justice system, family members, advocates, and community partners who walked into legislative offices, state capitols, and community spaces across 14 states carrying the truth of what the justice system has meant in their lives.

Again and again, our leaders shared how Day of Empathy created space for directly impacted people to be heard, not as statistics or talking points, but as experts in the realities of the systems we are working to change.

Selena Coomer, our Kentucky Empathy Network Leader, said it best: 

“Day of Empathy (DOE) is the best day of the year in Kentucky. There is nothing better than directly impacted people and legislators coming together for one solution. Uplifting both voices is so important, and DOE allows us to do that.”

This reflection captures what so many leaders echoed in their experiences and as we make our way through Second Chance Month, I want to reflect on what redemption, accountability, and opportunity truly mean, and how it showed up for Day of Empathy. 

In Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to witness directly impacted people sit across from lawmakers, speak from lived experience, and allow policy conversations to become personal. 

There is something deeply powerful about watching these individuals and their families step into spaces of power and tell the truth about what they and their communities have lived through.

Wisconsin felt the impact of these stories firsthand. Their voices helped build the momentum that contributed to Governor Tony Evers restoring commutations and advancing bipartisan legislation to expand pre-release Medicaid-supported health care, including case management,medication-assisted treatment, and prescription access for eligible people leaving jail and prison, all to support safer reentry.

That is what happens when lived experience is not pushed to the margins but brought directly into policy spaces. You can feel the courage in the room. You can also feel the possibility.

Our Wisconsin Empathy Network Leader, Jen Ann Bauer shared:

“Day of Empathy reminds me that lived experience belongs in policy spaces and that our stories can shape real legislative conversations.”

Beyond Wisconsin, across the country, our Day of Empathy leaders elevated the issues most urgent in their own states.

Bernice Singh, our Empathy Network Leader in California, was focused on advancing juvenile justice. 

“Every child that enters the justice system is more than their worst mistake. Empathy doesn’t excuse harm. It creates the space for accountability, healing, and a second chance.”

Washington state also dove into the realm of juvenile justice by advocating for the Judicial Discretion Act. Empathy Network Leaders Charles Longshore and Izzy Eads demonstrated what real movement-building looks like. Their Day of Empathy brought together more than 100 people with over 40 legislative visits in a single day, even as the city hosted a parade honoring the Super Bowl Champions. The infrastructure, relationships, and leadership built this year positioned us strongly for the next session.

In Michigan, our Empathy Network Leader, Shawana, shared that their advocacy goals centered on the conditions inside state prisons and creating space for conversations on healing, growth, and a future that is not permanently defined by one mistake.

Other states focused on smarter supervision, fairness in accountability, family stability, and policies that reduce unnecessary harm.

One of Arizona’s bills received a Senate hearing shortly after their Day of Empathy event, a notable achievement for a bill introduced for the first time this year and a strong indicator that education and direct engagement are shifting the conversation. But what came through most clearly in the feedback was the sense of community these events create.

“It is always amazing to see people come together and build community on the Day of Empathy. They come with heart and passion and courageously tell their stories to the people in power. It is inspiring, empowering, and super motivating,” said Kara Janssen from Arizona. 

It also reinforced that none of this work happens alone. National and local advocacy leadership and partnerships continue to be essential to advancing criminal justice reform.

This is why our Empathy Network continues to matter. It is a space where lived experience is welcomed and recognized as leadership. And where people impacted by the system turn their experiences into advocacy, organizing, and real policy influence through events like Day of Empathy.

Emilee Shell from Mississippi reflected:

“Being an Empathy Network Leader means I turn lived experience into real change, making sure folks impacted by the system are heard and respected. I help connect our communities to the people in power so our voices actually matter.”

Alongside our Empathy Network Leaders, the collaboration between Dream.Org’s national work and the critical organizing happening locally with partners like the Minnesota Freedom Fund remind us that this movement is strengthened when we move together.

To every organization, leader, legislator, and community member that are too many to name, who participated this month, thank you. We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped mobilize the Day of Empathy events across the country. Second chances become real when people create the conditions for them and over these last two months, our leaders have done exactly that.

And their reflections continue to remind us of the truth in the heart of this work and what Second Chance Month is truly about: what is possible when lived experience leads.