About the Founder

 Leonna A. Brandao, a Social Worker whose studies and work included Community and Public Services, Leonna used her services in the field of Social Work, revolving around families, children and adolescents. She, further, spent years of devotion to the understanding of the rise and fall of problematic individuals and approaches to the resolutions of conflict.  

Following her own family tragedy, involving her only child, whom in his final year of a four year college term and suffering from severe depression, fatally shot someone, she learned that tragedy, like lightening can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time.  She found herself in a position, as many families, who suffered an overwhelming loss.  Understanding the causes, observing the results, knowing the resolutions and yet, not having the opportunity to bring it to the surface, the appropriate government leaders, the public, the media or even the other family.    

Leonna subsequently, decided to travel in order to broaden her views on cultures and   behaviors.  She attended a Mayan Indian School, "Centro Maya De Idiomas ", in the mountains of Quetzeltenango, Guatemala, Central America, and studied the language and culture of the Mayan Indians. Following her six-month stay there, she traveled to El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, meeting new friends and regaining personal recognition of herself.  She ultimately, moved to Ghana, West Africa, where she worked with severe tumor patients in various regions of Ghana. 

After returning to the States in 1996, Leonna continued working in the health care profession, while advocating for prison reform.  In the year 2002, Leonna decided to put her writing skills to use in her philosophical views on national issues involving the need for consistencies and reform in prisons throughout the nation.  Leonna has written and self-published ten books on her philosophical views of prison issues and the need for churches to become more involved in the crusade to end violence in the communities, prisons and in the country.    As Leonna became more aware of the abuses, deprivations, harassments, provocations and lack of appropriate medical and psychological care within the penal system, she ceased writing books and put all her energy and efforts into helping prisoners in every area and to fight for prison reform.  Although advocating for individuals on Death Row, those serving long-term or Life sentences and soon to be released men, women and youth, Leonna has an even greater focus and that has been to end abuses and deprivations of ANY human being in America and around the globe. 

God and God, Alone, is the Judge. It is God who will decide what sentence an Offender will receive. It is God, who will decide who the real offenders are. We do NOT have the right to judge, to take vengeance or to take the life of anyone, neither in the free world or in the prisons. 

 

John and his Mom

God carried me when I was at my lowest peak. He knew I couldn't make it on our own. The pain was too severe. The loss, unbearable.

John was a four year college student, shy of one subject to obtain his degree. He was never involved with the law. Never involved with drugs or alcohol. Always studying or working with little time for fun.

He was well-liked and respected by many, for his mannerism. He trusted everyone. Until he learned the hard way, not everyone was like him. Deception and pain, can spoil a heart, spirit and mind. In this case as with many, there were two sides to a story. We must all remember, the heart is not one to play with. Racism can kill the spirit. When mixed with deception by those you love, it can destroy a man, a heart, a spirit and a soul.